Plans are underway to begin the club's centenary season in style and with a list of pre-season friendlies that reflect Avenue's history in the game.

The plum game could be against Premiership giants Newcastle but Bradford are unable to confirm just yet.

However, the timing of the Magpies' change of manager has put the proposed meeting in jeopardy.

"We obviously have big plans to celebrate our 100 years and we would like to have a prestigious list of pre-season games," said Avenue chairman Dr John Dean.

"Our vice president John Helm has spoken to Newcastle and he has been working hard to get them to come to Horsfall to kick our centenary off.

"That was before they made their announcement on Monday, but I understand John gets on well with Sam Allardyce so that will not do our chances any harm at all.

"I am also going to speak to Julian Rhodes again about a meeting with our neighbours City, which would be a superb addition to our list of friendlies."

Avenue have confirmed three home games, Coca-Cola League One side Huddersfield Town, Conference neighbours Halifax and newly-installed SPL outfit Gretna have all committed to a trip to Horsfall.

"As it stands Gretna are pencilled in to be our first match on July 18," said Dean, "That will be an excellent start. Not only have they just been promoted to the Scottish Premier League but it was only six seasons back when they came to us for a UniBond Division One league fixture.

"Huddersfield will come the following Wednesday - all three of the games confirmed so far are Wednesdays - while our manager Benny Phillips has also expressed his desire to play fixtures against suitable non-league sides. He obviously has to get some idea of how his squad will perform against the kind of opposition they will face next season."