BRADFORD (Park Avenue) attacking midfielder Joe Crosby is hoping to prove himself at a higher level this season, having learnt his craft in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Having spent time with Silsden, Harrogate Railway and Tadcaster Albion in the ninth tier, he felt ready for the step up.

And having looked a threat in front of goal in pre-season already, Crosby already seems right at home at Horsfall.

He told the T&A: "I'm excited to have gone up another level, which is obviously positive for me.

"Scoring a few goals already has given me a confidence boost ahead of the season starting.

"That hopefully means I can get up and running straight away when we get going for real next weekend."

Crosby is also happy with how this summer has gone on a team level, saying: "I think overall pre-season's been really positive.

"I know we've been beaten 1-0 in our last couple of games but I think we've been playing really well and putting in good performances."

To mount a promotion push this season in the eighth-tier Northern Premier League East Division, Avenue are likely to have to make Horsfall Stadium a fortress, given they play and train on a slick artificial surface there that will be alien to many of their visitors.

Their final friendly should have been at the ground this weekend, against Farsley Celtic, but a double booking of the venue has forced them to take a trip to Hinckley Leicester Road instead.

Crosby admitted: "Playing at home will be a massive benefit for us, because of the style of play we want to have, so that game against Farsley on our 3G would have been perfect.

Bradford (Park Avenue) played some lovely football against a Bradford City XI last week, and a 3-0 defeat was harsh on them.Bradford (Park Avenue) played some lovely football against a Bradford City XI last week, and a 3-0 defeat was harsh on them. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

"But even though we're now going down to Leicester to face Hinckley, hopefully we can still implement the same game plan as we would do for a home game."

Avenue's next game after today will be their league opener at home to North Ferriby next Saturday, as they look to bounce back from two successive relegations.

An excited Crosby said: "I can't wait to get going.

"Hopefully we'll have a positive season and we can get the club back to where they should be at."

Ball-playing centre back Ben Whelan is set to join Crosby in the side to face Hinckley this afternoon too.

He has already been playing for Avenue this summer, and started their 3-0 defeat against Bradford City's youngsters last Tuesday, but the club only confirmed yesterday that he has signed for them on a deal until the end of the season.

Whelan came through as a youngster at Mansfield, then Fleetwood, while he spent time on loan in the NPL East last season with Sheffield FC.