BRADFORD (Park Avenue) and Guiseley have been provided with a date to when their 2021-22 Vanarama National League North campaign will commence.

All 22 clubs will be hoping it's third time lucky in regard to finishing a season when they return to competitive action on August 14.

By that stage, spectators should be allowed back in at full capacity, according to the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.

It has been a frustrating last two years for teams at Step Two. Avenue have only been able to complete 49 out of their 84 fixtures due to the pandemic.

Of course, in 2019-20, they were spared relegation, thanks to the division below being declared null and void, after finishing clearly rock-bottom in the points-per-game calculated standings.

The Horsfall outfit began this term in more positive spirits and were going well in mid-table before another curtailment occurred, this time scrapping the results.

We are still waiting for that decision to be ratified by the FA Council. Many thought it would be done last week, when the seasons of Steps 3-6 were officially banished, but it seems the paperwork was not fully ready for it to happen.

Fixtures for the new season will be released in due course.

Meanwhile, the National League will continue to be sponsored by Vanarama through to the 2024/25 season.

The three-year extension will take the relationship between the pair to 11 years.

Since taking over title sponsorship in 2014, Vanarama has actively raised the profile of the three leagues through innovative campaigns such as MANarama which helped raise over £200k for Prostate Cancer UK.

Chairman of the National League Brian Barwick OBE said: “We are delighted to continue our title sponsorship with Vanarama and thank them for their steadfast support during the past twelve months.

“This enhanced arrangement will take our partnership up to eleven years. That speaks volumes about the confidence we both have in each other.

“The National League has found a great organisation to work with and we are pleased Vanarama find the relationship to be equally rewarding.

“We all look forward to four more years growing our unique partnership.”