A rescue package to save Bradford City from liquidation may fail because the club's fans don't understand how to vote on the proposal.

The administrators running the club today appealed to season ticket holders to back the deal, drawn up by chairman Geoffrey Richmond and fellow directors David and Julian Rhodes.

It needs to win the backing of a big majority of creditors at a showdown meeting on Thursday.

But it is feared season ticket holders, who could hold the balance of power in the vote, may not turn out in force.

Asked if he was confident the deal would win sufficient backing, Mr Richmond would only say he remained "hopeful".

He stressed the important role that will be played by the fans who have bought season tickets and are entitled to a vote.

"The message to those supporters is please don't waste your vote," said Mr Richmond. "The only thing which is going to reassure the fans about the future is if the vote goes through next Thursday."

As reported in Saturday's Telegraph & Argus, Mr Richmond is in talks with the club's biggest creditor - insurance firm Gerling UK which is owed more than £7 million.

If Gerling fails to back the deal - under which it could receive just 10 pence in every £1 it is due - the votes of City's 7,000-plus season ticket holders and more than 200 small creditors will become decisive.

But administrators Kroll Buchler Phillips fear many fans who have been sent copies of the Company Voluntary Agreement which outlines the deal will not take the opportunity to vote.

Its Leeds office has been handling calls from supporters unable to understand how the voting process works.

Today Mike Moore, joint administrator of the club and partner at Kroll Buchler Phillips, said the deal represented the "best chance" of Bradford City's survival being ensured.

"We would appeal for all creditors to make use of their right to vote, either through the use of their proxy or attendance at Thursday's meeting," he said.

"We appreciate how difficult it has been for supporters and season ticket holders over the recent period having to allow events to unfurl without being able to participate in the club's future.

"The creditors' right to vote for or against the proposals represents their chance to influence the future of Bradford City Football Club. We hope that all creditors support the CVA proposals as we believe that this offers the best chance for the club, not only surviving but having a more secure future."

Tony Niland, of the recently-formed Bradford City Supporters Trust, said it was "absolutely vital" that fans backed the deal.

"We would encourage all supporters to fill in their CVA forms and send them back as soon as possible if they cannot attend the meeting," he said. "It is crucial for the future of the club that this deal succeeds."

Former City Gent fanzine editor Dave Pendleton, an outspoken critic of Mr Richmond, also urged fans to vote in favour of the plan, saying he believed it was the only feasible option for the club.