BRADFORD Park Avenue's drive to integrate themselves more with the community in and around Low Moor, Odsal, Wibsey and the surrounding districts is being spearheaded by new manager Martin Drury.

One of the underlying reasons former Avenue boss John Deacey stepped aside was the more widespread role the new board want the manager to assume.

When Gareth Roberts bought the majority shareholding in the club, he revealed his vision for their future.

Roberts is determined to build a football club that is at the heart of the community and involve the locals. The new owner wants a club that has facilities the locals can use.

Drury took over the reins after being assistant manager to Deacey. He now has last season's first-team coach Jamie Price as his assistant and the pair have witnessed changes since they were installed.

"There are a lot of people working really hard to sort out little things here and there that needed putting right," said Drury.

"If we provide a good style of play and entertain the crowds, then the fan base will grow. John (Deacey) always thought that and he had the team play exciting football.

"But I've been at the club a couple of years now and the pitch has always played its part. Now there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes, John Mossley (director), John Dean (chairman before and after the takeover) and the rest of the board are pulling together and working really well – and so are the volunteers.

"We want to try to progress the football side of things but we also want the club to improve its profile and be an attractive place to come and watch football.

"We want a nice, friendly atmosphere that welcomes everyone from all parts of the community. What we don't want is a football club that is separated from the locals.

"We want them to come and watch good football and have a smile on their faces as they do it – and that's why a lot of hard work is going on from all angles.

"We'll just take care of the football side of things. Things are looking good and it's an exciting place to be."

The new management team will be focused on continuing Deacey's excellent work but are also charged with the responsibility of raising the profile of the club in Bradford.

Drury said: "The management role isn't that extensive away from the football side of it. We just want to help the club spread into the community and whatever we can offer on that front, we're happy to get involved with anything that is going to improve the relationship between the club and the community.

"Simple things – try and build relationships with the locals, anything where we can get involved or go and speak to people, we will put ourselves forward. We enjoy things like that anyway.

"Primarily we're concentrating on the football side of things. We don't want a secluded football club that isn't an attractive prospect for the locals, we want them to come and watch, get involved and have an enjoyable day while they're doing it."