Thorne scored 17 league goals last season

Veteran striker Peter Thorne has signed a new one-year contract with Bradford.

The 35-year-old, who has scored 32 goals in 71 appearances since signing from Norwich, had considered retiring after a persistent back injury.

But after leading the Bantams' scoring charts for the past two seasons, Thorne has decided to stay at Valley Parade.

Manager Stuart McCall told the Telegraph & Argus: "We know we've got a good goalscorer and now it's about finding the right one alongside him."

He added: "If we manage to bring in a young one up front, they can only learn from Pete."

It will be Thorne's third season at Valley Parade after deciding to take a 50% cut in wages to stay on.

He is certainly enjoying his football and it doesn't sound like he wants to pack in soon Stuart McCall

Thorne is 36 on Sunday but McCall believes he has the capability to play for several years more.

"A couple of seasons ago he was probably looking to wind down but now he is enjoying his football that much that he wants to continue.

"We met up on holiday and Pete was very interested when I was telling him about playing on until I was 40.

"He is certainly enjoying his football and it doesn't sound like he wants to pack in soon.

"Obviously with the little niggles that Thorney has had there's no guarantee he will play 'X' amount of games. That's why finding the right package for him was tough.

Evans (right) scored 13 goals for Macclesfield last season

"But if he does get 30 to 35 games there's a good chance he will end up with 15 to 20 goals, as he has done for the last two seasons. That's why I was desperate to keep him. "

McCall also confirmed his interest in Macclesfield Town striker Gareth Evans but admitted finance could prove a stumbling block in bringing the 21-year-old to Valley Parade.

"We've made an inquiry but at the moment nothing will be happening because of the fee Macclesfield are after," he said.

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