Ashley Ward today claimed that English football could have been brought to its knees if City had been allowed to sack their

players.

Ward, one of the 16 whose contracts were ripped up in May, believes the dramatic actions of the administrators would have had a damning effect on the domestic game.

Ward is waiting to be reinstated when the club come out of administration although he is still strongly tipped to move on elsewhere.

But the big striker admitted he feared for the consequences if a deal had not been agreed with the Football League and the players' union to keep the squad on.

He said: "We've got to thank the league and the PFA for representing our point of view. The way they have reacted has stopped the game descending into anarchy.

"The repercussions of what was going to happen would have changed the game completely and not for the better. If Bradford had got away with it, about ten other clubs would have done the same by Christmas.

"And then what would stop players doing the same thing? You could have Rio Ferdinand just walking away from his Leeds contract even though he is worth £35m."

The City players were today beginning their third week of pre-season training and Ward feels their professionalism has shone through.

"Everyone has been brilliant to work as hard as they have done after all that's happened.

"It's been a very difficult situation for all the players because we're at a club now that's tried its hardest to sack us.

"It's hardly ideal although for me, the club is about the players and the supporters. And the fans aren't to blame for trying to kick us out."

Ward's future remains in doubt. City still need to slash the wage bill and the targetman would have to be sacrificed - although his estimated £18,000-a-week wages will be a huge stumbling block for any potential buyer.

He said: "I wouldn't bet on anything in football but I think something could get sorted out. But if I am playing for the club next season then I will have no problem giving 100 per cent.

"There is still a lot to play for after last season's disappointment. We will all get over what has gone on and there are plenty of reasons to want to do well for ourselves as well as the team."

City play their first pre-season friendly a week tomorrow at Nicky Law's former club Chesterfield - one of four official warm-up games.

But they dust off the cobwebs and push politics to one side tomorrow with a closed-doors match against Nationwide Conference neighbours Halifax.