Bradford City fans have finally had the news they’ve been waiting to hear for ages now: Edin Rahic has left the club.

Rahic’s name has become synonymous with decline, with the collapse of the once-proud Bantams and with struggle. This evening, following talks with majority shareholder Stefan Rupp, it’s been announced he has finally left Valley Parade, for good.

Those outside Bradford might not be entirely aware of the influence he’s had, of the decline in their fortunes and they way he has overseen a deterioration of their tradition and values, but for fans of the club it has been a torrid time in which they’ve often stayed away and feared for their long-term future.

In a statement to the club’s official website, Rupp acknowledged it is time to move forward from Rahic’s terrible tenure as chairman.

“The time for change has come and this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the club,” said Rupp. “The people of Bradford deserve much, much better.”

“I will do everything in my power to wash away the dreadful memories of the last 12 months and consign them to the history books for good. I have invested significantly in the club over the past two seasons and will continue to do so.”

Rahic is thought to have been behind the collapse last season, that saw the Bantams fall from automatic promotion hopefuls to mid table nothingness. They sacked manager Stuart McCall, a popular figure in Bradford, and brought in Simon Grayson. He remained at the club until the end of the season, before Michael Collins, the Under 18 coach took over.

Collins was handed a duff hand and he too was relieved of his duties to be replaced by their fourth manager in a calendar year, David Hopkin. He’s struggled to make an impact with the Bantams bottom of League One with just 14 points.

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Our View

The future starts now.

Bradford City fans have got their club back and as a football fan, it is a delight to see.

I’m not a Bradford fan, but I empathise with those who follow the club and have seen the situation unfolding with little they could do.

There will be some alcohol consumed in celebration tonight and rightly so.

And so begins the next chapter.