Park Avenue boss Deacey hails his great entertainers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey hails his great entertainers

4:42pm Friday 8th February 2013 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Avenue manager John Deacey might play down his team’s chances of snatching a play-off place – but he is quite happy to sing their praises for their entertainment value.

Deacey has been keen to keep expectations in check during their first season in the Blue Square Bet North following promotion last season.

Avenue have more than held their own since winning the Evo-Stik Premier
Division play-off final last May and a strong end to the campaign could still see them challenge for the play-offs.

But Deacey continually takes the pressure off his compact squad by saying that anywhere above the halfway mark would be an achievement in their first term.

However, he never takes the credit away from the players when they deserve it, even when recent results have not gone their way.

“You never get disappointed with Bradford,” he said.

“There are not many people who go away from Horsfall Stadium thinking they have wasted their money because they always see a good game.

“I would say that goes for the fans who follow us away from home as well because, if I’m being completely honest, even in that spell since before Christmas I think we have not only matched the top clubs in this league but also entertained.

“If you take the Brackley Town game and the second half against Stalybridge Celtic out of it we have played well.

“We got one point from a possible seven in that run of games against top sides but when you look at it we were very unlucky.

“We keep getting good, positive, reactions from the players and managers of other clubs.”

Deacey is a strong advocate of playing attractive football and is pleased the players have stuck to those principles.

He said: “Last Saturday (a 1-0 win at home to Solihull Moors) one of their management team said to me that we were the best team they had played this season.

“It doesn’t put points on the board but it does mean something and I’m just glad that the lads continued to play the football we like to play.

“It is my philosophy in football and I cannot, will not, change my beliefs.”