As the countdown to Saturday’s Play-Off Final against Emley AFC begins, the current squad has received a massive boost from some familiar faces.
Several former Bradford (Park Avenue) players have reached out to share their support for Craig Elliott, the staff, and the lads as they prepare for the biggest game of the season. Their messages highlight the lasting impact this club has on those who wear the shirt.
Chib Chilaka “Wishing the lads all the best in the final. I hope each of them steps onto the pitch excited and proud to represent BPA, a club that I will always hold dearly in my heart. Do it for yourselves and for all the supporters. Best wishes to everyone at the club on this huge weekend.”
James Riley “Good luck to all the BPA lads. Congratulations on a brilliant season. Well done to Craig and staff bringing some much needed stability. All the best in the final and get this club climbing the leagues!”
Will Longbottom “Wishing everyone at BPA the very best of luck in the Playoff Final against Emley AFC. Hope the lads go out there, give it everything, and get the result they deserve. Come on BPA!”
Ben McKenna “All the best to everyone connected with BPA for the final. One more game to go in what has been a positive season for the club. Go and finish the job, come on lads you can do it!”
John Deacey “My message for the players is to relax, play the way you have been playing to put you in this position. Enjoy the game, you will not play many games like this in your career. Play your game not the occasion and don’t have any regrets. But, play with a smile on your face. You’re in the final for a reason and that’s to win. The backroom staff of Craig, Danny and Tully have been there and will prepare you correctly. All the very best and I hope you will be playing at the next level.”
Paddy Kenny “A big well done to the team where it all started for me! I’ll be rooting for you Saturday lads”
Gordon Rayner “I would like to wish Craig and the players all the very best for Saturday and get Bradford (Park Avenue) back where they belong. You can do this… up the Avenue!”
Mark Ross “To all of the BPA boys. I had a very good time at this crazy and incredible club and getting to these kind of games is what it’s all about. Me and most of the guys are five years older and would do anything to play in a final again. You’ve been smashing it so far, so don’t change it, in fact, keep doing it! Get over the line on Saturday, have an incredible day, go and get on that night out and smash the next league! Up the BPA, let’s go!”
Tom Corner “I want to say a massive good luck to everyone at BPA. I’ve seen first hand this season, the huge effort put in to get to this point, from all the staff, players and fans. It was a pleasure to be a small part of that effort and I hope the lads can get over the line on Saturday and keep the club moving back up to where it belongs. All the best lads! Up the Avenue!”
James Knowles “I want to wish the players, coaches and supporters all the best for the play off final on Saturday. The last time BPA won a play off final was an unbelievable day for all involved.
Having captained both teams I’m on the fence for Saturday but let the best team win and show everyone the standard of football at this level.”
Joe Ackroyd “The togetherness was clear to see on Tuesday night in the play off semi-final. Having spent the first half of the season at BPA, I know how good the dressing room is and how much work has been put in behind the scenes. Wishing everyone involved with the club the best of luck in the final!”
Danny Frost “Congratulations to everyone at the Avenue! Good luck in the final, wish you all the best.
Frosty”
TOM GREAVES “I want to wish all the players, staff and supporters of Bradford (Park Avenue) the very best of luck in the Playoff Final. It brings back the best of memories for me as a player scoring ‘that goal’ in the 2012 Playoff Final against FC United of Manchester. A season and a game I will never forget and something hopefully the current BPA players and staff can experience too and give their amazing fans the perfect end to a great season. Good luck everyone 💚🤍”
LUCA HAVERN “To everyone at BPA, good luck in the playoff final. I’ve followed your success from afar this season and it’s great to see the feel-good factor back at the club. From my playoff experience with BPA just go out and enjoy it, give everything and the fans will be right behind you. Hopefully I’ll be back next season, watching you in the league above. Up the Avey! Luca 💚”
LUCAS ODUNSTON “Good luck Saturday, are some ridiculous players in the team, more than enough to get you over the line! Great club and great fans, everyone involved deserves this promotion. Looking forward to a good showing at the game! UTA!”
CHRIS HOWARTH “Wishing everyone at BPA all the best for Saturday. Go out and enjoy the occasion because they don’t come around often. A club like Bradford (Park Avenue) deserve to be back in the higher, the time is yours”
Jamie Walker “Good luck lads. It means more to people than you probably think, and you never know when you might get this opportunity again. Wishing you all the best — it’ll be the first result I look for after my game.”
More messages to follow…
We will be adding more messages to this article as they come through, so keep checking back to see the latest well-wishes from across the Avenue family.
A huge thank you to all our former players who continue to show their support for the club. It means a lot to the players, the staff, and the fans.
Let’s take this energy into Saturday and bring that promotion home!
