GOALKEEPER Steven Drench and centre back Luca Havern have become the latest players to commit to Bradford Park Avenue for next season.

However, it is unlikely that forward Frank Mulhern will feature as the loanee from Guiseley has joined Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.

The 32-year-old Drench, who briefly lost his place to Ed Hall, still made 40 appearances between the sticks in all competitions in 2017-18 and became a staple of play-off semi-finalists Avenue's impressive backline in Vanarama National League North.

Vastly experienced stopper Drench, who made over 200 appearances during his six years with Guiseley, where he worked with Avenue's current management team of Mark Bower and Danny Boshell, left in 2016 to join FC Halifax Town, whom he played for 21 times, before sealing a move to Avenue last summer.

Drench said: "I am very happy to have agreed to stay with the club for the forthcoming season.

"I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the dressing room and in and around the club, so I was keen to stay for what will hopefully be another successful season.

"I can't wait for the new season to begin. Next season will be just as challenging as the last, with some new and old rivalries being renewed.

"I felt that I was back to my best last season and was really enjoying my football – something which I am keen to replicate next season."

Defensive lynchpin Gianluca Havern established himself as an integral part of Bower's side in his debut season.

The centre back, more commonly known as Luca, joined last June after leaving AFC Telford United.

He captained the Bucks after enjoying spells with Hyde United and Altrincham, both of whom he achieved promotion with to the top tier of non-league football.

Havern came through the youth ranks at Stockport County and scored the winning goal on his debut for the Hatters in a 1-0 win over Brentford in May, 2008.

Manchester-born Havern joined Mansfield Town in 2009 but returned to Stockport for a second spell shortly after, and represented Mossley and Ashton United before linking up with Hyde.

He said: "I'm really happy to have signed. I've really enjoyed working with the management team and everyone at the club and that was what made the decision for me.

"I've experienced a lot of change in the last few years but I'm glad that I can stay here and carry on.

"Over the last few years, there's been a few seasons where things haven't gone as planned but last season gave me my love for the game back.

"I know Rossy (Mark Ross) said the same thing but we've been speaking about how buzzing we both are for the new season. I just want to get going again now."

Mulhern, 21, joined Guiseley at the start of last season from Huddersfield Town's under-23 development squad, having previously played for Leeds United.

One of four members of Town's under-23 squad released following their promotion to the Premier League, Mulhern was capped by the Republic of Ireland at under-18 and under-19 level.

The South Elmsall-raised player was in the Huddersfield Town Academy for four years, joining the Terriers at under-nines in August 2005 before departing for Leeds United in May 2009.

He subsequently turned professional with the Elland Road club in the summer of 2015 following a two-year scholarship - a deal he extended a year later.

He played for Southport during a brief loan spell in September 2016 and then joined Guiseley at the start of last season, going out on loan, lastly to Avenue, after Paul Cox re-jigged the Guiseley squad.

Mulhern scored two goals in the Vanarama National League last season for the Lions – the last-gasp winner at home to Torquay as well as a late penalty at Maidstone United to earn a 1-1 draw.

However, for Avenue, after making his debut in the 5-0 home win over Gainsborough in early February, he netted four times, bagging a brace in the home win over Telford United and netting in the late-season wins against Kidderminster Harriers and Harrogate Town that took him into the play-offs and he was also on target in the defeat at Stockport County.