Bradford City fans spoke of their delight after the meeting.

Sharon Berry, 31, of Keighley said: "I am completely elated, it's like promotion all over again. I can't describe how worried I was and I have been in tears throughout most of the meeting.

"It is just amazing what's happened. This is not the end but it's a huge relief. If we had lost this club there would have been an awfully large part of this town gone forever."

Dave Pendleton, former editor of the City Gent Fanzine, said he was relieved that the club had been saved.

"Now I just want to get to the first game of the season and get back playing football," he said.

Ian Rhodes, 60, of Pudsey, said: "I'm obviously just glad that this meeting is over. We've gone through so much over the years something has got to change and this club must be run on common sense. At the moment it is just a feeling of huge relief."

Mick Illingworth, a season-ticket holder for 42 years, on the verge of tears after the stressful meeting spoke of his delight at the decision.

"It is a real relief," he said. "At last the club can go forward and we can start looking forward to the football season again."

John Dewhirst, lifelong City fan and season ticket holder, told the meeting: "The next hurdle is to make this work over the next 24 months."

He added: "We have to give a united front both as Bradford City supporters and as Bradfordians to secure the future of this football club. Today is the first hurdle and there are going to be many more."

He said the club was a vital part of the city. If it ceased to exist, "We would be taking another step towards taking Bradford off the map. It would have massive consequences."

Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls fans sent out a message of support to fans of Bradford City on a crucial day for the club.

Bradford Independent Supporters Association (BISA) chairman Michaela Greasley said: "On behalf of BISA, we wish Bradford City fans the best of luck.

"It would have been a tragedy for the city if the football club went into liquidation.

"We at BISA were delighted that the creditors' meeting came to a satisfactory conclusion for Bantams supporters."

BISA media officer Sam Grundy said: "In 1963, Bradford Northern ceased to exist and without a lot of hard work professional rugby league may have disappeared from Bradford.

"It would have been a catastrophe if the football club were to suffer that fate.

"Bradford City's generosity in allowing the Bulls to play at Valley Parade is much appreciated by us, and the city of Bradford needs both the football club and the rugby league team to be successful.

"This decision for City is a good news story for Bradford."