PORTSMOUTH'S hopes to build a new stadium on the outskirts of the city have hit the buffers.

The club had been targeting a site by the King George V playing fields in Cosham, but it appears that Portsmouth City Council have knocked back the plan since they want the land protected from any development.

It is the latest setback for the club and ambitious chairman Milan Mandaric, who have been pursuing dreams of a new stadium.

Almost a decade ago, Pompey had drawn up ambitious plans for a new stadium at Farlington, only to have the scheme thrown out by a government inspector.

The club have planning permission for a 26,500 development on Fratton Goods Yard, though Mandaric believes the capacity is too small, and the club are looking elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Pompey have reacted to news that rivals Bradford City have been put into adminstration - exactly three years since they came out of administration thanks to the intervention of Serbian millionaire, Mandaric.

Watford have announced that following the collapse of ITV Digital, they would not be signing players for the forseeable future and would have to offload players.

Now Bradford have been forced to go into administration, and Pompey chief executive, Peter Storrie, told the official web site: "This is where reality bites in.

"Unfortunately, it is very sad and I feel extremely sorry for Bradford City and their supporters.

"This is a result of the ongoing saga at ITV Digital and Carlton and Granada failing to talk to us.

"This really does look to be the first of many and I hope it will make those few who have been on Milan Mandaric's back stop and think.

"The fact we are actively looking to sign quality players and are not being affected in any way is down to one man."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor believes Geoffrey Richmond is "going down a dangerous road" with his decision to place Bradford into administration.

The ongoing dispute over the ITV Digital deal combined with Middlesbrough's decision not to sign high-earning Italian striker Benito Carbone has now forced City chairman Richmond to place the club in administration.

A large number of Bradford stars look certain to be looking for new employers in the coming weeks as the club attempt to slash their wage bill while new buyers for the club are found.

But Taylor believes Richmond's decision will destroy the credibility of the Bantams, who were relegated from the Premiership a year ago and finished 15th in Division One this season.

He said: "If anyone is tearing contracts up they will find the PFA a better friend than an enemy.

"There's no end of ways we can help - but if they want a state of anarchy with ripping up contracts..."

Bradford join a number of other teams, including Halifax, Lincoln and Swindon, in administration.