With the confirmation of Alex Hurst’s transfer to EFL League Two club Port Vale released over the weekend, Bradford (Park Avenue) can now confirm further details on the deal.

The two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the highly rated teenager with a condition that the 19-year-old will stay at Horsfall Stadium until at least the start the of the January transfer window, meaning he will remain a key member Garry Thompson’s squad for the 2019/20 season.

The signing confirms Park Avenue’s ability to recruit and develop young talent with their extensive scouting network both in the UK and USA as club owner Gareth Roberts explains, “Alex has shown that there is a development pathway here at Park Avenue. “This move is a case study of the model that we are developing at the club. “The key to this deal was getting Alex back at Horsfall. We are thankful to Port Vale for the flexibility they have shown. “Alex is hopefully just the start as we aim to continue to find untapped talent.”

Port Vale’s first team coach Danny Pugh was at Park Avenue’s game with Huddersfield Town last Tuesday night with the midfielder having already trained with the Valiants during pre-season. He also featured in the friendlies at Leek Town and Nottingham Forest reserves.

Park Avenue manager Garry Thompson, who played nearly all his career in League football acknowledged its a big opportunity for Hurst saying, “Alex has done fantastically well and as a club we’re delighted for him to have got the move to play professionally but also that he can come back and play for us. He’s worked hard and deserves everything he’s got. Whilst we naturally want to keep our best players, the transfer shows that we are committed to developing talent but also won’t stand in anyone’s way to progress.”

Picture credit Tom Pearson 

Having played nearly 500 career games, scoring over 100 goals across a 20 year career, its fair to say Garry Thompson knows a thing or two about how best to enjoy a long and successful career as a footballer. 

Now, as he embarks on a new chapter in his life as manager of Bradford (Park Avenue) we caught up with him ahead of his first ever competitive game. With kick off against Curzon Ashton only hours away, he acknowledges the last few weeks have been an enjoyable whirlwind:

“To say I am excited is an understatement! We’ve all been so busy preparing for the game that there has really been no time for me to get nervous or for the reality to sink in that this will be my first official game in charge. 

“The lads laughed in our last training session on Thursday as I must have said how exciting the game was about 50 times but at the same time make no mistakes, we are fully prepared and ready for the occasion.”

Every since Garry and his assistant Shaun Gardner were announced as the new management duo at Horsfall, their feet haven’t touched the ground. So how pleased has he been with pre-season?

“I’m very delighted with how the last few months have gone and I’m very happy with the signings Shaun and myself have managed to recruit. 

“We have focussed on attracting the right characters that mirror our own personalities. Hard work, determination and character are the attributes that Bradford Park Avenue fans can expect from our team this season. 

Having played as a professional himself for so long, Garry admits the club’s focus on finding and developing talent is something that appealed to him upon joining the club

“If I can use my experience to help guide and develop players then that would give me a huge sense of achievement. Fans will have to accept that if it’s our model, we can’t stand in the way of players that we bring in and then hopefully sell them on to clubs in higher leagues. 

“Pre-season has been a challenge that we have thoroughly enjoyed. From arriving at the club with only two contracted players to having to learn a whole new side of the industry such as dealing with agents and players has been interesting. But we have only had support and good advice from the owners and staff here. 

“They have guided us and enabled us to gain experience in dealing with new aspects of the game so we’d like to thank them for that.  

“It’s been my first pre-season as both a manager and player so not only have I had to organise the sessions for the players I’ve also had to join in with the running and still managed to beat most of the lads!

“But I’m only 100% positive in everything I do. Let’s hope everyone can get behind the cause and see how far we can go as group and as a football club.”

Having appeared in some of the recent friendlies as a player, the big question remains as to whether Garry himself will feature in today’s game or not but he is quite rightly keeping his cards close to his chest.

“When I took the job my first commitment was to make sure I only did what was right for the team. If this means playing a part on the field I will do so but it’s not about me or whether I play, it’s about winning football matches. We have built an exciting squad that’s full of energy and exuberance. If we play to our potential we’ll have a very competitive side. I didn’t think management would come so soon as it has in my career but I’m loving every minute of it.”

