While new manager Gary Brook admits he is counting down the days until next week when Avenue's players return for pre-season training, he is also aware of the enormity of the task ahead.

Brook is itching to get on the field and begin working with the squad he inherited and has one eye on bringing in fresh faces.

His previous experience will be invaluable but he is by no means pretending to be a miracle worker.

"I know a lot of these players and they are good lads. I am hoping to make a few additions but not perform major surgery," said Brook.

"I have been disappointed with the attitude of some players since I have been involved in the UniBond League. They tend to go where the money is rather than where the heart is. They are a different breed these days.

"When I was playing, I wasn't so much a slave to the dollar. I preferred to play where I wanted despite the monetary rewards. If I could play for a club I liked in a team I enjoyed being part of I was happy.

"Times have changed a bit, players seem to want to move on for a better deal - even if they aren't going to better their career. I am going into the Avenue job with both eyes open and I know we can't compete with the budgets of some of our rivals.

"We have to cut our cloth to suit but I'm hoping that won't prevent us from bringing good players to the club. Identifying the type of player we want to join us is not a problem.

"I have been out of the game for two years but I have not stopped doing the rounds. I have seen a lot of matches and kept in touch with players on the circuit. I had a brief spell as assistant manager at Rossendale United so I had to.

"I was just helping out an old mate really but the travelling got to me in the end. It was far too much for the involvement I was getting so that had to come to an end.

"That won't be a problem now. I am based in Heckmondwike so I'm probably 15 minutes from Horsfall Stadium.

"The UniBond League is a very tough one and the Premier Division is one that will be very hard to get out of."