3 Aug 2023

ZAK KERSEY SIGNS!

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We can today confirm the signing of Midfielder Zak Kersey on a one-year deal with the club, with option for a 2nd. 

Zak joins the First Team after a year as a scholar with the BPA Academy, and made multiple League appearances for the First Team towards the back end of last season whilst on non-contract terms.

During his time with the Academy, he also spent time out on loan with Frickley Athletic, and earned a Man of the Match award on his debut for the club. 

He also appeared in last season’s West Riding County Cup match vs Brighouse Town, scoring the opening goal with a great strike.

On the signing, Danny Boshell said;

“We’re really pleased Zak has signed. He’s a great kid with a fantastic attitude and a willingness to learn.” 

“He’s still young with a lot to learn but he showed in his brief appearances last season that he has the ability and potential to step up.”

We also caught up with Zak in a video interview which you can watch below.

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2 Aug 2023

WILL LANCASTER JOINS THE SQUAD!

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We can today confirm the signing of highly-rated midfielder Will Lancaster, on a one-year deal with the Club, with option for a 2nd. 

Will Lancaster made over 24 appearances for Avenue last season, scoring once in the FA Trophy against Farsley Celtic. 

The Club would also like to say a huge thank you to the Development Fund for their help in finalising this deal.

He became an integral part of the squad going into the later stages of the season, impressing fans with his strong defensive play and fast attacking techniques, showing improvement every game. 

Will joins after being released from Barnsley at the end of the 2022/23 season, he made his first-team debut for the club on 20th September 2022, coming on as half-time substitute for Nicky Cadden in a 2-0 win vs Newcastle United u21s. (EFL Trophy) 

Lanny also went out on loan to NPL side Whitby Town earlier in the 22/23 season, making 4 appearances. 

Mark Bower had this to say on the signing; 

“We are delighted to get Lanny’s signature ahead of the upcoming season, he is a great player with some really good attributes and ability, we’re excited to work with him after last season.”

You can watch Will’s video interview below!

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1 Aug 2023

MASON O’MALLEY MAKES DEAL WITH AVENUE!

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We can today confirm the signing of left-back Mason O’Malley on a one-year deal, with an option for a 2nd, with the club.

Mason has featured in our pre-season under Trialist K, working well with Sykes-Kenworthy particularly in the Bradford City game. 

Born in Leeds, O’Malley signed for Huddersfield Town’s Academy from Hunslet Boys at u14s level, and was later released by Huddersfield in 2019, joining Scunthorpe United’s u23s squad in July 2019.

Mason made his professional debut with Scunthorpe in a 1-1 (4-2 pens) EFL Trophy game against Lincoln City. He signed a contract extension in December 2020, keeping him at the club until Summer 2023. 

He made 31 appearances in his first season with Scunthorpe United in 2020/21, followed by 28 in 2021/22, and 21 in 2022/23. 

In February 2023, O’Malley signed for Ilkeston Town on a one-month loan deal alongside teammate Jordan Hallam. 

O’Malley is of Irish descent, training with Republic of Ireland u16s in 2016, and made his debut for Republic of Ireland u21s in a friendly vs Wales u21s in March 2021. 

Coach Danny King had this to say on the signing;

“Mason is a great signing for the club. He looks solid in defensive areas but also has real quality in the attacking side of the pitch too.”

“His experience playing at a higher level will definitely help the younger lads we have and we can see him being a strong member of the squad for this season.”

We spoke to Mason on his signing, which you can watch below.

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1 Aug 2023

McGuire To Leave The Club

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We can confirm today that Scholarship Lead Coach Patrick McGuire has left the club.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Pat for his work at the club, both with the Juniors and Scholars which he lead to a 3rd place finish last season.

During his time at the club, Pat has coached players from our U8s to U19s, and also oversaw numerous Academy players make the step up into the first team including 14 for the County Cup match vs Brighouse Town last season, a game Pat managed from the sidelines also. Pat also created links with local non league clubs, which facilitated further opportunities for players to experience first team football.

Pat: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Horsfall, and it has been a privilege to coach in such a fantastic football environment, from the staff to the players and the 1st class facilities. I look forward to seeing the programme go from strength to strength and wish all involved at BPA all the best for the future.’

Pat moves on wish our best wishes and it goes without saying that he is always welcome at the Horsfall.

31 Jul 2023

AVENUE PARTNER WITH THCT WITH EAT HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY PROJECT!

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Avenue partner with THCT to deliver Eat Healthy Stay Healthy project to help deliver positive messages and activities around the importance of eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle. Eat Healthy Stay Healthy is funded by The National League Trust. The project has been working in local primary schools and aims to help improve health and wellbeing among the children taking part. 

Ann Cosgrove from Allerton CE Primary said; 

“I have worked with BPA staff for 3 occasions each time for two full weeks. They are excellent and have a much wider range of skills than simply delivering football. The message really does hit home when professional football coaches are talking about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Our children love it.”

Academy Technical Director and Community Lead Tom McStravick said; 

“We are very mindful of the current cost of living crisis and the impact that this will have, longer term, on our children. As a football club and community focused organisation we are in a great position to be able to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Our school partners have been great and very supportive in our work.”

The Horsfall Community Trust and Bradford (Park Avenue) are planning to extend this project into September 2023 and look forward to an exciting journey ahead. 

28 Jul 2023

JOHNSON JOYOUS WITH NEW PLAYER-COACH ROLE!

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We can today confirm the signing of forward Oli Johnson in a player-coach role!

OJ joins as a Strength and Conditioning coach, whilst still offering his services as a player where needed.

We can also confirm alongside this signing, that the club is now moving to a hybrid system of both Full and Part-time players/coaches in the squad. A further video interview with Danny Boshell can be watched below.

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Oli Johnson originally joined on loan from Guiseley in November of 2016, later signing in 2017, Johnson has been a popular figure under Mark Bower, playing a key role over the last few years.

Just last season, he showed that on his day he can be a star player, scoring the winner against Curzon Ashton, and inspiring our first away win of the season in a 3-2 victory against Buxton, where he scored the equaliser in 90+2 after just 4 minutes on the pitch.

On the signing, First Team Manager Mark Bower said;

“We’re delighted that OJ has taken on this new role.”

“It further adds to our strong management team, and his experience has a huge influence on the younger players and offers lots of versatility across our forward positions and in training.”

“It also confirms our switch to a hybrid system, which will really benefit us in the upcoming season.”

You can watch Oli’s video interview below.

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27 Jul 2023

FROM THE ARCHIVES – BLACKPOOL FC, 28TH JULY 7:30PM KO

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This Friday we face a Blackpool FC XI at the Horsfall Community Stadium! Kick Off is set for 7:30pm, and Avenue historian Tim Clapham has some history for you!

Avenue were the only Football League club to set a ground attendance record during wartime.

The visit of Blackpool to Park Avenue on 8 April 1944 caught the public’s attention, and with the prospect of seeing Stanley Matthews in action the wartime cup-tie drew a crowd of 32,810.

The cup-tie was played over two legs, and after the teams played out a 2-2 at Bloomfield Road an exciting second leg was ensured at Park Avenue.

Avenue officials were overwhelmed by the demand for tickets and it was necessary to cut down the number where individuals had applied for four or more.

As for the match, Blackpool took an early lead with a Bob Finan header, but George Ainsley equalised before half-time.

In a nerve-wracking second half Blackpool grabbed the only goal when Avenue’s Jimmy Stephen turned a lofted cross from Matthews into his own net.