Bradford Park Avenue part ways with manager

He leaves the club alongside assistant Danny Boshell, with the decision made in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Basford United.

That result leaves Avenue 18th in the Northern Premier League, with the club having won just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions.

It has been a difficult return to Step 3 for an Avenue side that were relegated from the National League North on the final day of last season.

The club say the decision to part ways with Bower and Boshell - who returned for their second spell in charge in September 2019 - was made after "much soul searching".

Luca Havern will take over as head coach on an interim basis while the search for Bower's permanent successor begins.

A club statement read: "All who have had any involvement with both of these local legends will know what a couple of genuine, dedicated and good people they both are.

"Over the last three seasons, they have worked tirelessly within the frame work of the club's playing budget and ethos of developing young talent to keep us in the National League North.

"Sadly circumstances last season meant they couldn’t ever really put out their strongest side enough times to avoid relegation.

"Despite that disappointment, they agreed to take on the challenge to try to bounce straight back up. Unfortunately results so far this season haven’t been what anyone involved with the club would’ve wished for, and so during the discussions about how to improve results, it was agreed to change management of the first team."

Photo credit: Bradford Park Avenue