Bradford Park Avenue’s new owner Gareth Roberts was denied the chance to see his side play before flying back to America today (Tuesday) – and that underlined the necessity for his first pledge to improve the pitch at Horsfall.

And speaking to the T&A for the first time since buying the majority shareholding from previous chief executive Bob Blackburn, the new man at the helm said the longer-term plan could involve moving to a different ground.

Roberts and his two colleagues Joe Mosley and Paul Wood, who have also joined the board of directors, want to strengthen the club from its roots.

They take over at a time when Avenue are languishing in the relegation zone in the Vanarama Conference North and last Saturday’s postponement – the latest of six home games called off so far this winter – leaves them four points below the trapdoor but with four games in hand.

Roberts said: “The immediate plan for the club is to try to get a game on.”

“The pitch is not helping the team and we feel that’s the first thing that we need to put right. It doesn’t drain well and that causes problems whether it rains, snows or is frozen.

“Horsfall never feels like the best place to play football anyway so, although we want make improvements to the pitch straight away, we have to make decisions quickly as to how much we invest in that.

“It could be that we move away from Horsfall in time. In a few years we would like to see a facility, a venue that will be suitable for a club at Conference League level but will also be a big benefit to the community and we want it in south Bradford.

“At the moment we are struggling to attract good players and that is not helping us attract new fans. Given that we are in a relegation battle, that’s not good either but you can’t pick points up if you’re not playing.”

Roberts is a wealthy businessman based in Dallas, Texas. He is astute in his dealings, so is not writing any blank cheques.

He is also a lifelong Avenue supporter and feels the club has done well since its resurrection.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to throw money at a football club. What I want is to be part of a stable driving force that builds something sustainable and benefits the wider community,” he added.

“It would be nice if the club progressed through the leagues but there are more important things. Getting the club stabilised and in a healthy state is paramount and that means relegation is not an option this season.

“We have to do whatever we can to hold on to our status and then we have a club that can attract sponsors and grow. I follow every game, even if I’m not in England, and I’ve seen enough to know we can stay up.

“There will be no change to the management of the team. John Deacey got us here and he is the man to keep us here. John is a good football man and a very good manager.”