It’s also a big day for Garry’s number two, his long term friend and assistant manager Shaun Gardner, who will also play a key role as Garry explains, 

“It’s very rare you can say that you work with your best friend but I can say this with all sincerity. We get on so well together. 

“I fully value Shaun’s opinion as do the boys. He deserves full credit himself for the way he has trained and really embraced the role. I can’t think of a better player or person to have in the team. We’re all really looking forward to getting started and whatever happens it won’t be due to a lack of effort!”

If you want to wish Garry good luck on his first game in charge of Park Avenue, you can follow him on Twitter @g11klt or send a good luck message to him via info@bpafc.com or tweet @bpafcofficial 

Photo Credits: Tom Pearson.

As it’s our last friendly before the season starts, the club has decided to lower the price of entry as follows:-

£5 adults 

£3 concessions 

£1 under 17s

We would like to thank our loyal fans for their support this summer & welcome as many Huddersfield Town fans to come along.

Bradford (Park Avenue) have today welcomed the signing of Matty Clarke.

An athletic left midfielder, Clarke spent last season at Penrith FC attracting interest from League 2 clubs and is a highly rated young prospect.

Manager Garry Thompson was pleased to secure Clarkes signature saying:

“Shaun (Gardner, assistant manager) and I have known of Matty for a while now, he is highly regarded up in his local area and has demonstrated he is ready for the next level. He has a very professional attitude and has shown a great attitude to commit to Bradford (Park Avenue) where he will work hard to prove himself at the level”

Matty Clarke spoke to BPAFC.COM about the move :

“I’m really excited to be joining Bradford (Park Avenue). I had a few offers to go into League 2 but speaking with Garry and Shaun and the Bradford Directors about what they are about and what they are doing made the decision easy for me”

Clarke Continued :

“I know Shaun from Penrith and I know he and Gary want a successful and hard working squad and a positive place to play football, so that suits me and the way I try and approach my football. I want to prove myself and can’t wait to meet everyone at the club and start the pre-season”

Bradford (Park Avenue) have today announced the signing of Ben Hedley from Morecambe as the first signing of Garry Thompson’s tenure as manager.

Hedley joins The Avenue from League 2 Morecambe where he was named Reserve Team Player of the year last season .

A physical midfielder, 20 year old Hedley impressed Thompson during their time together at The Globe Arena.

Thompson said :

“Ben was excellent last season at League 2 standard but lacked opportunities. When he was provided the chance to show his ability he excelled. Ben’s character and attitude fit exactly what we are looking for and for him to show his commitment to the club to drop back and prove himself, is exactly the ethic and focus we admire and respect.

Thompson continued :

“I said when I started a few weeks ago that supporters of Bradford (Park Avenue) who support the club with a season ticket purchase and their time and commitment week in week out, should expect us to build a team that reflects their level of commitment. Ben will work hard and leave nothing on the pitch for the supporters who come to Horsfall to watch us and he has quality and youth on his side which makes him a really pleasing first signing for us”

Ben Hedley explained what attracted him to Bradford (Park Avenue) over rival options:

“I am really excited about joining Bradford (Park Avenue) and can’t wait to start working with Gary who I know well from my time at Morecambe and know how professional he is.”

Hedley continued :

“I had a few options higher up but after discussing the clubs plans with Gary and Shaun I am really interested in what they’re building here and I’m really excited about the upcoming season and can’t wait to get going. It is a great opportunity and I plan to help the club challenge for promotion this season”

Bradford (Park Avenue) continue to offer one of the leagues most affordable football packages with their #Properbradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages.

Season tickets can be purchased here:

Bradford (Park Avenue) can today confirm the pre-season schedule for Garry Thompson and his squad for the month of July

An exciting mix of local non-league opponents and EFL clubs has been put together to provide Bradford (Park Avenue) with a robust pre-season in preparation for Thompsons first season at the helm.

Opening with an away visit to Hemsworth Miners on July 6^th, Horsfall Stadium will then host League 2 Mansfield Town on July 11^th.

The Avenue will then travel to nearby Brighouse Town for what will be an enjoyable fixture for local supporters of both clubs on July 13^th as Thompson intends to use the pre season to finalise his squad ready for the August 3^rd season opener.

