Multi-millionaire director Professor David Rhodes flew in from Dublin to call on City fans to back the rescue package.

The Filtronic boss, who has teamed up with his son Julian and chairman Geoffrey Richmond to form the consortium, spoke out publicly for the first time since joining the club's board five years ago.

He said he and his son Julian have ploughed millions into Bradford City, including guarantees worth £7.5 million in March, and are determined to see the club recover.

"We are totally dedicated to the success of this club and we are totally dedicated to the future of it," he told fans. "That was illustrated on Friday when I put up the £400,000 necessary to take the administration through until the end of July.

"Our credentials are that we have supported the club in the background and we will in the future. Make no mistake about it, every effort will be made to ensure this club continues.

"But there are many people involved in this process and they will all have to pull in the right way for the club to succeed."

Gordon Gibb, the theme park boss who is understood to have pulled out of the consortium after the Rhodes family signed up, may yet get involved with the club.

Mr Richmond told fans that relations are still amicable with Mr Gibb, who is in talks about a sponsorship deal, and could be offered a directorship.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't make things work with Gordon in the original deal," said Mr Richmond. "However, we will be having talks next week and we still hope to have him involved."

The chairman also refused to rule out a place for a representative of the newly-formed Bradford City Supporters' Trust on the board.

But he said the trust, which now has almost 200 members, would have to show a willingness to work with the other directors.

"We need to see a supporters' trust that is viable, that has broad support, and is getting positively behind the club," he said. "Then I think we could work together."