Peter Beagrie has outlined his determination to extend his Premiership career after agreeing a new one-year deal with Bradford City.

The Bantams' popular wideman signed the contract to keep him at Valley Parade until June 2001 yesterday and is hoping to celebrate in style when City face Chelsea this weekend.

Beagrie joined City for a bargain £50,000 in the summer of 1997 and played a huge part in the club clinching automatic promotion last season.

And although City slipped into the bottom three on Monday following the 1-0 defeat at Southampton, Beagrie is confident they can prove the doubters wrong and avoid relegation in May.

He said: "I was very pleased to sign the new deal and pleasingly, both the manager and the chairman seemed just as delighted. I had a lot of interest from First Division clubs but I want to help Bradford maintain the Premiership status we all worked so hard for last season.

"I see it as a case of a bit of unfinished business because we all believe we can stay up. The club made me a great offer and I was delighted to sign. The deal will replace my current contract which was set to run out this summer.

"I am looking forward to helping Bradford survive in the Premiership."

Beagrie has figured in 17 of City's 20 Premiership games and has scored one goal, a penalty in the opening home game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 34-year-old is one of the more senior members of Paul Jewell's squad but believes he has the capacity to play on for several more years.

He said: "I firmly believe that the two years I spent out injured while with Manchester City is helping me now. If I had played 100 odd games at that stage of my career, maybe I would not be playing as regularly now.

"The manager knows my fitness levels are high and I fully believe there is no reason why this time next year, we cannot sit down again and talk about another extension.

"I always thought that as I got older, I would have to alter my game because I throw myself about a lot.

"Thankfully I believe my minor gymnastic background at school and the fact I am quite supple, have meant I haven't had to change."

City have around 200 tickets left for Saturday's eagerly-anticipated Premiership clash with Chelsea. The tickets are priced at £22 (concessions £15) and chairman Geoffrey Richmond is advising fans to buy them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.