9 Nov 2023

Job Description: Head Coach

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Be part of the challenge, help define the project and be the solution

Bradford (Park Avenue) football club, who are currently playing in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division are looking for a new Head Coach.

We are looking for an individual who can show that they can impact our primary objective, which is the greater success of the First Team and our ambition to get back into the National Leagues. An exciting and entertaining brand of football would be a preference and as a community focussed club you should show a strong desire to get involved in every aspect of the footballing side of the club. Excellent communication skills with supporters, players, coaches and directors is important.

The club is developing a pathway from junior level football, through Academy teams to the First Team and has already had successes with this programme and the successful coach will be actively involved in promoting and supporting this process. We are looking for applicants that have a record of working with, and developing young players whom form a large part of the first team squad and understanding of all the challenges and rewards that come along with that dynamic.

Either good local contacts and awareness of regional players and teams, or a demonstratable experience of building a thorough scouting network from scratch will be a requirement of any successful candidate.  

We are looking for a coach with a clear football philosophy which you strongly believe in and someone who can show an ability to influence a squad and create success with this philosophy and within the resources made available to you. You will be working within a frame work where contract and budgetary control are managed by others once agreed targets are identified.

The current desire is for a fulltime head coach, but would consider part-time if there is an outstanding candidate whom can show the ability to achieve all of the above in this capacity.  

Applications by email to Martin Knight DoF by close of business Wednesday the 15th of November  

Email: martin.knight@bpafc.com

7 Nov 2023

R.I.P Sidney (Sid) Blackhall (1945-2023).

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Sid came to Park Avenue as a sixteen-year-old in 1961 after being recommended to Bradford player-manager Jimmy Scoular by the father of Avenue goalkeeper Ronnie Routledge. 

The Ashington-born centre forward was taken onto the ground staff at Park Avenue after signing as an apprentice, and the following year he signed professional forms shortly after his 17th birthday. 

His first team chances were limited and his only Football League appearance came in September 1963, at Newport County, when he deputised for the injured Jim Fryatt. 

During 1963 he made another four appearances with the seniors in minor competitions. In May 1965, Sid was one of five players given a free transfer. 

That summer he joined his home town club Ashington and appeared for them in North Regional League football. 

Sid subsequently settled in Bradford with his wife and three children to whom we send our condolences.

7 Nov 2023

MARTIN KNIGHT ON BBC RADIO LEEDS, THURSDAY 6:30PM

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Director of Football Martin Knight will be appearing on BBC Radio Leeds this Thursday, talking on recruitment.

You can tune in to the West Yorkshire Sport Daily online, on BBC Radio Leeds’ website https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gm7j39, or stay tuned to our socials on Thursday for a link before the show goes live.

6 Nov 2023

Mark and Danny depart the Avenue

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After long discussions over the last two days and much soul searching by all, we have mutually agreed with Mark and Danny that they will step down from their managerial roles at Bradford (Park Avenue) with immediate effect.

All who have had any involvement with both of these local legends will know what a couple of genuine, dedicated and good people they both are. Over the last 3 seasons they have worked tirelessly  within the frame work of the clubs playing budget and ethos of developing young talent to keep us in the National League North. Sadly circumstances last season meant they couldn’t ever really put out their strongest side enough times to avoid relegation. Despite that disappointment they agreed to take on the challenge to try to bounce straight back up, unfortunately results so far this season haven’t been what anyone involved with the club would’ve wished for, and so during the discussions about how to improve results it was agreed to make a change management of the first team.

In the interim, Luca Havern has agreed to step into the head coach role and will be assisted by Ollie Johnson as we work with all of the stake holders, to define what the new person will do, what any structure will look like to match the clubs short, medium and long term goals. Let’s give Luca and OJ all the support we can.

Martin Knight – ‘I hope that everyone associated with the club, wishes them both the very best in the future, it has been my absolute pleasure to learn from, and work with them both.  I am sure they will soon be back in the dugout, a place they both truly love to be.’

2 Nov 2023

AVENUE SIGN CONNOR SHANKS ON LOAN FROM SPENNYMOOR TOWN!

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We can today confirm the loan signing of midfielder Connor Shanks on loan from National League North side Spennymoor Town.

Shanks began his career with Huddersfield Town, playing as a youth, before moving to Bradford City in 2017.

He was named in the League Football Education’s “The 11” List in June 2020.

Connor turned professional in July 2020, signing a one-year contract with Bradford City. 

He made his senior debut for City in the EFL Trophy, on 8th September 2020, in a 0-0 draw (4-1 loss pens) against Doncaster in the group stages.

He left Bradford City in June 2021 at the end of his contract, returning to Huddersfield Town in August 2021.

Shanks impressed the Nuneaton Borough management when he scored a goal and grabbed an assist in Huddersfield’s u21s Cup game vs Birmingham City, earning himself a loan move in September 2021. (Watch the goal here!)

He won the September 2021 Player of the Month award for his goals for Nuneaton in both the Birmingham Senior Cup and Southern League Central Premier Division, winning 49% of the vote.

On 19th January 2023, Shanks’ contract at Huddersfield was terminated, and he joined Spennymoor Town two days later. 

He made 20 appearances for the Moors in the 22/23 season, scoring on his debut against Darlington (Watch here) and a last-gasp equaliser against Scarborough Athletic (Watch here) which earned him an extended stay in the Summer of 2023. He followed that up this season, making 6 appearances as of 2nd November. 

Shanks is available for selection in Saturday’s match vs Basford United, stay tuned to our Twitter @BPAFCOfficial for the latest updates! 

The deal is subject to the relevant clearances.

2 Nov 2023

BPA | AN-X – NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE!

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are proud to announce that our EV2 Home and Away shirts are now available in store at AN-X.

AN-X is based in Bradford City Centre, and is an independent boutique synonymous with casual and urban-wear clothing and shoes.

On the new partnership, Club Secretary Calum Cullen said;

“I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce our deal with AN-X

“AN-X, is a hugely popular store, and to have our product for sale in there is unbelievable.

“We have been wanting to increase our exposure in the city centre, and this deal allows us to do that, whilst also giving our loyal supporters a second outlet to get their shirts from.

Given the high standards and quality of clothing in AN-X, it’s also a testament to the quality that EV2 are producing for us.’

To celebrate this new deal, we have also provided AN-X with some of our Multi Match cards, which guarantee entry into the Horsfall for just £8 at our Northern Premier League games.