BRADFORD Park Avenue made their fifth close season signing this week when they brought in Massiah McDonald from Nicky Law’s Alfreton Town.

The winger, who can also play striker, jumped at the chance to join Avenue, even though it meant stepping down a division, after meeting with Bradford boss Martin Drury.

The Montserrat international said: “I’m happy to be given the opportunity at Bradford Park Avenue and to work with the manager. Recently I think over the past few seasons I’ve not been given the opportunity, in the Conference Premier especially.

“Obviously as a player you want to stay in the Conference, but when Martin met up with me and he explained the ambition that Bradford Park Avenue have got, it made my decision instant.”

At just 24 he fits the profile of player Drury and his assistant Jamie Price have targeted as they look to take the club forward.

McDonald’s talent and goal scoring ability have never been in doubt. During spells at Worksop and Matlock, he scored 45 goals in 95 games and he earned his two international caps earlier this year in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

But those aspects are not the only things his reputation is built on.

He said: “I think a lot of managers will have heard of me for good reasons and there will probably be some bad reasons as well, but fans might know my name because of a lot of the things I put on Twitter in the past.

“But everyone knows my ability and I think any fan who has seen me from the Evo-Stik up to the Conference Premier can say that I am a good player. I think I just need to work under a manager who understands me a bit more.

“I’m very tricky, I’m quite quick, I’m a flair player, and I feel if I’m restricted, if the manager doesn’t want me to express my ability and how I want to play, it limits what I can offer to the team.”

Like the players who Drury has already brought in – James Walshaw, Paul Marshall, Michael Potts and keeper Jon Stewart – McDonald has been sold on the club’s prospects of promotion.

“I’ve spoken to Martin and I spoke to my agent as well. My plan for next year as an attacking player is that I want to hit a minimum of 15 to 20 goals,” he said.

“I don’t usually set myself targets. I used to set them when I was in the Evo-Stik and when you have something to work towards I think it makes you have that bit more determination and a bit more drive. The last couple of seasons I’ve not really set myself targets and I’ve not had that.

“The plan this year is to get promoted with Bradford Park Avenue. I wouldn’t have joined otherwise. That is the minimum aim.”

Following the announcement that FC Halifax Town would be the first to play on the Horsfall Stadium pitch after the work over the summer, Avenue have now confirmed another three pre-season friendly fixtures.

They will face Selby Town away on Tuesday, July 7 and Yorkshire Amateur away on Saturday, July 11 before hosting the Shaymen on Monday, July 20. The following Saturday (July 25), they will host neighbours Guiseley.