BRADFORD Park Avenue boss Alex Meechan has had a busy week checking on first-team opponents in Vanarama National League North and making arrangements for the club’s Academy.

Meechan was left furious last Saturday after his side were guilty of letting another costly late goal rob them of their just desserts from the derby against Harrogate Town.

However, doing his homework by watching some of the other sides in the division has not lightened his mood, and he is in no doubt that there are some tough games coming this term.

Meechan said: “It is a going to be a very competitive league this season because there are some excellent players at this level these days.

“I went to Fylde on Tuesday to see them play Salford City, and what an advertisement for this league that game was.

"It was a cracking game between two of the clubs who are strong favourites for promotion, and from what I saw I expect they will both be there or thereabouts.

“Salford have just come up but they have the backing and momentum.

"They looked very strong, and when you see the quality of the players on their bench who haven’t even got a start!

“Players like that come at a price but there are a lot of clubs in our league with the budget to attract them.

"Harrogate have made some big signings and they’re having another push this season – that’s why it was so frustrating to lose to them last weekend after more than matching them in the second half and getting back to 2-2.

“It is difficult to compete because of the disparity in the league we’re in but we hope to break the mould.

"I think we can challenge these sides and make a few sit up and take notice.”

Avenue's decision to become a community benefit society could provide Meechan with a conveyor belt of local talent.

That is the hope of the first-team coach who is also in charge of youth development.

Meechan said: “The Academy starting training this week has meant I’ve been busy every day when I’ve not been going to games.

"It’s pre-season for them and they have two friendly games next week.

“The applicants get their results from college in the next few days so we’ll know who have qualified and who we’ll be working with.

"They are all good players and very keen but their results will dictate who gets accepted and makes the squad.”