BRADFORD Park Avenue are preparing for life without Deacey – but they are not looking for a new manager.

Instead it is playmaker Jordan Deacey who is heading for the Horsfall exit.

Avenue boss John Deacey has confirmed that his son is on the verge of moving on to a club higher up the pyramid.

Deacey senior said: "We have definitely lost Jordan but at this stage even I'm not sure where he will end up as he has got choices to make."

The young midfielder was expected to follow former Avenue team-mate Michael Duckworth to Hartlepool United after making a number of appearances for the League Two outfit's reserves towards the end of last season.

Avenue finance director Kevin Hainsworth then confirmed interest from Scunthorpe United a few weeks ago.

The Iron are the latest in a long line of Football League clubs to have been linked with 20-year-old Deacey.

His father feels he may not choose a league club but admits that Avenue would need a Football League-standard player to replace him, with new arrival Scott Kerr more defensively minded.

"Jordan has four options and at least two offers on the table as it stands," said the Horsfall boss.

"Two Conference Premier clubs have offered him terms and two Football League clubs are very interested. I believe he could go to any of the clubs and play his way into the first team.

"Jordan is a big character who never gets fazed or rattled, so he will take his time and make the right decision for himself.

"He has interests outside of the game so he may choose a contract with a club that allows him to pursue those. But what I do know is that he will be a big miss to Bradford – he will leave big boots to fill.

"I don't think we can replace him because he is going to a higher level. For us to get a player of the same ability, we would have to sign someone from a top Conference Premier club or the lower Football League divisions.

"I don't think we have that pulling power at the minute, not to mention the money."

IAN WHITING