Avenue chief executive Bob Blackburn believes some of the club’s players have been given a ‘reality check’ in the close season.

The summer has been one of wild speculation regarding the squad following Avenue’s statement on its reduced budget for the coming term.

It was thought some players would look to move on in search of better offers and a vast overhaul under new boss Simon Collins was predicted.

But following the club’s first three training sessions, Blackburn said: “There were a lot of new faces, which is always nice to see, but a lot of familiar faces as well.

“Many of the players from last season have come back and we are still talking terms with some of them.

“We had to cut the wages and we told the players that at the end of last season when we missed out on promotion in the play-off final.

“No decisions were taken there and then. We just asked them to go away for the close season and come back for discussions when pre-season started.

“There was talk of some not being prepared to take a cut and they would be moving on but some have come back to take what they can get. I think it was a reality check for a few of them and they have found out that other clubs are doing what we are.

“It is a sign of the times because everyone is making cutbacks, so it is not just something that is affecting football clubs.

“What it does do is give us a chance to entice players to the club that want to play for Bradford Park Avenue. At the end of the day, the big names on the big bucks last season didn’t do it, did they?”

Blackburn has been impressed with the new training regime under Collins.

He said: “It was different to last season with new methods and schedules but it was very good to see, and Simon and his coaches gave the players a real workout.” “Last Saturday was all about fitness work after seven weeks without training. Tuesday the football came out and Simon put them through their paces first before they had a bit of practice.

“It was different to last season with new methods and schedules but it was very good to see and Simon and his coaches gave the players a real workout. They will be in three times a week from now on and playing the friendlies from next Saturday.”