BRADFORD Park Avenue belatedly kick off their pre-season schedule tonight as they make the short trip to Scotchman Road to take on Campion in preparation for the Bradford derby on Saturday.

Avenue host the Bantams in the cross-city derby at the weekend and had hoped to have two warm-up games under their belt by then.

Former City captain and current Horsfall Stadium boss Mark Bower was due to take his new-look side to Albion Sports on Saturday but that opening friendly was postponed as the pitch at Throstle Nest was not ready following extensive work on the surface over the close season.

Bower drafted in former Manchester City full back Javan Vidal from Guiseley over the weekend to add to the influx of former Lions. Bower had brought the player to Nethermoor when he was Guiseley manager.

Vidal signed his first professional contract with the Premier League giants in 2007 and Roberto Mancini gave him his debut in a League Cup tie against West Brom three years later.

After leaving the Etihad in search of first-team football, Vidal had a spell in Greece and also played for Stockport County and Rochdale before dropping into non-League football.

Tonight's game is a sign of how far Campion have risen up the rankings. Last season was their first in the semi-professional game and they only just missed out on the Division One play-offs in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

James Bicknell's men will also face neighbours Silsden and Thackley during pre-season and will be involved in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in the coming season for the first time in their history.