Bradford Park Avenue are looking at a very busy summer after announcing that they have eight confirmed pre-season friendlies and could add another two games to that list.

Proven marksman Rory Patterson, and the rest of the close-season signings, will be on view from three weeks tomorrow.

Avenue’s first friendly opponents will be Bradford City’s Coca-Cola League Two cohorts Macclesfield Town.

That tasty morsel will be served up at Horsfall Stadium on Saturday, July 12 (3pm). A week later, City themselves will be sending a side to face Dave Cameron’s UniBond Division One North champions.

Avenue are scheduled to be on the road just twice in their pre-season build-up. They will make the short journey across the Pennines to Clitheroe and will head to Wales to take on Cameron’s former club Rhyl.

The Rhyl game (2.30pm)) is set for the last Saturday (August 9) before the UniBond League begins. Avenue will be playing their first fixture in the UniBond Premier since re-gaining that status, by last season’s promotion, the following weekend.

“We have some very good games coming up, and for pre-season there is the balance there that you need,” said Cameron.

The Bradford boss has worked hard to bring in the new faces he wanted and is now excited at the prospect of working with them.

The visit of the Bantams should bring in a good crowd, which will raise much-needed income. Macclesfield Town will also ensure the turnstiles are clicking and the pounds are coming in.

Droylsden, Clitheroe and Rhyl, who are at a similar level to Avenue, will provide realistic opposition and a genuine pointer to the fitness of Avenue’s squad.

Because of their place in the Principality League Of Wales, and their high finish last season, Rhyl are gearing up for a European campaign. They are working towards qualifying games for the UEFA Cup.

The visits of Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will be more about establishing links and strengthening contacts with the top clubs.

Both Premiership outfit Blackburn and Championship club Sheffield are sending representative sides.

“They have both told me that they will send strong squads for the games and that will suit me fine,” added Cameron.

“From what they say the sides will have reserves and promising youth players. It will be a good test for our players and it will give us the opportunity to show Blackburn and Sheffield that we have a good infrastructure and can offer loan players a good standard of football.

“Blackburn or Sheffield is not far away, less than an hour in either direction, and if we have the chance to get any players on loan from those clubs it would be beneficial for everyone.”