A visit to Horsfall by Rotherham United on Wednesday 17^th July will be highly anticipated, followed by Sheffield Wednesday’s under 23s on Saturday 20^th July.

The annual battle for the “Tom Banks Memorial Trophy” against neighbours Bradford City will take place on Tuesday 23^rd July with a bumper crowd expected as both managers look to put the final touches on their squads late in the pre-season.

Finally Bradford (Park Avenue) will complete their pre-season preparation against a Huddersfield XI on Tuesday July 30^th.

Garry Thompson spoke about the pre-season schedule :-

“It’s a great schedule and one I hope the fans enjoy as much as we will. It’s important to get game time for our squad and any lads on trial early in the pre-season and we need time to have a good look at a number of players.”

Thompson Continued :-

“I spoke earlier in the week about the great relationships the club has with some fantastic development clubs, and to have Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield town bring their best young talent over to Horsfall is extremely beneficial for us. They are big clubs and a pleasure to work with.”

CEO Damian Irvine added :

“A meaningful and strong pre-season was one of the areas that supporters have suggested the club could be doing better. With a new manager in place and many fresh faces, this pre-season schedule will allow supporters to see plenty of football before the season starts and build into a very exciting period for the club “

Irvine Added :

“Our relationships with local non-league clubs and larger EFL clubs are both very important to us and we’re delighted to deliver a pre-season program that contains a great blend of levels whilst giving Garry and Shaun (Gardner) ample time to get to know and build their squad”

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to welcome Garry Thompson to his first managerial position as he arrives at Horsfall Stadium to take the reigns as Player Manager ahead of the 2019/2020 season.

Thompson is no stranger to the city of Bradford and is remembered fondly for his committed heroics across town at Bradford City during the 2012 League Cup run, scoring against Arsenal before featuring in The Bantams successful promotion push later that season.

Successful spells at Morecombe, Scunthorpe Utd, Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers saw Thompson earn over 650 appearances at league level, finishing with his home club of Morecombe last December.

The experienced attacker will bring experience, excitement and quality alongside exciting prospects Lewis Knight and Alex Hurst who, along with last season’s Player of the Year Conor Branson, will form the core of Thompsons new squad.

Thompson’s appointment comes after Bradford (Park Avenue) announced a new major partnership with the University of Bradford last week in an exciting period of new impetus for the historic club.

Of his new role , Garry Thompson said :-

“I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to get started. I’ve been working on coaching and looking towards my career after I finish playing. This is such a great opportunity at a fantastic club. I was attracted to the values and positivity of the Directors and we agree on what a strong club requires in terms of attitude and culture.”

Thompson Continued :-

“It’s fantastic to come back to Bradford, a city I’ve such great memories of. Bradford (Park Avenue) have been doing some really hard work and the contacts and support they have made available to us is impressive. I’ll be using every resource they’ve made available to me to achieve the best for the club.”

Damian Irvine, CEO of Bradford (Park Avenue) said: ]

“It’s been an extremely busy 2019 for the club as we’ve focused on taking a fresh perspective and approach to every facet of our operation and structure. We have plenty of experience in seeing what successful and sustainable clubs look and feel like and it’s genuinely exciting to deliver positive change and a culture of progress to Horsfall Stadium.”

Irvine Continued :-

“The club has made its presence felt on the pitch over the past few years and that’s a credit to everyone involved, but if we keep doing what we have always done hoping for a vast improvement in performance on, or off the pitch, we wouldn’t be doing the right thing by our supporters and our owners.”

Striker Shaun Gardner joins Thompson at Horsfall as Playing Assistant Manager.

Gardner has earned over 300 starts at clubs such as AFC Liverpool, Kendal Town, and most recently Penrith AFC

Attackers Thompson and Gardner join The Avenue, who retain highly regarded Conor Branson, Lewis Knight and Alex Hurst on contract for the 2019/2020, with Thompson announcing further additions in coming weeks.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be releasing their pre-season schedule later this week along with further major sponsorship news.

On the back of a week landmark announcements, the clubs push for a record number of season tickets continues with their #Properbradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages.