New Bradford Park Avenue manager Simon Collins has accepted some collateral damage as the club trim their budget but is bullish about the chances of his new-look side to mount another promotion challenge.

Last season’s leading scorer Aidan Savory and second-top marksman Chris Hall are both confirmed departures but perhaps the biggest loss will be that of Bradford-born Pakistan international Amjad Iqbal.

The loss through injury of Iqbal for two periods definitely had a negative impact on last season’s near miss.

Outgoing manager John Deacey saw points slipping away as Iqbal was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder early in the campaign and then due to a hamstring injury in the penultimate month.

But former Huddersfield Town midfielder Collins remains undaunted as he takes the reins at one of his other previous clubs.

“We have got a good, healthy squad and there will be competition for places in the coming season,” he said.

“We would have been keen on keeping a lot more of last season’s squad but we are working within budget restraints. Some players won’t accept that and have moved on for the promise of the same money or more money.

“Because the club came so close to promotion to the Conference League in the season just gone, some of the players want to play at a higher level and if that’s their reason for leaving then fair play to them.

“Everyone has ambitions in life and I won’t hold anyone back. It is not the policy of the club to stop anyone from progressing. In fact, it reflects well on the club and helps with recruiting younger players if players you have brought through go on to play in the Football League or Conference.”

Collins has brought players in and re-signed the ones that wanted to stay at Horsfall Stadium. The supporters will have to be won over by the newcomers though.

Savory, despite finishing as top scorer, was never a fan’s favourite but Hall and the versatile Iqbal certainly were.

“I don’t know where the players that have decided to go will turn up in the coming season because they were all free agents and had the choice,” said Collins.

“They have left so we have to plan for the future but we still want to talk to others who were here last season. I would like to convince them it would be right to remain loyal and tell them of the new additions.

“Rob O’Brien, Nathan Drury, Ryan Serrant and Luke Gibson have all stayed with us and we have signed Nathan Hey, James Riorden and David Brown, who was with Eastwood Town last season. On the whole I’m pleased with the way things have gone.”