New Bradford Park Avenue boss Simon Collins is drafting in a lot of players released by Football League clubs for the pre-season programme at Horsfall Stadium.

The former Huddersfield Town midfielder insists that if they are good enough, Avenue will nurture their talent.

Collins, his No 2 Peter Davenport and newly-appointed first-team coach Simon Baldry have a network of contacts from their own playing days in the full-time game and they are prepared to use them.

Collins said: “We have quite a few players coming in from clubs like Sheffield United, York City and Leeds United, who have all been released but are still wanting to make the grade.

“I could put a side out now made up entirely of young lads coming from Football League clubs and academies. Obviously we have to mix them with some experienced ex-pros and mature players from this level when the Evo-stick League kicks off.

“We know exactly what we need, and some of these young lads might be right for the coming season and form the basis of a squad that will be together, and hopefully successful, for years.

“Pete, Simon and myself have the experience to gauge if they have the right attitude and application. It’s not hard when you have seen so many players, and in the first few training sessions we will know who is staying and who won’t be asked back.

“The football will be out right from the first session when the players report back on June 26 because you can run just as hard with it as without it.

"No footballer likes just running and exercising because they want to play - in a five-a-side or a full training game.

“It is disguised running but just as draining, so you can tell who is working hard enough and who isn’t. I have been in management and coaching for a few years now and I’m not renowned for easy training sessions.”

Collins still wants everyone involved in last season’s near-miss promotion campaign to return so he can just add to the squad.

The club have stated their determination to make another push for the Conference North when the Evo-stick, which is the new sponsor for the Northern Premier League, fixtures begin in August.