Work at Horsfall Stadium has already begun as Bradford Park Avenue gear up towards the coming season.

That means for the people behind the scenes at the club there will be little or no break during the close season but they are hoping that the supporters are already missing their football fix and will be back in droves to cheer on Bradford in the Blue Square Bet North Division.

Director Kevin Hainsworth said: “We won’t have a minute to ourselves.

"There is a lot of work that needs doing before the new season and there is still a lot we have to brush up on. It is a new venture for the club, and though it is exciting it will also take a huge amount of effort.”

Firstly there is a list of improvements that must be undertaken following the visit from the Conference League’s ground-grading committee.

“We know that the floodlights need looking at and other little jobs here and there just so that we can stay in this division.

"When the league give you a certificate to say your ground has passed, they also point out what needs upgrading and we have to work to their deadlines.

“They set down certain criteria that are allowed as a new club but not an existing one so we have to get all those things done or face the prospect of being relegated, no matter where we finish, at the end of the season.

“I’m sure the jobs will be done well before time but we have to be in negotiations with the league regarding rulings.

"For instance there should be a separate stand for away fans but while our main stand is more than capable of accommodating a large crowd, it is a single structure.

"So we have to come to arrangements for crowd segregation that they (the league) are satisfied with. It promises to be an interesting summer for our directors and football management team.”

Hainsworth hopes the step up in standard will be matched by increased attendances, not least to swell the gate receipts to help fund all the extra work off the field.

“We need to sit down and formulate our playing budget and look at resources to do the work but what we really need is the people of Bradford behind us,” added Hainsworth.

“We will be playing at a higher level, which brings more exposure and the interest in our club has increased exponentially.

"We know we have a very strong core support but we hope our people (Bradfordians) are out in force to get behind us in the big derbies against Guiseley and FC Halifax Town.

“With Altrincham, Boston, Chester and Kettering all in the division, there will be some well-supported clubs coming to us and we don’t want to be outnumbered on our own ground.

"I’m sure we won’t be as you only have to look at Guiseley and how their support increased dramatically after they went up - mind you they have maintained that interest by keep challenging for another promotion.”