Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund Sportsman’s Dinner Tickets Still On Sale

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Bradford Park Avenue are looking forward to welcoming ex Nottingham Forrest and Wales footballer Mark Crossley as guest speaker and comedian Lea Roberts to our upcoming Sportsman Dinner.

The sportsman dinner will be held at the Midland Hotel Bradford on Friday 1st October at 19:00.

Tickets for the evening cost £37.50 per person and include a 3 course meal, corporate tables are also available. Tickets can be purchased from Dave Stordy in the Club Shop on match day or by contacting 01274 512989 / davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

We have also secured a concessionary Bed & Breakfast rate at The Midland Hotel for the evening. These can be booked directly with the hotel, quoting that you’re attending the dinner to receive your discount!

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund To Hold Beer Festival & Charity Day

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Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund in association with West Bowling ARFLC will be holding their annual beer festival at the Horsfall Stadium over the weekend of 10th – 12th September.

There will be a range of 13 different beers, 2 ciders, and food available over the weekend.

Friday 10th September – 5pm-11pm (Free Entry)
West Bowling Rugby Match @ 7pm
Live music from 8pm featuring Johnny & The B’s and pie and pea supper.

Saturday 11th September – 12pm-8pm (Free Entry After 4:30pm)
BPA Vs AFC Fylde @ 3pm

Sunday 12th September – 11am -10pm (Free Entry)
Charity day involving a number of football / rugby matches between ex players, fans and guests.
There will also be stalls, games, and live music. All funds raised will be donated equally between the Horsfall Community Trust and the Marie Curie Hospice. 

Barrels are now available to sponsor at £100 per barrel. Sponsorship will include – programme publicity, 2 free tickets for a BPA home game and 4 beer tokens to be used over the weekend.

For further information or to offer any support for the event please contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

Match Report – Kettering Town

A first-half penalty from Claudio Ofosu separated Kettering Town and Bradford (Park Avenue) at a sunny Latimer Park on the opening day of the Vanarama National League North.

The game’s only goal happened following a foul from Oli Johnson on Ofosu inside the box. The winger got back up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Despite the hot conditions, it was an entertaining first-half with both sides having chances.

The Avenue troubled the Poppies, but Johnson’s strike from 14 yards flew over.

Minutes later, the Bradford dugout appealed for a penalty. After being put through from Isaac Marriott, Luke Rawson’s low shot from 16 yards was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Rhys Davies. The ball spun into the air and as Jake Hibbs was quick to rise highest to head the ball towards goal, the midfielder went down inside the box as Davies failed to catch the ball. The referee Richie Watkins waved the Avenue protests away and awarded a goal kick.

Then, it was the Poppies, who looked dangerous from set-pieces and long throw-ins, who were awarded a penalty. Ofosu tried to take the ball around Johnson, who stuck out his left leg and made contact with the winger. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Ofosu got back on his feet and sent Avenue goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer the wrong way to the delight of the home supporters.

Before the half-time whistle, Paul Cox’s side hit the woodwork as defender Luke Ward smashed a volley against the crossbar from close range.

The visitors responded with an opportunity to equalise. But, after a fine delivery from Hibbs found captain Luca Havern, the defender’s header went inches wide of the post from 12 yards.

After the break, both managers made substitutions, with few attempts on goal.

But, with being behind the scoreboard, the Avenue pushed forward in the later stages of the game and somehow, failed to hit the back of the net.

Firstly, a low volley across the box from Havern found makeshift left-back Mitch Lund, but the defender blasted the ball over from 12 yards.

With the final whistle approaching, Johnson saw a left-footed effort cleared off the line from eight yards. From the rebound, new signing Akeel Francis did well under pressure to get a header on target, but the ball crashed off the underside of the bar.

Into additional time, Mark Ross saw a cross deflected by Rhys Sharpe strike the top of the crossbar and away from danger.

Seconds later, the referee blew the full-time whistle as the Poppies held on for a narrow victory.

Kettering Town: Davies, Barrett (Calder 83), Sharpe, Unwin, Ward, Dyche, Powell, Neal, Stones (Perry 52), Storher, Ofosu (Sheriff 60)

Subs not used: Crawford, Cook

Goal: Ofosu (pen 23)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Saltmer, Ross, Windass, Marriott, Havern, Lund, Nowakowski (Clee 60), Hibbs, Rawson (Francis 75), Johnson, Dockerty (Guilfoyle 57)

Subs not used: Fawcett, Bolton

Referee: Richie Watkins

Attendance: 762

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund – Fantasy Premier League 2021/22

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We shall be running another Fantasy Premier League this season.

Our Pep Guardiola for 2020-21 was Jordan Tindall with his team Melted Cheese FC and our Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was Matt Ray with Sliced Bread FC.  

Our wooden spoonist was Joseph Brown with his team Wednesday Avenue.  Fortunately for Joseph there is no relegation.  He’s going to be better than that this time round. 

Of course, you could outperform all of the above.  Prove it by signing up for the 2021-22 season now. The game starts on 13 August.

For joining instructions email keith.bonney@bpafc.com

For a flavour of what it is all about, hop over to the Development Fund page of the website.

Your Chance To Obtain Away Travel Discount

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Changes made by the football club for travelling to games has given the opportunity for running fans only coaches this season. 

By paying an upfront fee to the BPA Development Fund and becoming an Away Travel Member, you would benefit from discount on the coach price for all away trips as well as priority booking. Non-members would also be able to book any spare places, but at normal rates. 

Membership Fees for the season 2021/22 have been set at £20 Adults, £10 U18/Juniors, payable on, or before, the first booking.

Trips are to be classified as Category A, B, or C, with A being the longer distance ones.

A subsidy for the U18s has also been included when setting prices, coming out of the Development Fund’s fundraising activities, going towards any difference to Adult prices. This idea was picked up from a fan’s comments in fact. 

Category A Prices

Members            £19    U18   £12

Non-Members   £22    U18   £14

Category B Prices

Members            £16     U18   £10

Non-Members   £19     U18   £12

Category C Prices

Members            £14     U18    £9

Non-Members   £17     U18   £11

The prices are dependent on the uptake of numbers paying the upfront fee for the discounts, and total numbers booking. More going could see reduced prices. We are looking for a minimum of 31/32 each trip to maintain the prices shown.  To sign up please download and complete the below form:

The first three away league games are;

Aug 14th Kettering   Category B

Aug 28th Chorley     Category C

Sept  4th Darlington Category C

Depart times to be announced, but are to be set at arriving approx 90 minutes before kickoff, 45-60 for any evening games, leaving 30-35 minutes after finishing. Any differences to timings would be notified in advance. 

As the saying goes “Book Early!” One for the older ones amongst the Green Army ranks, as opposed to “Don’t Panic!” You just might if the coach is filling up though! 

Contacts:-

Neil Fawcett   (DF Desk, clubhouse) 07811959003. neilfbrearcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Dave Rawling   (DF Desk, clubhouse)   

07748340041 dave.rawling@talktalk.net

DaveStordy   (Programme shop)

Any other Group member would also be happy to assist. As we are with all Development Fund matters. 

2021/22 Pitch Square Sponsorship Scheme

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Following on from the huge success of the  pitch squares sponsorship in 2020/21 the development fund are now relaunching for season 2021/22 with a potential bonus to participants this season.

But firstly the BPA Development Fund would like to thank all sponsors for the 2020/21 season in which we managed to sell all squares.

The cost of a pitch squares for the 2021/22 season will remain at £10 a square.

However as an added incentive for this season when/if all squares are filled a monthly draw of £25 will take place until the end of the 2021/22 season.

To sign up please complete the below application form and return this to the details listed.

So let’s spread the word to fill these squares again ahead for the new season!!

UTA!!

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 & 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥

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Anyone wishing to commemorate the memory of a loved one or couple? Former fans or just family or friends even.

