SHAUN Gardner says he can't wait for Bradford (Park Avenue's) season to get under way even more after learning who they will face and when.

Avenue's assistant manager will begin his spell sharing the dugout with new boss Garry Thompson on Saturday, August 3 with a trip to Curzon Ashton in the Vanarama National League North.

They face their first derby of the season when they host Guiseley on Tuesday, August 6. Avenue have a festive period packed with derbies as they host Steve Watson's York City at Horsfall Stadium on Boxing Day. This will be followed by a trip to newly-promoted Farsley Celtic two days later then a trip to York on New Year's Day.

Easter will see Darlington visit Avenue on Good Friday (April 10) followed by a trip to Blyth Spartans for Thompson's side on Easter Monday (April 13).

Avenue close their regular season with a trip to Shropshire to face AFC Telford United on Saturday, April 25.

Gardner says the squad are bonding well in pre-season training, but nothing compares to competitive action. They travel to Hemsworth Miners Welfare in their opening friendly on Saturday.

He said: "Curzon Ashton will be a tough opening game for us.

"The excitement levels have gone up now we know where we start the season.

"We have some good local derbies. We play York City on Boxing Day at our place and make the return trip on New Year's Day.

"We're looking forward to our first pre-season fixture on Saturday, but nothing compares to the first league game really.

"In training we have a close-knit group already, but there's nothing like playing games. That's the next step for us."

Meanwhile, Guiseley entertain newly-promoted Kings Lynn Town on the opening day of the season, while newly-promoted Farsley Celtic begin life in Vanarama National League North with a home date against Darlington on August 3.

Avenue's 2019-20 fixtures: August: 3: Curzon Ashton (away), 6 Guiseley (home), 10 Kidderminster Harriers (h), 13 Gateshead (a), 17 Alfreton Town (a), 24 Blyth Spartans (h), 26: Darlington (a), 31 AFC Telford United (h); September: 3 Farsley Celtic (h),

7 Boston United (a), 14 Spennymoor Town (h), 28 Brackley Town (a); October: 12 Hereford (h), 19 Gloucester City (a), 26 Southport (h); November: 2 Kettering Town (a), 9 King’s Lynn Town (h), 16 Leamington (h), 30 Chester (a); December: 7 Altrincham (h), 21 Spennymoor Town (a), 26 York City (h), 28 Farsley Celtic (a); January: 1 York City (a), 4 Boston United (h), 11 Hereford (a), 18 Brackley Town (h), 25 Altrincham (a); February 1: Southport (a), 8 Gloucester City (h), 15 King’s Lynn Town (a), 22 Kettering Town (h), 29 Leamington (a); March: 7 Chester (h), 14 Curzon Ashton (h), 21 Guiseley (a), 28 Gateshead (home); April: 4 Kidderminster Harriers (a), 10 Darlington (h), 13 Blyth Spartans (a), 18 Alfreton Town (h), 25 AFC Telford United (a).