GOALKEEPER is a funny old position. Make one mistake and you could be out; make a few fantastic saves and you could become a match winner.

After struggling to find a reliable number one since returning as manager, Mark Bower went back to one of his former favourites to save Bradford (Park Avenue)'s woes.

Arriving in the summer, Dan Atkinson has hardly put a foot wrong. However, maybe his plaudits should be shared.

Danny King returned to his ex-employers in October to help the academy and take on the first team goalkeeping coach role.

He has overseen Will Huffer moving to Bradford City, and Atkinson's brilliant form which has catapulted him to be one of the league's most highly touted keepers.

King said: "With us only training twice a week for an hour and half, I get a good hour with them and we try to compact as much as we can into every session.

"Goalkeeper is a whole different ball game to the other guys. In training we focus on bits of everything."

In his playing days, King played understudy to Jon Stewart during the Martin Drury era (2015-16) before leaving for Yorkshire Amateur after seeing his opportunities limited.

Disaster struck months into his time at the Ammers as a broken shoulder ended his semi-professional career at 24.

Fast-forward four years and the Bradford resident has started his own goalkeeper academy and is back at Horsfall.

He said: "I have always been involved in football at every level in terms of coaching. When this opportunity came up, I could not turn it down.

"Originally, I came in with the academy and development squad to help with the keepers there.

"I found out they did not have a first team keeper coach, so I spoke to Tom McStravick (academy manager) about it. Every club at this level has one.

"The structure that Mark, Martin (Knight) and the rest of the guys are trying to build, it just makes it a bit more professional.

"I have absolutely loved it. Everyone has been welcoming. It is what you expect from a club like Park Avenue.

"You have got players who actually want to play for the club and take it to the next step. Mark and Danny (Boshell) have great experience, they know how to handle the dressing room and each individual player, so it makes it good."

Someone who was also inactive on the pitch for the same period was Atkinson. The shot stopper's career stagnated after leaving Guiseley in 2016.

"When I found that out, it was a shock to me," King added. "He does not even look like he has been out of the game especially with some of the saves he has pulled off.

"He has got points for us when we have had to slog it out. He has made a few absolute worldies so he is a great asset to have.

"The shot stopping and distribution comes natural to Dan. It is just about fine tuning. I am sure people are keeping an eye on him."

The man who was second fiddle is now playing the same role two divisions higher.

Due to Sam Hornby's efforts, Huffer has not gained his Valley Parade bow yet.

"The lad has played at Leeds under (Marcelo) Bielsa. He dropped down to Park Avenue to get his career back up and running.

"Will’s ambition was always to progress back into the football league, City is a good move for him.

"He is still only a young lad at 22. If he gets the opportunity at City, I am sure he will take it."