Garry Thompson to come up against Bradford City in pre-season

The former Bantams winger, who took over the Horsfall hot seat this week, will come up against his old club when the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy takes place at Avenue on Tuesday, July 23.

The National League North club have also arranged friendlies against academy sides from Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town, plus fixtures with Football League outfits Rotherham and Mansfield and a couple of matches against fellow non-league outfits.

Thompson said: “It’s a great schedule and one I hope the fans enjoy as much as we will. It’s important to get game time for our squad and any lads on trial early in the pre-season and we need time to have a good look at a number of players.

“ I spoke earlier in the week about the great relationships the club has with some fantastic development clubs, and to have Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield town bring their best young talent over to Horsfall is extremely beneficial for us. They are big clubs and a pleasure to work with.”

Avenue CEO Damian Irvine added: “A meaningful and strong pre-season was one of the areas that supporters have suggested the club could be doing better.

"With a new manager in place and many fresh faces, this pre-season schedule will allow supporters to see plenty of football before the season starts and build into a very exciting period for the club.

“ Our relationships with local non-league clubs and larger EFL clubs are both very important to us and we’re delighted to deliver a pre-season program that contains a great blend of levels whilst giving Garry and Shaun (Gardner) ample time to get to know and build their squad."

Avenue schedule: Hemsworth Miners (away, July 6, 3pm), Mansfield (home, July 11, 7.30pm), Brighouse (away, July 13, 3.30pm), Rotherham United (home, July 17, 7.30pm), Sheffield Wednesday under-23s (home, July 20, 3pm), Bradford City (home, July 23, 7.30pm), Huddersfield Town XI (home, July 30, 7.30pm)