Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC CIC are pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Whitaker as our new first team head coach.
Danny has an awesome record of success in both his playing and managerial career. He understands player development and has a winning mentality.
He has legendary status at Macclesfield, his last position, and has been in extensive discussions with Tom for a few days about the current position and future opportunities here.
He watched our game on Saturday as a further assessment and starts his new role at training this week.
Danny addresses our wish for a leader who is experienced at, above and below this level. He fully understands our desire to develop young academy players with talent and has good contacts in the game.
Danny will work full time at the club and will be heavily involved in the Academy project.
Please give Danny and the team your full support as they work to take us onwards and upwards.
This Saturday will be Danny’s first game in charge as we face Bamber Bridge. Don’t forget you can welcome him to the club for just £5 entry!
We can confirm that prices have been slashed to just £5 Adults/Concessions for Avenue’s return to the Horsfall this Saturday 23rd, hosting Bamber Bridge, Kick Off 3pm!
PAY ON THE GATE ONLY – CASH/CARD at Cemetery Road Turnstiles, Cash Only at Park Road exit.
Parking is also FREE, please enter through the Cemetery Road entrance, and when exiting use the Park Road entrance.
Bradford (Park Avenue) look forward to welcoming all supporters to the Horsfall Community Stadium and we hope everyone’s experience is an enjoyable one.
Where To Find Us
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC Horsfall Community Stadium Cemetery Road Bradford West Yorkshire BD6 2NG
The Horsfall Community Stadium is not segregated unless otherwise stated.
Refreshments:
The Clubhouse will be open before and after the game which has a fully-licensed bar offering a range of beers, real ales and spirits. The Avenue Café is located next to the Clubhouse and serves a range of hot food and drinks.
Tuck Shop:
The Tuck Shop is located to the left of the main stand, and has Hot/Cold Drinks, snacks, confectionary and more!
Club Shop:
The Club Shop is located next to the turnstiles at the Cemetery Road end of the ground. Matchday programmes and team sheets can also be purchased from the Club Shop.
Toilets:
Toilets can be found next to the Club Shop, next to the Pavilion (changing rooms) opposite the main stand or in the Clubhouse. Please note the only disabled toilets are in the Clubhouse.
Accessibility:
Bradford (Park Avenue) are committed to welcoming everybody to enjoy football at the Horsfall Community Stadium. To support with this we offer the following:
Access to the ground for supporters unable to navigate the usual turnstiles is via the main gate next to the turnstiles at the Cemetery Road end of the ground.
Free entry for carers/assistants.
A designated viewing area for wheelchair users
2 designated parking spaces for blue badge holders
Live audio commentary available at selected games
Ground Regulations:
Entry to the Ground is expressly subject to acceptance by the visitor of the rules and regulations of FIFA, UEFA, The Football Association or The Northern Premier League in respect of the relevant competition. The Ground Regulations incorporate the Club’s Customer Charter and entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of theses Ground Regulations.
For full details of the ground regulations please click here
As a Club participating in The Northern Premier League, we have been directed to take the strongest action available against anyone found in possession of a Flare, Smoke Bomb or any other such pyrotechnic items. Spectators are warned that we apply a zero tolerance approach to anyone attempting to bring such items into the Ground/Stadium.
Due to their chemical make-up, a Flare, Smoke Bomb and all such pyrotechnic items can be highly toxic for some people. This can lead to serious health consequences for those with pre-existing medical conditions and may in certain circumstances cause life threatening injury or concern. Some can explode and could endanger your players or club staff.
In order to protect all who enter and participate in matches, please note we reserve the right to search your person and/or effects and we further reserve the right to pursue legal action, civil or criminal, against any person who contravenes current legislation or our Ground/Stadium regulations.
To further safeguard all who attend any event at this Ground/Stadium, we welcome the receipt of any information which will assist us to deter, apprehend/detain and where appropriate prosecute, anyone in possession of; or found discharging or being a party to the discharge of, such an item.
Sporting Director Thomas McStravick will be on BBC Radio Leeds tonight, talking with West Yorkshire Sport Daily on his new role, and an update regarding the new manager at Bradford (Park Avenue). The show is from 6pm – 7pm, and Tom will be on around 6:50pm.
