JAMIE Walker can understand the growing anger among City’s support – because he used to protest as a fan as well.

The independent fans group have called for a demonstration outside Valley Parade before today’s game against Tranmere.

Tempers are running high as the current four-game losing streak has effectively killed off any play-off hopes.

The atmosphere turned ugly at Harrogate last week with fans chanting for owner Stefan Rupp and CEO Ryan Sparks to go.

Sparks flew to Germany on Wednesday for crunch talks with Rupp, who issued an open letter to fans promising improvement for next season.

Walker admits the bad feeling off the pitch is nothing new in his experience.

“That comes with any big football club,” he said. “If you are at one with a big support and ambitions, if you are not doing things right on the pitch and winning matches, anger and frustration will come.

“I’ve been there before at Hearts a lot of times with protests and so on.

“I actually used to go to a few protests when I was a kid at Tynecastle, so that comes when you are playing for a big football club and not producing on the pitch.”

City have slumped to 17th going into the Easter weekend – now nine points adrift of Crawley in the final play-off place, having played a game more.

Walker added: “The last four results have hurt me as much as the supporters. It’s been tough, especially coming back from injury and trying to get going again.

“There’s anger and frustration among the supporters and it’s understandable.

“We’ve lost four games on the bounce by quite big margins and they have not really been a contest by the end of the match.

“It’s not the owner or Ryan who was on the pitch, it’s 11 Bradford City players. We need to take part of that blame.

“I know what this club means to the supporters. I live in the area and feel their pain as well.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jamie Walker looks on as Tranmere score against City in OctoberJamie Walker looks on as Tranmere score against City in October (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“I’m an experienced player who has played a lot of games for this club.

“I saw what the club was like when it gets a little bit of success like last year.

“I’ll try and lead and guide a few of the younger lads and hopefully get through this period and get a few wins on the board.

“It’s hurting everyone, the supporters, staff and players. As a footballer, no one wants to be in this situation.

“But it’s one we’re in, we need to stand up and be counted, fight for every ball and show you really care.

“Football changes really quickly and if we are sitting on the back of two wins (after Easter), the whole picture looks a lot different.”