Bradford City owner Stefan Rupp wants to buy back stadium

Rupp revealed that he is speaking to Gordon Gibb about the possibility of a deal for City’s home – which the former chairman’s Flamingo Land Pension Scheme has owned for 22 years.

The current lease is due to run out in 2028 but the Bantams owner is keen to get it back under the club’s control – something the supporters have been desperate for.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s fans forum at the stadium, Rupp said: “I can honestly say I want to buy the stadium.

“We have already started initial talks with the owner and we’ll see how that progresses over the next months.

“Valley Parade is the spiritual home of the Bantams and it’s also part of the future strategy that we have for the club itself to own it and be much more flexible in different areas.

“There is a strong intention to buy it and the funds are there. I think the owner is willing to sell it.

“I don’t want to get into much detail at the moment. The only thing I can say is that we’ve started initial talks.

“This will lead into much more detailed discussions in the next month and then we’ll see.

“If you look at other football clubs, most of them own their own stadium and training ground.

“For me it’s important that we are able to unite what has to be united. This is the next big project.”

City’s relationship with Gibb has improved considerably since his public fall-out with Julian Rhodes around the second administration.

Gibb refused to get involved with Rhodes and Mark Lawn during their time in charge but chief executive Ryan Sparks has worked hard to smooth things. Flamingo Land are now a sleeve sponsor on the team shirts.

Rupp added: “What happened in the past with former representatives of the club who are long gone is nothing to do with me.

“We are in a good position to re-engage and Ryan did a very good job to make this happen.

“We’re very happy that it’s now a partnership and let’s see what we can make out of that in the future and how fully it will grow.

“I cannot comment on what former owners had in terms of any problems with our landlord.”

Rupp came under heavy criticism last season from fans frustrated at his long-distance ownership.

City owner Stefan Rupp speaks to the T&A's Simon Parker (Image: Bradford City)

As he prepared to field questions from the City public, the German accepted that he needs to start communicating more.

“When I bought the club eight years ago, I always wanted to be the guy in the background and not in the limelight,” he added.

“But over the years, it became more obvious that it’s more important to talk to the people.

“Maybe it’s the time to step up and give the people more information from the owner’s side than we did before. Times have changed and I also have to change.”

Rupp pledged to be more visible and publicly accountable in his open letter to supporters in March on the back of the four-game losing slump that proved so costly in the final shake-up.

Rupp said: “I fully understood the criticism. Why should the people feel any different to me?

“I was really depressed and angry at the way we were playing and how easily we gave away the much-needed points in our promotion campaign.

“I felt it was time to speak and tell the people what I think about everything and what I intend to do. Maybe this was the missing link and I think it helped.

“Nobody wants to see his own team losing and we just want to do better. That was the message.

“Ultimately I’m the owner of the club and I’m responsible and it was something I don’t want to neglect.”

Around 400 fans are expected at the ticket-only forum with Rupp, Sparks, Graham Alexander, head of football operations David Sharpe and head of recruitment Stephen Gent.

“Questions will be asked and people are free to communicate their criticism,” said Rupp. “It’s a back and forward communication.

“It’s not just about me talking but also people asking questions and giving me their feedback. This is the best way of communicating.”