Carbone failed to deliver

If Collymore's capture was designed to buy Hutchings time, it almost stretched the expectations of some when he actually lasted a fortnight after this ill-judged act.

The outspoken Richmond plucked Hutchings from relative obscurity when he appointed him as successor to Paul Jewell - and it took a mere 137 days to send him back.

Hutchings presided over only one league victory - an emphatic win against Chelsea inspired by showpiece summer signing Benito Carbone.

It was the signal for an outburst of optimism and self-congratulation from chairman Richmond that looks decidedly unwise when set against the backdrop of the unceremonious sacking of his manager.

He gloated in the after-glow of triumph: "People should remember we have a good record with rookie managers here.

"He's had to put up with remarks of 'Chris who?' Not only that - the bookies are tipping him as the favourite in the Premiership to lose his job."

Collymore's lone goal

Richmond was right on that score, the defeat of Chelsea pushing Gianluca Vialli towards the Stamford Bridge exit somewhat quicker than Hutchings was shown the door at Bradford.

The Bradford chairman has also had to battle against whispers that he was exerting undue influence on team affairs - and claimed his very public warning to Hutchings was only in keeping with Bradford's "open book" publicity policy.

Richmond allowed Hutchings to bring in previously untold reserves of talent in the summer, including Carbone and Romanian Dan Petrescu.

But there was the fear that the capture of Collymore was merely a case of giving Hutchings enough rope to hang himself.

And so it proved as the noose tightened.

What will happen to the wandering Collymore now as he presides over the demise of another manager who, in public at least, showed great faith in him?

McCall takes over

Hutchings, as with all managers, was defiant to the end, even after a tame surrender at Charlton on Saturday.

The brave talk of turning things around always sounded hollow with the fans turning against him, his chairman publicly questioning his future, and Bradford locked on course for another relegation struggle.

Bradford City and Richmond will march on towards their next crisis in the hands of caretaker manager and local legend Stuart McCall.

As for Hutchings, his managerial epitaph will be the signing of Stanley Victor Collymore.

He is not alone.