Bradford (Park Avenue) defender Lund glad to stay put

Lund, who rose through the academy at now League Two side Doncaster Rovers, has established himself in the first team at the Avenue, making 28 appearances last season.

And Avenue fans are delighted with the news that Lund has agreed to sign on for another campaign with the club, with his new deal taking him until the summer of 2023.

Lund became the fourth player to confirm he would be extending his stay at the club back in April, after Sam Fielding, Harrison Hopper and Dylan Mottley-Henry.

The 25-year-old signing forms to remain with the club means he will continue under the tutelage of manager Mark Bower.

That is something that delights Lund, who said: “Yeah I’m very pleased to be honest with you. It was the right decision for me.

“Obviously I believe in the gaffer and I believe in (assistant) Bosh (Danny Boshell) as well as (player/coach) Tully (Ryan Toulson) when he helps out, so it was a no-brainer really.”

Lund has been integrated as a highly-versatile player in his years with the club, having first joined in 2019, something he gives a lot of credit to Bower for.

The defender said: “When I first came, I was naturally a full-back, but we were struggling for positions so I’ve played midfield and I’ve played centre-half.

“And since I’ve been playing centre-half, I feel like that’s become my more comfortable position, and I feel like I’ve fitted in well and nicely.”

Bower and Boshell continued to receive praise, with Lund saying: “I think they’ve done a lot to be honest with you.

“If I ever make a mistake, they’ll pull me in training or after a game and they’ll tell me what I can do better or what I should have done, and then again on the flip side when I do something good they’ll talk to me about that and to keep doing that.

“If it helps the team out I’ll do the best that I can do, or really what the gaffer and Bosh want me to do.”

Mark Bower has been key to Mitch Lund's progress over the years. Picture: Tom Pearson.

Injuries dampened the end of Lund’s campaign, as a hamstring tweak forced the defender out for nearly a month.

He said: “I always try to keep as many clean sheets as possible, trying to score as many goals as I can too but obviously I didn’t get too many, I think only one last season.

“But my main goal after getting an injury at the end of the campaign is to try and stay fit throughout the whole of next season.”

Attendances increased at the Horsfall Stadium last season, with crowds of over 600 regularly attending.

Lund showed gratitude to the supporters, saying: “Obviously they were excellent last season.

“I’d say to please come to as many games as possible and support us as that always helps us.

“We can hear them and it’s good to speak to them after the game. But my message would be just to keep supporting us really.”

Lund and his teammates will be preparing for the new campaign with pre-season friendlies, with matches confirmed against recently-relegated Scunthorpe United and local rivals Guiseley.

Season tickets are now available at £140 for adults, £125 for concessions, £45 for students, £30 for anyone aged between 12 and 17 and juniors for as little as £10.