BRADFORD (Park Avenue) captain Luca Havern insists he will be prioritising playing for the club next season, despite now becoming a member of the coaching staff too.

Veterans like Jake Webster (Keighley Cougars) and Glenn Morrison (Bradford Salem) have taken on similar dual roles in other sports over the last few years, with a view to only playing if needed.

But Havern told the T&A: “First things first, I’m available to play.

“I made 43 appearances last season and I still want to have as many games as I can next year.

“But I’m mindful that I turn 35 in September so I have to balancing wanting to play with being conscious of the age I am.

“I want to use my experience to help the younger players on the field and be a voice in the changing room still.

“I’ve played in the league below before briefly too, so I can advise the lads on some of the teams we’ll be facing now we’ve been relegated.”

But advice is a two-way street, with Avenue manager Mark Bower, his assistant Danny Boshell, and Havern’s former team-mate Ryan Toulson all having combined playing and coaching roles in the past.

Havern said: “I’m absolutely happy to be advised. I’ve learnt off others before and that will continue now.

“I really respect Mark and Danny and class them as friends, so it will be good to get the experience of this role alongside them.

“I’ve already chatted to them about our pre-season plans too, even though our last league game was less than two weeks ago, so the work never stops.

“With Tully, he was one of the first to congratulate me on getting this role.”

Toulson made the brave step of leaving his player-coach role at Avenue to take over as Eccleshill United’s player-manager, a role he resigned from last week after just one season in charge.

Asked if he fancied a top job soon like his good friend, Havern said: “Management’s not really something I’ve thought about yet.

“I was only a player a month ago, so I’m just taking this new role in my stride.

“Who knows what the future will bring, but for now, I’m happy learning under Mark and Danny, and will doing what I can to support the team as a player and a coach.”

The centre-back told the T&A it was “always in his mind to stay” at Avenue despite them being relegated to the Northern Premier League Premier Division on the final day of 2022/23.

Many might expect a bit of a player exodus now Avenue’s 11-season stay in National League North is over, but will the inspirational Havern’s decision to remain at the club encourage others do the same?

He reflected: “I guess it might.

“I’ve built a rapport with the younger lads, as you always need to balance their presence with having senior players who can help them.

“I hope we can keep the nucleus of lads that nearly kept us up, and I know a few are under contract for next season anyway.

“The club are talking to others about extending their deals too and that’d be great, as it would be good to keep the momentum of the final few weeks of last season that almost kept us up.

“If we can build on that, then bring a few more new faces in, that should stand us in good stead.”