BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have secured the future of another key player from last season, extending the stay of versatile youngster Lucas Odunston for another year.

Odunston, who was originally part of the Leeds United and Hull City academies, has found first team football at Horsfall, making over 30 appearances for Avenue last term.

Speaking about extending his stay, Odunston said: “Yeah I am buzzing really.

"I spoke with (manager) Mark (Bower) and (assistant manager) Bosh (Danny Boshell) about getting the deal over the line, and it took a while because I went on holiday and it was all in the process, but I am absolutely delighted.

“I feel like my first season with Bradford I was in and out a bit, and it wasn’t a full season that I would’ve liked due to injuries and what not.

"But they’ve put the faith and the trust in me this year to stay fit and to perform, and I couldn’t ask for any more.

"We’ve got a great set of lads and I can’t wait for the season."

The former Leeds prodigy expressed his love for the club, stating: “It’s going to be a tough season, but I love, love playing here.

"I love the fans, I love the stadium, it’s quality and I just want to push on.

"I think I’ve found my position now at right-back.

"I had been in and out of midfield but at the back end of the season I kept my form and my fitness, so I think I’m going to make that position my own and prove to Mark and Bosh that that is my position.”

Managerial duo Bower and Boshell have been receiving the plaudits of their players in recent weeks, which Odunston agreed with.

He said: “They’re one of the main reasons you want to stay here.

"So many players are coming in and so many players are re-signing and the main reason for that is Mark and Bosh.

"It’s one of those things, I personally have never had issues with managers but I know a few of my mates in football that have had little disagreements with managers.

"But I don’t think that I have ever, ever once thought they were out out of line or out of order, even when I wasn’t playing and was on the bench.

"I’ve never really been on the bench in my life, but coming into my first season of men’s football I was and there was no hostility towards them, because they do their job and they do it amazingly.

"You sit back and just can’t fault them one bit. They are top people.”

Avenue will be kicking off their National League North campaign against recently-relegated King’s Lynn Town on August 6.

Odunston said: “It’s going to be a challenge, but for me personally this is what you play football for.

"You’re either fighting against relegation, for the play-offs, or you just want to be comfortable in the middle.

"Personally, I think we’re building a strong team, we’ve kept a lot of core players from last year and we’re bringing in some good players from pre-season.

"And Bosh and Bows are here, so we should be pushing for play-offs.”

Avenue’s defence was key to their survival last season, something goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy has made a tattoo bet on for the upcoming campaign.

Odunston is backing him, saying: “I was speaking to George about the interviews and was chatting to him about it, and he said he’s got something in place with (goalkeeper coach) Danny (King) and I’ve said to him, I fully agree with him.

"The end of the season, the team we had, the team we’ve built, defensively, and I’m not just saying this because I’m in the back four, but defensively we were so good and were getting clean sheet after clean sheet after clean sheet.

“I think at one point we had a string of about six or seven clean sheets in a row, because we were looking at each other and thinking about how unbelievably we were doing as a team.

"With our tracking back, (striker) OJ (Oli Johnson), I don’t know how old he is, but to be able to come back and then carry the ball back up the pitch at that age is excellent.

"It’s clear why he’s had such a good career and is part of our team. It’s exciting to say the least.

“But no, no tattoos for me. Once I grow, once I fill out a little bit, I’ll get some tattoos.

"I told George to do what he wants to do, but I’m staying out of it.”

Bradford (Park Avenue) are next in action on Tuesday night, with National League outfit Oldham Athletic the visitors to West Yorkshire for a 7:45pm kick-off.