Geoffrey Richmond delivered the news

Hutchings was allowed to bring in new faces in the summer, including Romania international Dan Petrescu and controversial Italian Benito Carbone, but they have suffered a miserable start to the season.

Hutchings said: "Obviously it is a great disappointment to be relieved of my duties. However, I recognise the club's future prospects are the most important thing to the board and they feel change is the best way to do this.

"I have had almost five years at the club and I still feel I have got a lot to offer the world of football. I hope to get back and be involved in the game as quickly as possible."

Bradford midfielder Dean Windass said: "I feel sorry for Chris. It's us (the players) that have got the club in this situation, not Chris. He only puts a team out on the field."

But Windass reckons that caretaker boss McCall will have the full backing of the Bradford players as he bids to halt the club's slide.

"I get on well with Stuart personally and he's got a lot of respect from the other players as well. Hopefully, he can come in and turn it round."

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond warned Hutchings he was facing the sack, but gave him one final thrown of the dice to turn the club's fortunes around.

Stan Collymore arrived at Valley Parade on a free transfer from Leicester City, but despite scoring on his debut against Leeds, the move has not worked.

Collymore celebrates

Collymore was withdrawn at half time in The Worthington Cup defeat at Newcastle, during which chairman Richmond was taken ill, and then missed Saturday's defeat at Charlton.

This proved the last straw for Richardson, who has dismissed Hutchings after almost five years at the club, during which time he ran Bradford's youth policy.

Following the 2-0 defeat at home to Ipswich on October 21, Richmond held a two-hour meeting with Hutchings at which the former Chelsea and Huddersfield player was issued with an ultimatum, "improve results or pay the price."