If chairman Frank Thornton gets his way, Bradford Park Avenue will be playing Conference football next season.

With plans afoot to create either a national or a regional second tier of the division below the Football League, Thornton wants to see Avenue as part of the new scheme.

He received a letter from the Conference at the back end of last year and will put the club forward to be part of the new pyramid system in the offing.

"If there is going to be a second division of the Conference we want to be part of it," said Thornton, a life-long fan of the club who is based near Oxford.

"If we miss the boat on this we could find ourselves effectively demoted so of course we will be putting our name forward.

"It is unclear exactly how the system will work but we will endeavour to be a part of it if it does happen."

Current plans would see either a second tier of the Conference come in to being next season, or two regional divisions. There would be guaranteed promotion and relegation between the two.

For financial reasons, Thornton would like to see the latter idea accepted.

"I would not be too keen on playing in a national division at this stage," he continued.

"And I think a lot of clubs in the feeder league feel the same. But a regional competition would be a good opportunity for the club.

But despite his enthusiasm, Thornton is not overly impressed with plans to tinker with the current pyramid format.

"A vote was taken last year that the system would not be altered," he added.

"But again somebody has decided to mess about with the non-league game. If it does take place there are many questions that would still need answering about ground suitability and promotion and relegation issues.

"We will be watching this one very carefully."

And Trevor Storton, the Avenue manager, is also keen on the Conference idea.

"If it does happen we would definitely want to be part of it," said Storton.

"Everyone at this club wants to test themselves at the highest level and this looks like a chance to do that."