Former Bantams duo maintain their link (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Former Bantams duo maintain their link

12:19pm Friday 6th July 2007 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Manager Benny Phillips has released more of last season's squad following the arrival of the first of many expected new signings.

As expected, the first influx of players has a strong bias towards Phillips' former club Witton Albion.

Winger Chris Gaghan, midfielder Mark Jones and striker Griff Jones have all joined Avenue from the UniBond Premier Division outfit.

Danny Meadowcroft, who was in Morecambe's squad that won promotion to the Football League last season, and Paul Collins have also been confirmed as new recruits. They have been brought in to bolster Avenue's defence and inject some pace.

The retained list includes striker Kevin Sanasy and keeper Jon Worsnop, both former Bantams who also had spells at Witton when Phillips was assistant manager.

Tony Lennon, Liam Flynn, Danny Davidson, Chris Clarke, Gary Shaw, Steven Hollingworth and Ben Waller are the other players to survive the winds of change whipped up by local businessman Bob Blackburn's purchase of the club.

The oldest of the five new signings are Gaghan and Griff Jones, who are just 23 - the same age as Worsnop and a year ahead of Sanasy.

The squad Phillips is assembling is the right age to stay together for many years and hopefully help the club climb the non-league ladder.

"I think these deals signal our intention regarding the coming season and the future of Avenue," said Phillips, who has been backed by Blackburn's hard cash in making the transfers possible.

"We are going to launch a push for promotion and the quality of the players we have brought in will give us the best possible chance.

"I think our division is the hardest of the two (UniBond One has split into North and South sections) with FC United coming up and Mossley and Radcliffe Borough, who have come down from the Premier, all in the mix.

"But we have made some really exciting signings. Chris started out at Bolton Wanderers, he is a lively, two-footed winger who will chip in with his fair share of goals.

"He also has a great work ethic - he played in the Conference with Northwich Victoria before going to Witton."