Amidst all the new optimism following the arrival of new boss Stuart McCall and new joint-chairman Mark Lawn, it is easy to forget how gloomy things looked only a few months ago.

City were heading for League Two without any sign of new investment and many fans thought the idea of McCall coming back was purely wishful thinking.

The necessary sale of Jermaine Johnson and the loan of Dean Windass was a sign that City's lack of finance was still acute and supporters were genuinely worried about whether the club could survive another relegation on the back of twice going into administration.

It was against this backdrop of doubt that dedicated fan Nick Kitchen decided to act.

He began collecting signatures outside the Intersonic Stadium on match-days for a petition asking Bradford Council for support.

The Bantams-mad 28-year-old from Eldwick has in the region of 1,000 signatures, having also spent numerous hours in Keighley town centre for the cause, and is now ready to hand in his list.

"As a fan I just wanted to do something," said Kitchen, who has been a season-ticket holder for more than ten years.

"I am so happy now we have a new investor helping us out and that the season ticket campaign is underway, but nothing is 100 percent guaranteed in life, it never is.

"I would like to think the council could give financial backing if it were needed."

"The club is a huge part of Bradford as a whole and is an asset to the city."

The subject of council funding to help the club purchase the ground back from Gordon Gibb's family pension fund was brought up by City Supporters Trust chairman Alan Carling at the fans' forum last week.

He raised the suggestion that some of the £58 million going the local authority's way from the sale of Leeds-Bradford airport could be used in this way and it's a proposal backed by Kitchen.

But joint-chairman Mark Lawn said he would not be putting the council under pressure.

"I would love them to do it," he said. "But too many people have been council-bashing in the past and it's my job to build a good relationship with them."

Not surprisingly, councillor Anne Hawksworth said she had already been inundated with requests for funds following the airport sale.

She would not comment further other than to say: "I personally have great affection for Bradford City and I hope we can move forward in a way which is positive."

Producing his petition was one way Kitchen felt he could help the Bantams and he welcomed Lawn's new Friends of Bradford City scheme in which fans can volunteer whatever skills they have behind the scenes.

"It is something I would want to get involved in, maybe on a Saturday afternoon before the match," he said.

Kitchen, who sits on the kop, has also echoed McCall's sentiments to really get behind the team next season.

"About 97 per cent of our fans are fantastic but unfortunately there are a small minority who moan as soon as something goes slightly wrong and they are not true fans," he added.

Kitchen is also full of hope that the return of McCall will herald a new era of success.

He said: "As supporters we have been through a torrid few years but we had some fantastic times too in going to Wembley and reaching the Premiership.

"Now things are looking up again and I think we are going to go up under Stuart."