Familiar face lands Avenue job
5:38pm Sunday 2nd March 2008
Bradford Park Avenue may have lost on Saturday but the result played second fiddle to the news that former Bradford City manager Nicky Law is the new boss at Horsfall Stadium.
Law, who also managed Chesterfield in the Football League, will be in charge for tomorrow night's West Riding County Cup semi-final.
Ossett Albion are the visitors in what was set to be a low-key night but now takes on much greater importance.
"Nicky is a very good manager who knows the city very well," said Avenue's chief executive Bob Blackburn.
"He will bring his assistant Russell O'Neil with him. They were working at Alfreton Town in the Blue Square North but they realise the potential that is here at Bradford.
"Nicky was not on contract, he decided to join us and I think that is a great result for us.
"He is a massive name for us but also someone who is very comfortable at this level, highly knowledgeable regarding all non-league football and is still very ambitious.
"He has a proven record and it shows how far we have come at this club to be able to attract someone of his calibre.
"He didn't have the best of times at City because the club was in financial difficulties at the time and had to keep cutting the budget.
"I'm absolutely delighted that we have got him and very excited about our future now."
Law will not have been impressed with the 2-0 defeat at Harrogate Railway on Saturday but he has inherited a good squad in a good position. They will have to be more clinical up front after this display though.
They forced a number of chances but the well-drilled home side earned their win with late goals in each half.
The one in the last minute before the break was from the penalty spot.
Railway's Matthew James turned in a shot that struck Avenue centre back and caretaker assistant manager Paul Stoneman on the lower arm. Stoneman was shown a yellow card before Chris Rosindale rifled the penalty home.
There was a mass flare-up late in the game when Avenue midfielder Nathan Wharton was fouled in the centre circle and he reacted. The referee restored order and then dished out yellow cards to both Wharton and Railway's James.
The home side settled the outcome three minutes from time. Rosindale sent Scott Ryan through but Avenue keeper Jon Worsnop dived to parry his shot. The rebound landed kindly for substitute Nick Smith and his effort came down over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.
- Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here