Geoffrey Richmond has told anonymous critics to go "a long way from Valley Parade" after receiving poison-pen letters about Bradford City's precarious position.

The Bantams were pushed closer to the drop by a 2-1 weekend defeat by Southampton which leaves Paul Jewell's men six points adrift of both Wimbledon and Derby.

Richmond is fulsome in his praise of what he describes the "overwhelming majority of fans who are pulling together" as City battle to avoid relegation.

But the City chief has also revealed he has received several anonymous letters from supporters angry at City's position in the bottom three of the Premiership.

He said: "The only way forward is for the club and every component - players, fans and staff - to stick together. Anything less and that will make a very difficult task impossible. There has always been a pattern in my time here of the snipers coming out of the woodwork during difficult times. Some of the snipers, to their credit, are visible.

"But there is a little army of vermin that are not visible and send their views in without a name or address. I think these people should take their support to other neighbouring football clubs. They should go a long way from Valley Parade.

"I want to stress we are only talking about a handful. The best advice over anonymous letters is not to read them but human nature dictates otherwise. Some are particularly abusive.

"I fully respect the right of any individual to criticise myself, the manager or the players. All letters with a name and an address will be answered. Any supporter who wants to telephone me, I will take the call and speak to them.

"I have to say the overwhelming majority of fans are behind the club. Already 7,000 fans have renewed season tickets for next season.

City have announced that the Banqueting Suite bar will be open for supporters attending tomorrow night's reserve clash against Liverpool.

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