Carbone departure opens door for sacked 19

By Paul Holmes
July 31 2002

Bentio Carbone's departure from Bradford could save the jobs of 19 other professionals at the club.

The crisis club is finally parting ways with Carbone who has agreed a deal to move to Serie A side Como.

Carbone's weekly wages at Valley Parade came to £40,000, a fee the West Yorkshire club just can't afford.

With Carbone leaving and the club hopeful that their creditors will accept their offer, Bradford may be able to re-sign some of the 19 players who would otherwise be released.

Bradford last night were forced to field a youthful side against Hull after the senior players went back on their word and took strike action over payment issues.

The deputy chief executive of the PFA, Mick McGuire, spoke of the situation at Valley Parade and praised Carbone's contribution. "Benito's co-operation has enabled the club to move forward and we are all very optimistic for its survival.

"If, as we hope, the whole situation is resolved tomorrow, the club will be able to offer contracts for next season to those other 19 players the administrators attempted to dismiss who have not already found alternative employment.

"The PFA are delighted that the situation looks like being resolved and are happy to have helped."