BRADFORD Park Avenue supporters have been asked to be patient regarding the appointment of a manager – but there will be more concern and speculation after the club confirmed the departure of Craig King.

The lively 25-year-old winger was a fans' favourite and he was named the supporters' player of the season at the awards night that followed the last game of the 2015-16 campaign.

King has been tempted away by new Vanarama National North rivals rival Salford City, the club part owned by former Manchester United legends Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers (Gary and Phil).

The Ammies won promotion from the Evo-Stik League via the Premier Division play-offs and have wasted no time in bolstering their squad ahead of the forthcoming season.

King is one of three new recruits, while a number of last season's regulars have also signed new deals with the Manchester club.

Salford stated that impressive performances by King when the clubs faced each other last season – an FA Cup third qualifying-round draw at Moss Lane before a 1-0 home defeat for Avenue in the replay – had been noted by the Ammies' management team.

Chesterfield-born King began his career at new Premier League champions Leicester City but all of his 30 Football League appearances were made while on loan at Hereford Town and Northampton Town.

King did make an appearance for the Foxes but that was in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Lincoln City.

He left the King Power Stadium five years ago when he signed for AFC Telford United, who were then in the Conference League.

King arrived at Horsfall Stadium in January 2015 and signed an 18-month deal that ran out this close season.

The club thanked him for his "incredible hard work" over the past year and a half and wished him all the best for the future. He joins former Avenue team-mate Billy Priestley at Moss Lane.