We can today confirm the signings of Goalkeeper Tom Scott & Midfielder/Defender Ted Lavelle, each on a 28-day loan from FC Halifax Town.
Goalkeeper Tom Scott joins with experience as a youth at Leeds United and Manchester City, coming through the latters’ books as a youngster and progressing from u18 level to u23 level.
He played twice against Football League opposition for Manchester City’s u21s, in a 4-1 win vs Crewe in September 2018 and in a 3-3 draw vs Barnsley in December 2018.
Tom had trials at Birmingham and Watford, but instead made the move to Port Vale in January 2019, before joining Halifax Town in September the same year.
He has enjoyed a loan spell with Nantwich Town since joining. He has made 8 appearances for Halifax’s First Team.
Midfielder Ted Lavelle signed his first professional contract with the Shaymen in September 2023.
Lavelle previously played for Rochdale and Wigan, and has also been out on loan while at Halifax Town, playing for Colne FC.
He made 11 appearances, and scored 6 goals across all competitions while on loan with Colne.
Asked about the signings, Avenue’s Interim Manager & Sporting Director Thomas McStravick said;
“Ted is a left footed player who is versatile and can play in more than one position. He is a ball player who can add a different dynamic to what we already have within the squad. He comes highly recommended and is someone who we have been aware of for some time. His quality will be there for all to see.”
“Tom is a great addition to the team. He is commanding, good with his feet and brings personality to the group which is exactly what we need at this moment. We look forward to working with him during this period. Thanks to Halifax for their professionalism in getting this deal done.”
The board is pleased to confirm two new roles at the club for existing personnel.
Tom McStravick will become our new Sporting Director, leading all the football operations at the club, from Juniors through Academy to the First Team.
He will appoint a new first team coach soon and will retain full first team responsibility until a new appointment is confirmed and contract details are agreed.
Tom will also continue to lead our community relations work and will be fully involved with player recruitment along with the new coach. He is in the process of successfully negotiating and increasing our Academy numbers and income for next year and is discussing immediate player acquisitions to strengthen our playing squad.
Calum Cullen will become our Commercial Director and will be responsible for continuing the improvement of our financial position as a football club and for running the stadium operations.
He will retain his club secretary duties and expand the scope of the role.
We have today accepted Martin Knight’s decision to step down as Director of Football. We thank him for leading player negotiations for the club over his time at BPA and acting at no cost to the club.
His experience, budget control and mentoring has been very helpful to Tom and Calum both of whom were recruited by Martin.
Our prime objective is to improve our current performances and our league position and to use our available funds to recruit wisely.
For those of you who don’t know Tom, he has established successful coaching schools in Northern Ireland, has worked in various development roles at Leeds Utd, has a UEFA A Licence and has set up our successful Junior and Academy plans over the last three years.
He will provide effective, local leadership on all footballing matters and, along with Calum, is keen to ensure greater engagement with fans, families, and sponsors of the club at every level. Both are acutely aware that we need to retain the current league status and to aim for a return to NLN so that loan moves can attract top quality players.
Calum is keen to help Tom build on this with the start of a new Volunteer Group to help around the stadium and is keen to re-engage fans and interested parties.
Between them they will provide local leadership and they will report directly to board members on a weekly basis.
The board has asked Tom and Calum to set up a fans’ forum/meeting with themselves as soon as possible and to create regular feedback meetings to explain new decisions they are planning or have made.
The aim is for them to create local information and contact with fans which is more accessible to all supporters.
Both have e mail addresses and are happy to provide sensible feedback to sensible questions whenever possible. If you feel you can help, please contact them on:
We are delighted to announce that Jack Seery has joined the club as Interim Keeper Coach.
Seery holds a UEFA GK A Licence and UEFA B Licence, and joins Avenue alongside his current job at Leeds United, coaching with their Academy from u9s to u16s level. He also works with Wales’ National team at u15 and u16 level.
Prior to his appointment at Leeds in 2018, Jack worked with Airbus UK Broughton as First Team Goalkeeper Coach in the Welsh Premier League, and also as Head Academy GK Coach over a 5 year spell.
