The play-off defeat that ended Avenue's dreams of promotion back to the UniBond Premier Division will only serve to double the resolve of the club to ensure they make it next term.

Yet next season will provide a whole new set of problems to overcome if that ambition is to be achieved, with hints that it will be even harder to get out of the lower section.

Firstly, FC United of Manchester - the club formed by disgruntled supporters of the Old Trafford giants, who are rocketing through the non-league system - will be in the same division.

Secondly, with the proposed restructuring of this level, there will be two parallel tiers - a north/south divide or an east/west split, both with teams looking for promotion to the UniBond Premier.

That could mean just one club, obviously the title winners, promoted from each division. If the UniBond League wish to keep the play-off system for both first divisions, they would have to get agreement from the Premier Division clubs to have four teams relegated.

Either way, Avenue boss Benny Phillips is convinced he can lead the side to promotion next year. The full-time manager has not been with the club long but he only joined because of the massive potential he saw at Horsfall Stadium.

"I have definitely seen enough at this club to be full of expectation for the next campaign," said Phillips.

"New chief executive Bob Blackburn, the rest of the board and myself are very ambitious. We are all determined to ensure the club goes forward and we share the same vision.

"Off the field the club is all geared up for success. It is up to me and the rest of the staff to get the squad of players in place to reflect that desire on the pitch and to bring attractive, successful football here.

"We will bring more players in over the close season; we have to have a chat with those that want to stay first. There will be some that want to move on as the semi-pro game is very fluid, with players moving around more than at the full-time clubs."

Analysts are making FC United the favourites for promotion after they won the North West Counties Division One by a margin.

They lost just two of their 42 games, scored 157 goals and finished with a record points total of 112. They also play at Bury's Gigg Lane, which was once home to Phillips.

"If FC United are the tipped club then good for them, it will take a bit of the pressure off the rest of the clubs - us included," said Phillips.

"I have a lot of nice memories of Gigg Lane and I will be looking forward to going back there.

"FC get big crowds and will be good for the UniBond League. Having them in will raise the profile and it will be good for the finances of the clubs facing them.

"It will be a tough ask to compete with a club like that but we are looking forward to the challenge."

l Avenue are holding a junior tournament for under-eights and under-nines at Horsfall on Sunday from 11.30am.

There will also be a gala, which starts at noon, with attractions including an Army assault course, a tombola and a bottle stall.

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