Bradford Park Avenue have appointed Mick Couzens as their new reserves and under-19s manager.

The teams play on different nights so they will not clash in their respective Lancashire League and Under-19 Alliance League fixtures.

Couzens worked for over ten years as a full-time football coach in Saudi Arabia before returning to Bradford in 2003.

Prior to leaving the UK he was the driving force behind Eccleshill United's ambitions to progress up the non-league pyramid.

Couzens was behind schemes and funding to buy floodlights round the Plumpton Park pitch, obtain seats from Bradford City, put a roof on the stand and he obtained a grant from the Sports Council to build a floodlit training area.

He was appointed Avenue's under-19s manager 20 months ago and they finished fourth in the league last season, have been fair play award winners for the past two campaigns and last term they won the League Cup.

Couzens is currently taking his UEFA B coaching award and said: "First-team boss Benny Phillips and chairman John Dean both asked me to take on the responsibilities of bringing through the young players.

"After consulting with my coaching staff of Barry Thomas, Eric Charlesworth and goalkeeping coach Neil Cairns, we said yes."

Reserves boss Steve Newton last season promoted ten under-19 players into his team, which eventually found success by winning the Bradford & District Cup at Valley Parade. Newton has since moved on to be manager at Liversedge.

Couzens said: "I would like to complete the job of bringing some of these young players through the ranks.

"Simon Rawnsley and Steve Hollingworth both made their debuts for the first team last season and I would like to see more players make the step up."

It will be a tough task though as Avenue look to move quickly up the ladder of non-league football, with the aim of promotion next season from UniBond League Division One.

Couzens is also head coach of Bradford United Juniors, a thriving club formed in March 2006 that now hosts nearly 200 players aged four to 17.

Club chairman Dean said: "I am very pleased Mick has accepted the position of reserves team manager.

"He has done very well with the under-19s and as secretary for the reserves last season.

"He is well respected by all the players and it will be good news for them in the development of their abilities and progression towards the step up to the first team."

Couzens added: "I have been working with Benny over the past few weeks and we have formed a good relationship, so long may that continue."

The reserves have planned pre-season friendlies against Wibsey, Tyersal and Crag Road from the West Riding County Amateur League, while the under-19s have pencilled in matches against Whitby Town, Tadcaster Albion and a four-team tournament at Thackley for the Arthur Hylton Trophy.