Bradford City are planning £25,000 worth of improvement work on their Valley Parade pitch this summer.

The pitch churned up badly at times during an exceptionally wet winter and much of the work will be directed at improving drainage.

Work will start in the next few days on re-seeding, top dressing, sand slitting and the pitch will also be verti-drained.

The pitch was at its worst during January and February, but it improved as it dried out towards the end of the season.

Despite problems with the playing area, City enjoyed a good home record, losing only four of their 23 league matches at Valley Parade.

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "The pitch will not be re-laid, but there will be major work done on it and the time scale is just as tight.

"We have been advised the pitch will be in excellent condition for when we start our Premiership campaign at the beginning of August.

"All pitches suffered last season because of the excessive rain. Our pitch was in a really bad condition for a time, but it recovered well."

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