MARK Bower is delighted to have landed his top target to replace departing keeper Jon Worsnop and feels that his Bradford Park Avenue squad is taking shape for the coming campaign.

Bower was chasing the signature of Steve Drench from the moment it was known that the former Blackburn Rovers and Morecambe keeper would not be remaining at The Shay.

Drench moved to FC Halifax Town from Guiseley after their first full season in the Vanarama National League, and Bower was the Lions boss at the time so the pair know all about each other.

Bower said: "I'm very pleased to get Drenchy because there were quite a few clubs in for him.

"As soon as we knew that Spider (Worsnop) wouldn't be coming back for another season, Drenchy was the obvious target because there are not many better keepers at this level.

"In fact, I would say that he has got to be the best keeper in non-league football anywhere.

"That's why clubs were chasing him and, although we haven't got one of the biggest budgets, he has agreed join us here at Bradford, and that's great news."

Many thought that Avenue had missed out on Drench, believing that the player was all set to sign for National North rivals Alfreton Town.

But a deal was done, and the keeper, who has coached at his former club Blackburn, will be goalkeeping coach for Avenue's academy.

Drench joins attacking midfielder Nicky Clee and striker Adam Boyes as new signings, and some of last term's squad have also penned new deals.

More news is expected out of Horsfall Stadium over the next week.

Bower added: "We wanted to get any deals done as early as we could, and there were key areas that we thought needed strengthening because we don't want to be in the bottom three at any stage in the coming season.

"We spent a lot of time down there last season but in the last couple of months there were some good results and some very positive signs. There was a good atmosphere around the place.

"It was clear that scoring goals was a problem, and we highlighted that and I think we've gone some way to addressing that problem with the signings we've made and we'll definitely be as strong at the back with Drenchy and Ed Hall.

"Ed has been retained and we're pleased with where we are in terms of our recruitment at the moment but there is still work to do.

"It's good to get Boyes and Drench and it helps to get that news out there.

"Having signed them, it helps with discussions with other players.

"They see that we're making signings of that calibre and we've held on to the likes of Nicky Wroe, Ryan Toulson, Adam Nowakowski and Ed Hall.

"There will be a couple more announcements over the next couple of weeks as we get towards the date that the players report back for pre-season.

"We have pretty much agreed with 14 players now, and that's a mix of new signings and retained players.

"There will also be one or two trialists coming in for the friendly games so it's all very exciting at the moment."