BRADFORD Park Avenue have appointed Mark Bower as their new first-team manager.

Bower has spent the last three years in charge at Avenue's neighbours Guiseley, gaining promotion to the National League and keeping them up in their first season in the top flight before a bad start to the current campaign saw him lose his job.

The 36-year-old replaces former head coach Alex Meechan, who was relieved of his first-team duties on Monday.

Bower takes over with the club sitting bottom of the Vanarama National League North, six points from safety.

Born in Bradford, the former centre-back spent the vast majority of his playing days across the city at Valley Parade, making 254 appearances for the Bantams over 12 years.

He also had spells at York City, playing under Avenue's director of football Terry Dolan, Luton Town, Darlington and Halifax, who welcome Avenue on Saturday.