National League Update – 22/04/2020

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Today the National League have confirmed that the rest of the games this season have been postponed, effectively ending the league. As a club we voted in support of the motion as to do so was the sensible and prudent thing to do in light of the unprecedented circumstances the community and country find themselves in. Allowing us to keep our fans, players and staff as safe as possible.

Whilst no firm decision has been made on promotions and relegations, we are now planning for life in the National League North for next season. We are in constant communication with the National League and the other clubs in the National League North, whom are currently debating how best to address promotions and any possible relegations for the 19/20 season. As soon as we have any news we will let you know.

The great news is that we have Mark and Danny contracted to us for next season and they are working hard on putting together a exciting and competive team for us to watch next year, and we hope to have news on some signings very soon.

We haven’t forgotten our loyal season ticket holders and we are currently discussing what we can do to address the 4 games they have missed out on and will communicate the remedy as soon as we have it.

For the National Leagues full statement please see below:

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-remaining-league-matches-61884

#keepsafe #UTA

Blyth Spartans Vs Bradford (Park Avenue) Virtual Match Commentary

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On Easter Monday Bradford should be travelling to the North East to play Blyth Spartans in a battle of the bottom two in National League North.

If you want your football fix, put those Easter Eggs down, and log in to the BPA Forum. Kick off 3.00pm.

After the successful experiment of virtual live match commentary of Bradford’s fixture at Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday which 14,408 people followed online. Horsfall Community Trust Trustee Keith Denison we be providing a similar service for this crucial clash at Croft Park, Blyth.

In a pre match interview with commentator Keith he had the following message for supporters.

It is my pleasure to bring you exciting coverage of the game. In return I would like you to consider making a donation.

All monies received would be shared equally between Bradford (Park Avenue) FC and its charitable arm, The Horsfall Community Trust.

It’s a difficult time for many football clubs and any monies received would greatly help the club with current financial commitments and with their plans for next season. The Trust is doing sterling work in the local community and funds are always welcome to help them continue delivering this service.

If you wish to make a donation please transfer the amount of your choice to:

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund – Halifax – A/C No 33569976 – Sort Code 05-06-81

To get full virtual match commentary go to – https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bpaforum/easter-monday-football-special-t6138.html

We are Bradford – and we love our football.

Martin Knight joins Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC as Director of Football Operations

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The board of directors of Bradford (Park Avenue) football club are pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Knight as their new director of football operations. In this role Mr. Knight will have complete control of all matters relating to football at the club from the first team down to the juniors. The club is currently working on an ambitious plan to improve Horsfall stadium and now needs to make changes to take full advantage of these amazing facilities once they are completed.

Club chairman Gareth Roberts commented, “We are very fortunate to have somebody with the knowledge and experience of Martin Knight available who can come in and help us build a successful and sustainable community club. It is even more important in these difficult times that we carefully manage our resources and we look forward to creating a club to be proud of”.

Martin has a background with more than 25 years’ experience in optimising the commercial performance of businesses across a varied number of sectors, most recently at SharkNinja, building a leading consumer brand. Martin focusses on developing a high-performance culture of leaders and operators, refining organisational structures and processes, and developing engaged and collaborative workforces. www.linkedin.com.in/martin-andrew-knightuk

“I am extremely honoured and excited to be joining Bradford (Park Avenue) and hope that with the support of our fans, staff, volunteers and board of directors, we can transform our club to be the standard bearer in how community clubs can operate on and off the field, from our junior section through to our 1st teams. There is a lot of hard work ahead of us all to achieve these ambitious aims, and a challenge of our current thinking and practices too. However, we have a lot of talented, dedicated and hugely passionate people involved already, whom I hope will join us in achieving this.”

National League Update – 31/03/2020

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The National League Board met earlier today and has reviewed its prior decision to suspend the competition until at least 3rd April 2020.

In consideration of the very serious and unprecedented national public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the National League, National League North and National League South competitions indefinitely.

The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with The Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019/20 season.

