Bradford City fans today called on club bosses to help them set up a meeting with the stadium's Asian neighbours to reassure them following recent violence.

Members of the mainly Bangladeshi community living in the streets around Manningham Lane have been on the receiving end of race abuse and violence from away fans during Premiership games.

Now representatives of the home fans - who have not been connected to any of the incidents - want to forge links with local people to show support.

Dave Pendleton, editor of the City Gent fanzine, said he and other long-time Bantams supporters had been shocked by the race hate outbreaks. He hopes to meet Bradford City managing director Shaun Harvey to discuss setting up a meeting with local residents.

Racial attacks on local Asian people have been reported during the visit of Manchester City on March 17 when away fans were arrested for racial abuse; Newcastle on March 31; and on Saturday when 16-year-old Abdul Rahman was allegedly assaulted by Middlesbrough fans.

The teenager said he and friends had regularly been the subject of verbal abuse from travelling fans, but Saturday was the first time he had been physically attacked. He attached no blame to the home fans whom he described as "excellent".

Today, Mr Pendleton said: "You can't legislate for 30 lunatics turning up, which seems to be what happened at the Middlesbrough game, but with the current climate in Bradford it would be nice to try to do something. We need some positive news on the race relations front. The cycle of violence has to be broken somehow."

MrHarvey confirmed he had discussed the issue with Mr Pendleton and he added: "The problems are caused by a small minority - the same people who cause trouble inside the ground - and we'd all be happier if that sort didn't bother coming to football. We already have regular dialogue with members of the local Asian community, who are very supportive of the club. We are now considering the issue and the most constructive way forward."