City have collared their shirt sponsors for another three years.

Map Group (UK) are renewing their current deal – and operations director Andrew Long is urging fans to follow their lead.

The communications technology providers were swayed by Mark Lawn’s plea for another 5,000 season-ticket holders when the new cut-price offer is unveiled.

Long said: “That really tipped the scales for us to commit to extending our sponsorship deal. This will give the club stability.

“As a supporter and coming from Bradford, it was only right we also showed long-term commitment to the club and supporters.

“Although we are still not fully through the current financial issues, the deal for season-tickets is quite unbelievable.

“And if we can get Peter Taylor to agree a contract, then I can only see us improving on the pitch.”

City director of operations David Baldwin sees the sponsorship agreement as another solid “building block” for the club’s future.

He said: “It’s an improvement on the current deal and a consistent figure for the next three years. It gives us great budgeting planning.

“There are always concerns when success on the pitch makes the commercial element of the business so much easier. But one thing the fans and sponsors see is that things are going right off it.

“Has this season fallen below our expectations? Of course it has. Is the optimism there for next season? Yes, 100 per cent.

“The framework is in place to make sure income levels are there in order to provide the maximum available budget to the manager, with extra resources in relation to training-ground facilities and the pitch.

“The next factor is to keep the fans coming through the door, which is why we are hoping for a good take-up with season tickets.”