National League Update – 25/03/2020

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The National League held a Board discussion yesterday, which was the third such meeting in 11 days. The broad consensus was that our Clubs wish for a decision to be made to close the season as soon as possible.

The National League attended a further meeting last night (by video conference) with The Football Association, and The FA have been asked to assist us with making the decisions to officially postpone all remaining National League fixtures and to end the season as soon as possible for the purposes of player contracts.

The National League is also working with The FA to define all reasonable and practical options for the determination of the 2019/20 season, and to provide guidance to Clubs on dealing with player contracts, player registrations and the application of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We will continue to press for updates and will ensure that any further information is relayed to Clubs as soon as it is received.

Message From Chairman Gareth Roberts

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I hope everyone is keeping safe in these difficult times. This crisis will pass as have many others and meanwhile we work together to ease the pain and suffering that this virus is causing.

Firstly we plan to take care of our staff and players and we are working through the initiatives that the government has proposed so that they can be paid. Obviously like a lot of clubs around us we have lost revenue because of the cancelled matches.

Secondly there has been a tremendous effort behind the scenes to put together the new Horsfall Community Stadium project. Despite all the disruption from this virus we are still moving forward with our plans. It is still too soon to say that it is a done deal but we are very optimistic that it will get done. I would like to thank all of those who are working on this project for their enthusiasm and skill in getting it this close to the line. I include in that list our friends at West Bowling ARLFC, The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, the RFL, Sport England, Bradford Airedale Athletics Club and multiple levels of the Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Finally with improved facilities at our disposal, it will soon be time to turn to how we improve our football club. We are going to develop our youth teams and our Academy teams so that we have more participants and the quality of our play increases. The goal is to produce a quality first team that we can enjoy. This will take a little time but if we can build a solid pyramid of excellence, then our first team is going to provide results.

Stay well, and look after each other.

Up the Avenue.

Gareth Roberts.

Academy Trials – Postponed

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Due to the on-going Coronavirus pandemic and taking into consideration the advice from the UK government all future academy trials will be postponed.

However Bradford (Park Avenue) are still looking to recruit both male and female 16 to 18-year for the clubs Academy sides for the 2020/21 season.

The club is looking to find players for:

  • The Men’s Academy Squad
  • The Ladies’ Academy Squad
  • The Under 19’s Squad

If you would like to register your interested please complete the below registration form and email this to Des Hazel – desmond_hazel@hotmail.com

Academy Trial 2020 Registration Form

National League Update – 22/03/2020

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The National League will be holding a Board Update conference call on Monday morning.

The Board will review the League’s position concerning the suspension of the competition, and the financial position of Clubs following feedback submitted last week and in light of the Government’s recently announced economic interventions to assist businesses and protect workers.

The National League is currently in close dialogue with The Football Association, and we are discussing with them matters concerning season timings and the issues raised by Clubs concerning player contracts and registrations. These matters will also be discussed by the Board.

National League Statement

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At its Board Meeting on Friday, The National League decided to use its best endeavours to keep its season going in the face of unprecedented adversity. However, with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching global pandemic levels it has to accept that the situation is now out of its own control. In the knowledge of the government measures now announced including not to support sporting events with emergency services workers it is clearly not practical for its fixtures to be fulfilled in the immediate future.

In those circumstances and in line with The Football Association and the Professional Game, at a Board Meeting today, The National League has decided that its competition is now suspended until at least 3rd April 2020. The National League will continue to monitor the situation, but trusts that its loyal clubs, fans, players, officials, staff, volunteers and sponsors will accept that it has had no other choice but to reach this decision. It wishes everybody connected with the competition and indeed the whole country a safe passage through these turbulent times.

Bradford (Park Avenue) Sportsman Dinner Postponed

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Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic the Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund have all agreed to postpone the upcoming sportsman’s dinner.

The dinner which was originally to be held Friday 27th March will now go ahead Friday 9th October. The decision to postponed the event hasn’t been taken lightly but public health and safety has to come first.

Anyone who has purchased a ticket can use this at the rearranged event. Alternatively if you would like a refund please contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk