After an incredible journey across The Dales Way, we’re proud to share the full video diary of Gary, Tina, and Kobie’s walk in memory of John Ratnik.
Through rain, wind, and tough climbs, they showed amazing strength and spirit — and thanks to your support, they’ve raised over £3,900 for Marie Curie Cancer Research, the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation, and the Bradford Schools Football Association.
Let’s help them hit their final goal of £5,000! Every donation counts. 🙌
Today, Saturday, 26th April 2025, we’re taking on Ashington AFC at Horsfall Community Stadium! It’s our final match of the season, and we’re looking to finish strong as we build towards next season’s promotion!
Already purchased your Early Bird Season Ticket for 2025/26? You can pick it up at the gate! Haven’t grabbed yours yet? We’ll be open from 1 PM today for new purchases.
Let’s pack the stadium and finish the season on a high, Green Army! We can’t wait to see you there! 💚
Season tickets for the 2025/26 season are available to purchase or collect in person this week at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
We are open from 1pm until 8:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, and you can pay by cash or card. Head up the yellow stairs to the Horsfall offices once you’re here. Once purchased, your ticket will be printed there and then for immediate collection. You can also purchase online and collect same day from the stadium.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our Club Operations Manager at Thomas.Ogden@bpafc.com.
Thank you for your support – we look forward to seeing you at Horsfall.
We set off from Buckden at 10am on a wet and misty morning, passing through Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite, and Beckermonds before the climb began. As the wind and rain battered us on the way to Oughtershaw, we pushed through miles of wild open countryside with no shelter in sight.
Then, like a sign from above, a farmhouse at Nethergill offered refuge — warm drinks, a toilet stop, and a place to reset. It gave us just enough fuel to tackle the toughest part of our walk so far.
Kobie found his second wind, powering us up past 550m, the highest point yet!
But nature wasn’t done — as Pen-y-Ghent loomed in the distance and we eyed up Ribblehead Viaduct, the icy wind and rain returned for the final two-hour push. Soaked through to the bone, we arrived at The Station Inn at 4:45pm — tired, drenched, but still smiling.
We raised £625 today, bringing our total to £3,250 (Now at £3,315!) for 👉 Marie Curie 👉 Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation 👉 Bradford Schools FA
Bradford (Park Avenue) were honoured to be invited to speak at Rotary Bradford West this afternoon, as part of the build-up to Saturday’s Jeff Hall Polio Awareness Match at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
Emma Miller, Friend of BPA
Thomas McStravick, Sporting & Executive Director
Mathew Everett, Community Director
Representing the club were Sporting & Executive Director Thomas McStravick, Community Director Mathew Everett, and Emma Miller – the great-niece of Jeff Hall and a great friend of the club. Emma gave a heartfelt tribute to Jeff, whose untimely passing from polio at the age of 29 had a profound impact on public health in the UK, spurring a nationwide push for vaccination.
Jeff Hall began his playing career with Avenue Reserves, before going on to represent Birmingham City and the England national team, earning 17 international caps. His legacy continues to inspire, and Saturday’s match is dedicated to honouring that legacy.
The day is being held in partnership with the British Polio Fellowship, and proceeds from the bucket collections will support the charity’s vital work with those affected by polio across the UK.
The session with Rotary Bradford West also allowed us to share updates from across the club, including the work of the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation, our expanding Football Education Programme, and the introduction of a brand-new HNC/HND Sports Course, giving young people more pathways into sport and higher education.
🎟️ Tickets for the match are available here: 👉 https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=8659 🔗 Learn more about Rotary Bradford West: 👉 https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=184
We’re proud to work alongside our local community and thank Rotary Bradford West for their warm welcome and support in championing such an important cause.
This Saturday, Bradford (Park Avenue) returns home to Horsfall Community Stadium for a special occasion as we take on Grimsby Borough in what promises to be an emotional and meaningful afternoon.
The match will be dedicated to Jeff Hall Polio Awareness Day, in memory of a true footballing great who began his career at Bradford (Park Avenue) before going on to play for Birmingham City and England.
66 years ago this month, Jeff tragically passed away at just 29 from polio. His death shocked the nation and led to a massive increase in public awareness and vaccine uptake, saving countless lives. Jeff’s story is not just part of football history — it’s a vital chapter in public health history too.
We are proud to be partnering with the British Polio Fellowship to raise awareness of polio and Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) — a condition still affecting thousands of people in the UK today.
💚 There will be a minute of reflection ahead of kick-off and opportunities to learn more about the lasting effects of polio, along with ways you can support the ongoing work of the British Polio Fellowship.
🎟 Tickets are available online at discounted rates:
Adults – £10
Concessions – £8
Students, Blue Light, Armed Forces – £5
Youth (12–17) – £3
Juniors (U12) – £1
Please note: discounted prices are available online only. Standard prices apply at the gate. 👉 Book your tickets here
We encourage all supporters to come down, wear green, and help us honour the legacy of Jeff Hall — a footballer, a pioneer, and a hero to many.
Get ready for an unforgettable football festival at Horsfall Community Stadium! Avey-Fest 2025 promises competitive matches, great food, a family-friendly atmosphere, and lots of memories. Join the #GreenArmy this summer! 💚⚽
📅 Tournament Dates & Formats:
👉 Saturday 31st May
AM:
U13 6v6 (1 space left)
U14 6v6 (4 spaces left)
PM:
U11 Girls 7v7 (4 spaces left)
U12 Girls 7v7 (2 spaces left)
U13 Girls 6v6 (2 spaces left)
U14 Girls 6v6 (4 spaces left)
👉 Sunday 1st June
AM:
U15 9v9 (6 spaces left)
PM (Academy Only):
U8 Academy 5v5 (1 space left)
U9 Academy 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
U10 Academy 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
U11 Academy 7v7 (1 space left)
👉 Saturday 7th June
AM:
U7 5v5 (FULL – Waiting List)
U8 5v5 (FULL – Waiting List)
PM:
U9 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
U10 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
👉 Sunday 8th June
AM:
U11 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
U12 6v6 (1 space left)
PM:
U10 Girls 7v7 (1 space left)
EXTRA U8 Mixed 5v5 (6 spaces left)
EXTRA U9 Mixed 7v7 (FULL – Waiting List)
EXTRA U10 Mixed 7v7 (3 spaces left)
💰 Entry Fee: £40 per team
🎉 Festival Highlights:
✅ Competitive football across all age groups ✅ Family-friendly, festival atmosphere ✅ Trophies for winners & medals for runners-up 🏆🥇 ✅ Delicious food, drinks & ice cream stalls 🍔🥤🍦 ✅ On-site toilet facilities 🚻 ✅ Licensed Clubhouse bar 🍻
⚡ Hurry – spaces are extremely limited! Join us for a fantastic weekend of football at Horsfall – let’s make Avey-Fest 2025 the biggest and best yet! 💚⚽
Season Tickets Now on Sale at Horsfall – Cash or Card Accepted
Season tickets for the 2025/26 campaign are now available to purchase in person at the Horsfall Community Stadium, with both cash and card payment options accepted.
We are open for in-person sales and collections:
Wednesday 16th April: until 9:00pm
Thursday 17th April: 1:00pm – 9:00pm
You can also purchase your season ticket at this Saturday’s home fixture against Grimsby Borough, either in the Tuck Shop or Clubhouse bar. Tickets bought on matchday will be available to collect after the final whistle or at a later date if preferred.
Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to the Yorkshire Payments Stadium this Saturday to take on relegation-threatened Brighouse Town in a 3pm kick-off, with both sides desperate for points—but for very different reasons.
With just four games remaining in the Northern Premier League East Division, Avenue currently sit 10th. While a late push could take them as high as 8th, there’s little left to play for in terms of league position. However, for the players, these final fixtures are far from meaningless. Manager Craig Elliott is already looking ahead to a serious promotion push in the 2025/26 season, and these games present a final opportunity for individuals to stake their claim for a place in next year’s squad.
For Brighouse Town, the situation is much more urgent. They are 18th in the table, just one point clear of the drop zone, with Ossett United hot on their heels. The bottom half of the table is incredibly tight—only six points separate 19th and 11th—meaning every result could make or break a season. Brighouse will be fighting for their lives, and Avenue can expect a spirited performance.
Avenue come into the fixture following a 1-1 draw against Sherwood Colliery. Jordan Preston scored in the 30th minute—his second in three games—but the hosts were pegged back by a penalty converted by Carter Widdowson. Despite the result, Avenue showed encouraging signs and will be keen to build on their performance, turning chances into goals as the season winds down.
