BRADFORD (Park Avenue) appear to have made a highly-shrewd appointment, having brought in Vill Powell as their new assistant manager.

Powell parted ways with Brighouse Town in April after eight years in charge of the club, a near-lifetime for a manager by modern standards.

In that time, he led them to a play-off final triumph, as well as a West Riding County Cup final, all while helping to establish them as a respectable Northern Premier League outfit.

And he will now be locking horns with his former side, as Avenue and Brighouse both ply their trade in the NPL East Division.

Powell comes in as Craig Elliott’s right hand man, the former Boston United boss appointed as Avenue’s head coach at the end of last month following the sacking of Danny Whitaker.

Speaking to Avenue’s in-house media about becoming their new assistant manager, Powell said: “After speaking to Craig, it was a no-brainer to join.

“It’s a big club with a massive history and with everything in place to kick on.

“There is lots of work to do but the foundations are there.

“Our focus will be to get things moving in the right direction as quickly as possible.”

Elliott was equally delighted with the appointment, saying: “I’m really looking forward to working with Vill.

“He has a wealth of experience and in particular knows this league.

“He was enthusiastic to join BPA and he shares the same ambition as me to turn this club round."

But with the news of one major incoming comes a shock exit from the club, with Connor Dimaio departing for Matlock Town despite only arriving at Horsfall this summer.

Connor Dimaio captained Avenue to this exciting 3-1 win at Grimsby Borough only a fortnight ago, but he is no longer at the club.Connor Dimaio captained Avenue to this exciting 3-1 win at Grimsby Borough only a fortnight ago, but he is no longer at the club. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Dimaio initially joined Matlock in February 2023, but suffered a dreadful knee injury the following month.

A crowdfunding campaign was set up to allow the midfielder to have career-saving surgery, which received a healthy £1,000 boost from former Arsenal and current Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The England international was previously in the academy at Sheffield United alongside Dimaio and came to the aid of his former team-mate when he needed it most.

Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and Dimaio returned to Matlock’s first XI towards the back end of last season.

He was one of a number of new signings made by Whitaker over the summer, as Avenue looked to rebuild in the NPL East Division, following a second successive relegation.

Dimaio was quickly named captain of the side, and has featured in all-but-one of their competitive games so far this season.

But now his time at Avenue has come to an end, as he has joined Matlock in the division above.

His task will be to help Town to safety, as they are currently bottom of the NPL Premier Division with just one win from their opening nine games.