National League North outfit Bradford Park Avenue have just been granted survival due to the FA's decision to declare steps 3-6 of non-league football null and void despite the club being 12 points adrift, leaving fans, staff and players alike delighted with the sparing.
Avenue striker Tom Clare has played a large role in the West Yorkshire side's recent great escape and voiced his pleasure at the news.
Clare said: 'It was a huge relief! This team and players do not deserve to be relegated.
"Yeah we 100% believe we can turn any team over in this league which has been proven in previous results, it’s a shame for the season to end so soon but it’s a positive for us."
Clare has impressed so far this season, scoring 5 goals in his 13 games.
In terms of his future he added: "I'd love to stay next season, it's the most I've enjoyed my football in a long time playing here, but giving the circumstances we'll just have to wait to see what happens."
One man who has helped to stabilise the club in recent times is Mark Bower, who has emerged as a hero to the Avenue fans in his second stint at the club.
Clare stated: "The relationship between myself and Bower is great, we get on very well.
"He is one of the best managers I have played under for a whole including Bosh [Assistant manager Danny Boshell] too.
"Top guys as well, and yes he has helped me improve even in a short space of time. He knows how different players take on criticism and information which is very good.
"But yeah there are loads in the dressing room like that. It's a good place to be, even if we are down at half time everyone picks each other up and has each other's backs, the banter's always flying about at training too!"
Clare finished off his message to the BPA fans saying: "Keep supporting us like you do!
"I know next season will be completely different regarding results."
The Avenue talisman is a former youth graduate of Barnsley but earned his first professional contract at Bradford City at the beginning of the 2018/19 season on a one year contract.
Considering his Bantams stint Clare declared: "Yeah I enjoyed my time at Bradford City.
"I learnt a lot but never got the chance to prove myself. And yes, myself and Edin [Rahic] got on well."
Clare will certainly be hoping to flourish under Bower's leadership next season in what could be a breakthrough year for the 20 year old's career. As a 6'5 forward, he could be a force to be reckoned with in England's sixth tier.
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