Bradford (Park Avenue)’s director of football Martin Knight has told the T&A that nearly 50 candidates have applied for the vacant manager’s job at the club, including some ‘surprise’ names.

Mark Bower and his assistant Danny Boshell were sacked two weeks ago, and in a previous interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Knight said Avenue were confident of having a new man in charge by the end of this month.

He confirmed with the T&A that was still the plan, with Avenue’s plight meaning appointing the right new boss is imperative.

The BD6 side are only outside of the Northern Premier League Premier Division drop zone on goal difference, with a second successive relegation a real possibility.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Connor Shanks danced through to score for Avenue at Gainsborough on Saturday, but the visitors lost the game 2-1.Connor Shanks danced through to score for Avenue at Gainsborough on Saturday, but the visitors lost the game 2-1. (Image: John Rhodes.)

But Knight is delighted with the interest shown in the role, saying: “We closed the applications for the new head coach on Wednesday night, and I processed those on Thursday.

“I’ve got 47 applications in, I’ll probably shortlist 10 for phone screening interviews, then the plan is for me to come over to the UK and interview them face to face with the consultant we’ve brought in.

“That should all happen this week and we’ll want somebody in before the end of the month.

“We’ve had really good applications for the role, some incredible people who I was surprised were interested in the project (essentially a first team head coach who also plays a significant part in helping out and growing the club’s academy).

“All in all, I think we’re going to be able to pull off what we were hoping for.”