ALEX Meechan is looking forward to his first Bradford derby tonight as Park Avenue host City in a pre-season friendly.

Both sides are under new stewardship, with Meechan in charge at Horsfall Stadium and Bantams legend Stuart McCall in the hot seat at Valley Parade for the second time.

Meechan, who was confirmed as Park Avenue’s head coach after ending last term as assistant to interim boss Darren Edmondson, has overseen five pre-season games before tonight and has been busy building his squad.

Following Saturday’s narrow defeat to Guiseley, the Avenue boss said: “Pre-season isn’t about results, it’s about preparation for the season and getting people important game-time, and this fixture is perfect for us.”

McCall’s Sky Bet League One outfit will provide a stern test for their Vanarama National League North Division hosts.

Meechan knows that his players are keen to make it competitive – it is a derby after all, and that will make them perform to the best of their abilities.

He is also delighted to have added more signings to his new-look squad, and said, “The squad is nearly fully assembled now and I’m looking forward to working with them in the coming season.

“Nicky Wroe signed just before the Guiseley game and he is just the type of player we want because of what he brings.

"He’s obviously got a great pedigree, and his experience is second to none, and he’ll be a big plus for us in terms of where we want to be as a group.”

Avenue have also added midfielder Sanchez Payne, striker Liam Dickinson, who ended last season on loan at Avenue from Guiseley, and look set to sign the lively Leon Osborne, who was at Farsley Celtic last season and is a former Bantam.

All of them are likely to feature tonight against City, as well as a handful of players that Meechan has been looking at over the summer.

There were two trialists in the starting line-up against the Lions on Saturday, while three more came off the bench in the second half.

They are still hoping to convince Meechan and Avenue’s directory of football, former City player and manager Terry Dolan, that they have something to offer. Some of them certainly impressed at the weekend.

Farsley Celtic also have a home derby tonight against Leeds United Under-21s.