The players, staff and board all indulged themselves in a much needed spot of rest and recuperation at the end of season awards night while they mixed with fans at the clubhouse at Horsfall Stadium.

For the faithful supporters the end of a second dreadful season in succession could not come quickly enough.

Having endured the agony, they had every right to join in the winding-down process.

As with every club, especially ones that have just suffered a setback, the expectations of a brighter future are already beginning to raise excitement levels.

Avenue are no different and they are looking to bounce straight back.

One of the reasons to be cheerful is young striker Tom Greaves, who began his Avenue career in the Conference North but will be plying his trade in the UniBond Division One next season.

Greaves finished as top scorer and also picked up the player of the year award at the evening co-compared by director of football Alan Hurst.

Former Bradford City youth Liam Flynn was also a double winner.

Flynn was named young player of the year (the Maurice Garside award) in the main ceremony and picked up the club's website player of the season award.

The website's goal of the season vote went to the screamer that Damian Dunne unleashed in the away game at Burscough.

The junior supporters' player of the year was Dean Calcutt, who skippered the side in several games during his second spell at Horsfall Stadium.

Danny McLaughlin was the reserve team player of the year who former manager Gary Brook had huge hopes for.

Clubman of the year was presented to Gary Broadhead and the chairman's special award was given to Steve Burnett, the club's secretary for the amount of work he has ploughed through during his time at Avenue.

More positive news followed days later with news that Scarborough are set to confirm a friendly with Avenue.

Boro boss Neil Redfearn, whose father was a player for Avenue in their Football League days in the 1950s, is reportedly keen on adding them to his club's list of pre-season fixtures.

Scarborough have already committed to a warm-up fixture with Bradford City.

Avenue will line up in a 24- strong UniBond Division One next term two more than the Premier Division and most of step four in the pyramid system.