Avenue boss Carl Shutt was planning for the forthcoming season as founder members of the Conference North when he appointed his assistant Ian Roscrow.

Like the manager, the No 2 once pled his trade at Sheffield Wednesday but he has more experience in the non-league realms than the former Bradford City and Leeds United striker.

"I spent a couple of seasons with Wednesday and several at Boston United before going abroad," said Roscrow in his first interview as Avenue assistant.

"Three seasons with a club in the North Island of New Zealand gave me some great experience. That helped me when I came back to England and had spells with Gainsborough Trinity, Grantham and Buxton."

After spending the last three years scouting for clubs in the Football League, Roscrow has amassed a vast knowledge of the non-league scene. Shutt also knows what he is getting after appointing a fellow Tyke he has known for many years.

"We have never been at the same club at the same time but we go back a long way. I have known Carl from school age, since we were 12-year-olds. He was in non-league football after that before his career really took off.

"Hopefully this will be a great partnership. I think both of us have something to offer the club and we can share the training schedules. Carl has got the experience as a player at the top level but also in management."

The new No 2 has cut his teeth on the coaching side and has recently worked with Halifax Town and Mansfield Town under-16s teams and Ossett Town's under-19s set up.

"I have been involved in the non-league circuit more than Carl over recent years and scouting for League clubs means I have my finger on the pulse. Players who I think are good enough might come on the market this summer and I will be giving my opinion to Carl.

"Everyone tries to improve their squad and we will definitely be trying to be first in if and when some of the players I know become available.

"Regarding coaching duties it all depends on how Carl sets it out.

"He is a hands-on manager and has got the lads playing good football and will want to be heavily involved on the coaching side. When he has too much to deal with off the field, which will happen at certain times, I will be taking training sessions.

"There is no need for a major overhaul of the squad because I have been well impressed with what I have seen at Bradford.

"There was an open day at Horsfall Stadium at the weekend and we finished with a match against a team from the RAF.

"It was an end-of-season thing but it gave us a chance to look at the current squad and some of the young lads and there will be opportunities for everyone in the pre-season games."