Bradford boss John Deacey shared a radio studio with the manager of rivals Guiseleylast night as they were both interviewed on the eve of the new Blue Square Bet North Division season.

“Kitty (Lions boss Steve Kittrick) said they are going to win it, and I thought good on you - that takes the pressure off us,” joked Deacey.

“Seriously, I hope they (Guiseley) do well. In fact, I’d like all of the local clubs to be challenging for promotion, or at least the play-offs.

"Kitty was quite complimentary about us when we were on the radio.

“He said he liked the way we played and thought that we were doing the right thing by bringing young players through.

"I hope our policy means the club has a bright future and continues to progress but we have to stay in this league first.”

Avenue have joined the Lions and also other near-neighbours FC Halifax Town and Harrogate Town in the second tier of the Conference League.

Deacey’s main aim is to consolidate their place and in doing so reawaken the Bradford public to the city’s other football club.

Deacey added: “The board, Bob Blackburn, Kevin Hainsworth and John Dean, have worked ever so hard to put the club back on the map, and this should be great for the fans of the club.

"I’ve only been here a short time in comparison, so it’s not about me - I just have to do my job and pick the XI.

“Most of those players are the ones who got us here last season. It will be a tough challenge trying to stay in this league for a club like Avenue.

"There are a lot of clubs with much bigger budgets and some that are well established at this level.

“But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and so are the 18 players in our squad. My philosophy is to play the game with a smile on your face, and the lads seem to enjoy it.

"They work hard on the ball, with the ball and to win it back if we lose it, so I’m sure, like me, they prefer it when we play the proper way.”