How about doing so by way of a good quality 6 seater picnic bench in the Fan Zone being created in front of the clubhouse, or a reel table in the new Horsfall Memorial Garden to the rear? If not, a commemorative wall plaque perhaps?

Several of each design of table are still available, and will be fitted with an engraved plaque, with an agreed choice of wording.

The wall plaques (6” x 2”) are to be displayed on a Wall of Remembrance in the Horsfall Memorial Garden and are now also available to order, again with agreed wording.

By doing so, you will also have supported the Development Fund, enabling further improvements and benefits to all fans and other users and the club itself.

The prices have been set to cover the cost of the tables and plaques, with a small donation to Bradford Park Avenue Development Fund also included. These donations will go towards future maintenance of the garden, including plants and flowers etc.

Prices:-

6 Str Picnic Table £200

Reel Table £45

Wall Plaque £25

Please email the Development Fund on bpadevtfund@gmail.com to place an order or enquire re further details. During the playing season, members can usually be found by asking in the clubhouse.

UTA!

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund – Fantasy Premier League End Of Season Update

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Thank you to the 26 managers who took part in our Fantasy Premier League game for 2020-21.  We raised £155 for the Development Fund.  Most importantly, we all had fun.

As reported in January, the runaway winner of the first half of the season was Jordan Tindall with his team, Melted Cheese FC.  The runner up was Lucy Denison with Tikka Mo Salah.

We had another runaway winner in the second half of the season.  This time it was Matt Ray with his team, Sliced Bread FC.  The lesson seems to be, think food when naming your team.  The runner up was Keith Bonney with Green llama.

As well as winning the second half of the season comfortably, Matt reached the tenth round of the cup.  A remarkable achievement.

So dominant were Matt and Jordan, they finished the season more than one hundred points ahead of our third-place finisher, Lucy Denison.   The winner of the 2020-21 Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund Fantasy Premier League, finishing a mere four points ahead of his rival is…

Jordan Tindall with Melted Cheese FC.

Congratulations Jordan.

No prizes.  Just bragging rights.

To find out who won our manager of the month competitions head over to the Development Fund section of the website.

We shall be running another Fantasy Premier League in 2021-22.  We hope you will join us.  If you are interested, contact Keith Bonney  keith.bonney@bpafc.com

Statement from National League North and South Clubs

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’Firstly, we wish to acknowledge the decisiveness in which the National League dealt with our concerns by supporting our request for the immediate suspension of our competitions on January 22. 

We have this evening received a letter from Nigel Huddleston MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Sport, Tourism and Heritage) inviting us to a webinar tomorrow, which will allow Sport England to set out the criteria for loans and grants (the latter of which is available only for those with no ability to repay loans).

Loans are merely an extension to our life support and therefore foolhardy.

We have yet to receive any assurances as to how we may mitigate against our inability to test our employees and volunteers for COVID, or against the government’s insistence that we trade whilst insolvent.

With no apparent end in sight, this excruciating pandemic has us all facing financial imbalances of varying degrees. 

All of this is adding to additional stress and uncertainty that could and should have been avoidable.

Having since been ordered to re-schedule our postponed games in accordance with the National League rules, we must now reiterate our stance.

Without adequate and fair funding towards COVID testing and to offset against the loss of income, we are unable to uphold the integrity of the football pyramid and insist that the season is curtailed no later than Friday, February 5, to allow all clubs to be assessed for grants.”

AFC Telford – Andy Pryce

Alfreton Town – Wayne Bradley

Bradford (Park Avenue) – Martin Knight

Concord Rangers – Antony Smith

Curzon Ashton – Wayne Salkeld

Chippenham Town – Neil Blackmore

Darlington – David Johnston

Dulwich Hamlet – Ben Clasper

Farsley Celtic – Joshua Greaves

Gateshead – Neil Pinkerton

Guiseley – Gary Douglas

Hereford – Rob Crawford

Kettering Town – David Mahoney 

Slough Town – Kay Lathey

Southport – Ian Kyle

Spennymoor Town – Tony Wilson