Bradford Council were today accused of “avoiding the obvious” by ignoring a ground-share at Valley Parade and ploughing on with Odsal plans.

City’s Supporters Trust admit they are not surprised that the Sporting Village scheme has hit the buffers over funding.

But chairman Alan Carling is angry that the power-brokers will still not consider bringing the Bulls to Valley Parade to share with City. He is urging a rethink next week.

Carling said: “It is beyond belief that the council, even now, seems unprepared to contemplate it as a solution to the problems it faces with the Bulls.

“It now seems to be the only feasible alternative that will give them a modern, covered, all-seater stadium to play in.

“It is good for Bradford City, since it will help to lift the rental burden.

“It is good for Bradford Council because ground-sharing at Valley Parade can be achieved without the massive outlays required at Odsal.

“And it is good for Bradford as a whole, because it will tend to draw the district together, rather than drive it apart.”

Carling has been a consistent opponent to the ambitious plans to redevelop Odsal and believes the alternative options being drawn up would be unsuitable to include City.

He said: “Will Bradford’s ratepayers, who are already contributing £15m, stomach the cost of another £15m for a second-best solution which benefits the Bradford Bulls alone?

“And the Council is proposing to spend over £1m on more consultants’ fees to help them think over the issue for the next 12 months, delaying once again the need to take a firm decision.

“I hope that the Council Executive finally gives permission to explore the ground-sharing option at Valley Parade. As things stand, Council leaders seem dead set on spending another £1m of our money avoiding the obvious.”

SIMON PARKER