A multi-millionaire businessman has become the new owner of Bradford Park Avenue Football Club and has pledged to regain its Football League status within five years.

Building firm boss Robert Blackburn, 40, has been appointed as the club's new chief executive after he purchased the majority shareholding from club vice-president, Frank Thornton, for an undisclosed fee.

Holme Wood-born Mr Blackburn took control at a board meeting today after a month of negotiations.

He is the managing director of Bradford-based building firm, Kelvic Holding and Development Ltd, and he has enlisted the services of his firm's accountant to oversee the club's finances.

Mr Blackburn, a former pupil of Wyke Manor Upper School, said: "The top and bottom of it is I'm a Bradford lad and I'm in a position to retire in the next five years and I want to put something back into the community and raise the profile of this club.

"Last year the club worked very hard and raised £19,000 in sponsorship but I'm aiming for £150,000 for next season.

"I've already secured £62,500 of that through my contacts in the building trade. We are offering a great package for sponsors. They'll get a whole page in the programme, select the player of the match and present them with a prize afterwards.

"My priority is to create a professional, corporate image. The chairman has done a fine job in keeping things going, but it always comes down to money.

"Over the last week the wage bill has gone up by £500. We've got four new players coming in, including Kevin Sanasy and John Worsnup who used to play for Bradford City. I've got a five-year plan to get the club into the Football League, that's the ultimate aim.

"The club has been in discussions with the Council about improving the ground (Horsfall Stadium). I've been trying to purchase it and expect some kind of deal to be thrashed out in the next three months.

"A team with sights on the Football League needs to increase its stadium capacity. We're targeting youth levels to improve the team and we are putting a package together where coaches come in to work with schoolchildren.

"To say this is an exciting time is an understatement. I've got a big holiday home in Spain and a yacht, but the thought of this has been much more exciting. I haven't slept properly, I finished working at 11.45 on Monday night."

Club chairman John Dean said: "This is a very exciting time to be an Avenue supporter, it represents the long-overdue wakening of a sleeping giant."

Club historian and supporter Tim Clapham, of Nab Wood, Shipley, said: "Accrington Stanley are the model for us to follow. Only a few years ago we were playing them but they got a bit of money and they are playing in the Football League."

Bradford Park Avenue are fifth in the first division of the Unibond League - four tiers below the Football League after suffering consecutive relegations in the past two seasons.

The club was formed in 1863 and competed in the Football League between 1908 and 1970 before it went into liquidation in 1974. It re-formed in 1988 and started to compete in the West Riding County Amateur Football League.

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