Brighouse, meanwhile, have taken four points from their last three outings, including a damaging 4-1 defeat to Sherwood Colliery. In-form forwards Danny Edwards and Rhys Plater have each scored twice in that time and will be ones to watch this weekend.
When the two sides met at the Horsfall back in August, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Niah Payne opened the scoring for Brighouse in the 31st minute, before Dan Francis equalised just before the hour mark. A lot has changed since that encounter, but with Brighouse battling to stay in the division and Avenue players pushing to secure their futures, this weekend’s match promises to be a competitive affair.
Admission at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium is as follows: Adults £10, Concessions £7, 12–16yrs £2, Under-12s Free.
Make the trip and support the lads. Your backing means everything.
The Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation proudly hosted a powerful and uplifting Interfaith Celebration at the Horsfall Community Stadium today, bringing together people of all faiths, backgrounds, and communities to mark both Eid and Easter through a shared message of unity, education, and belonging.
Football Education Programme Students enjoying the food from Shahida’s Cafe
At the heart of the event was Bradford (Park Avenue)’s expanding Football Education Programme, which empowers young people through sport and study, providing them with the tools to grow, connect, and succeed. This celebration, themed “Exploring the Richness of Different Faiths,” highlighted how football can be a bridge between cultures and a platform for lasting community cohesion.
The event opened with a welcome from Mat Everett, Community Director of the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation, who set the tone for an afternoon built on togetherness and open dialogue. He was followed by reflections from Emma Miller, a long-standing friend of the club, and Anne Seneviratne, the club’s Education Consultant, both of whom spoke passionately about the progress and potential of BPA’s students.
Guest speakers offered a wide range of perspectives. Emon Choudhury, Pride of Britain winner and BBC’s Race Across the World 2020 champion, delivered an inspirational keynote speech focused on the importance of unity and ambition. Vicar Foluso Enwerem, of St Aidan’s Buttershaw and St Michael’s Shelf Churches, offered a moving spiritual reflection on togetherness and faith.
The programme also featured powerful words from Dr Ikram Butt, former England Rugby League international, Salem Kader, Managing Director of Bombay Stores Group and Co-Founder of Positive Bradford, Clive Michallat of Action for Sport, and Humayun Islam of Muslim Friendly Employers—each contributing to a shared narrative of hope, opportunity, and mutual respect.
The event closed with an address from Deputy Lord-Lieutenant Paul Lawrence, representing His Majesty the King, who commended the Foundation’s efforts to use football as a force for good across Bradford.
The Foundation extends a special thank you to Emon Choudhury, whose generous sponsorship of the event and the food helped make the day possible. Guests also enjoyed a fantastic spread provided in partnership with Shahida’s Café, which added to the warm and inclusive atmosphere.
Following the event, guests shared their reflections:
Thomas McStravick, Sporting Director at Bradford (Park Avenue), said: “Absolutely brilliant. Great to see so many people here from different backgrounds and faiths. While we might have different beliefs in terms of our faith, we can all come together as humans—and that we’re on the same page.”
Pete Kenyon, Commercial Director, added: “It was nice to bring different cultures together. We had some good speakers and hopefully our students took it all on board.”
Vicar Foluso said: “It’s been a really joyful and inspiring event. Great to see loads of people here from different backgrounds and heritages, all brought together by football. It’s been really encouraging.”
Emon Choudhury commented: “It was amazing—such a groundbreaking event to be a part of. Great to get so many cultures and religions together in one space. Having that community cohesion is instrumental.”
Humayun Islam added: “It was a great event—it was all about unity. Huge thank you to Mat at BPA for putting this on and bringing all these people together.”
Guests also enjoyed a fantastic spread provided by Shahida’s Café, which added to the warm and inclusive atmosphere on the day.
The event stands as a powerful reminder that the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation, and the club as a whole, is committed to being far more than just a football team—championing diversity, education, and opportunity for all.
Want to get involved? 📧 Community & Events: Mathew.Everett@bpafc.com 📧 Football Education Programme: John.Sanderson@bpafc.com 📝 Sign up for trials on 1st May here: https://forms.gle/JQDRYCDbHVEHcaS79
