SIR – As a lifelong supporter of Bradford City FC, I find it unbelievable that we continue on a regular basis to read complaints from visiting teams and officials about the Valley Parade playing area.

We are strengthening the players, bringing larger gates than our opponents, and yet the pitch is in a terrible condition.

Surely the most important thing for a successful club is the playing area itself. It’s all very well to have superb hospitality facilities but I feel this does not help the players on the pitch.

I congratulate the players and staff, particularly Phil Parkinson, but why should he continually have to apologise to his opposite numbers and the media?

So let’s keep faith with the players on their success and spend some money on a decent surface for them to ply their trade.

Gerald A Smith, Bray Close, Bradford