Bradford (Park Avenue) have announced the appointment of Macclesfield Town legend Danny Whitaker as their new first team head coach.

Midfielder Whitaker takes over from long-serving boss Mark Bower, who was sacked by Avenue in early November.

As for the new man in charge, Whitaker made over 450 appearances for Macclesfield Town over two spells, helping them earn promotion back to the Football League in 2018, while he went on to become the first-ever manager of phoenix club Macclesfield FC in 2020, after the original club folded due to unpaid debts.

He also played for Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield, scoring 15 goals in 46 games to help the latter to the League Two title in the 2010/11 season.

Macclesfield remains Whitaker's last and only position in management, with him parting ways with the club last October while they were three points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League West Division.

The 43-year-old had been in extensive discussions with Avenue’s sporting director Tom McStravick, who had been acting as temporary first-team boss, for a few days about the vacant head coaching position and future opportunities at the club.

Whitaker was in attendance on Saturday, ironically at Macclesfield, to watch struggling Avenue’s sensational 4-3 NPL Premier Division win over his high-flying former club.

He was using the game on Saturday as further assessment in his plans for the club and he starts his new role as head coach at training this week.

Whitaker will work full time at the club and as well as leading the first team, he will be heavily involved in their growing academy project alongside McStravick.

In a club statement, Avenue said: “Danny addresses our wish for a leader who is experienced at, above and below this level.

“He fully understands our desire to develop young academy players with talent and has good contacts in the game.

“Please give Danny and the team your full support as they work to take us onwards and upwards.”

This Saturday will mark Whitaker’s first game in charge, as Avenue, one point clear of the drop, host mid-table Bamber Bridge.

The game kicks off at 3pm, with entry for all capped at £5.