Bradford (Park Avenue) is thrilled to announce that right-back Kareem Hassan-Smith and left-back Dan Francis have committed to the club, signing contracts that will keep them at Horsfall Community Stadium until the end of the season.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to the BPA Development Fund for their help in getting these contracts over the line.

Both players have showcased their quality and professionalism since joining the club, and their performances on the pitch have been pivotal in strengthening the squad’s defensive solidity and attacking capabilities from the flanks.

Kareem Hassan-Smith

Kareem, a dynamic and versatile right-back, has made an immediate impact with his robust defensive skills and ability to contribute to the attack. With his pace and tenacity, he has proven to be a reliable presence down the right-hand side, consistently delivering solid performances against tough opposition. Kareem has already made 18 appearances for the First Team, scoring once.

Dan Francis

On the opposite flank, Dan Francis has been a revelation for Avenue since joining this season. Known for his attacking flair and defensive composure, Dan has also brought a wealth of experience from his time playing in Germany and representing Sierra Leone at the international level. Dan has already made appearances in all 19 of our fixtures, scoring 5 times.

With both full-backs now secured, Bradford (Park Avenue) is reinforcing its intentions to compete at the highest level in the Northern Premier League East Division. Fans can look forward to seeing Kareem and Dan in action as they continue to play a crucial role in Avenue’s quest for promotion.

Northern Premier League – East Division
Venue: The Ashcourt Group Stadium
Attendance: 220
Referee: Alex Clark

Bradford (Park Avenue)’s remarkable nine-game unbeaten streak in the Northern Premier League East Division came to a halt on Saturday, as they fell 3-1 away to Newton Aycliffe. Despite a spirited fightback to equalize in the first half, Avenue couldn’t find a way back after conceding twice more in quick succession.

Newton Aycliffe opened the match with intensity, and Jack Hall was called into action within the first 15 minutes, producing an excellent save to keep the game level. Avenue responded through Ted Lavelle, whose first-time shot from the edge of the area was denied by the Aycliffe goalkeeper.

The hosts broke the deadlock soon after, catching Avenue on the counter as Liam Jarvie slipped through the defense and squeezed a shot past Hall. However, Avenue responded immediately through a moment of brilliance from Connor Shanks. Picking up the ball just outside the box, Shanks expertly cut inside his marker and unleashed a powerful strike, drawing the visitors level.

But Newton Aycliffe quickly regained the lead when Liam Adamson’s shot took a wicked deflection, leaving Hall with no chance. Minutes later, Wayne Whitfield extended Aycliffe’s advantage with a superbly struck free kick that curled into the top corner, putting Avenue two goals down before half-time.

In the second half, Avenue pushed hard to find a way back into the game, with manager Craig Elliott making a triple substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Myles La Bastide, Connor Dimaio, and Alex Francis in a bid to spark a comeback. Despite their efforts, Avenue struggled to break through Aycliffe’s resolute defense, and their best chance came when they hit the post late on.

Paddy Sykes, normally a reliable attacking presence, was replaced by Jimiel Chikukwa after a subdued performance, and Elliott threw on Jack Normanton for defender Josh Ashman as a last-ditch attempt to claw back into the game. Unfortunately, Avenue couldn’t turn their pressure into goals, and the match ended in a frustrating 3-1 loss.

Manager Craig Elliott’s Post-Match Thoughts

Following the game, Elliott expressed his disappointment:
“I’m disappointed with how we played and how we gifted them goals. They’re a good team, and fair play to them – the best team won. But we can’t gift goals like that, especially when we got it back to 1-1 so quickly. Young Jack made an error, and that can happen. I was really disappointed with how it went after that.”

The referee’s decision to award a free kick that led to Aycliffe’s third goal left Elliott frustrated:
“You just feel like it’s not your day when things like that happen. In the second half, the lads did well; they gave it a go, hit the post, and had a couple of chances. Maybe we could’ve pushed harder toward the end.”

Elliott also highlighted the absence of key players and the need for a tactical reset:
“We missed Beevs [Mark Beevers], and we tried something different. Maybe that contributed, but I’m almost glad this happened. It’s a reality check, a reminder there’s still a lot to do. I learned a lot about some players today.”

Despite the setback, Elliott remains focused on the season’s goals, acknowledging the competitiveness of the league:
“When I took over, we were in the relegation zone. Now, we’re in sixth. This league has unpredictable results, with nine or ten teams in contention. We’ll just keep chipping away and meeting our targets.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s home fixture against Dunston, Elliott expressed optimism:
“I told the lads setbacks are part of football. On Monday, I want everyone focused on training and a massive game against Dunston, one of the promotion favorites. We need to be better because there were aspects today I wasn’t happy with.”

Teams

Newton Aycliffe

1. Jim Pollard
2. Ryan Lincoln Barrow
3. Joe Ferguson
4. Alex Nelson
5. Toby Pascoe
6. Wayne Whitfield
7. Ethan Wood (C)
8. Jake Petitjean
9. Dean Thexton
10. Liam Jarvie
11. Liam Adamson
    Subs: 12. Cieran Jackson, 14. Cole Kiernan, 15. Jack Clarkson, 16. Mark Wood

Bradford (Park Avenue)

1. Jack Hall
2. Kareem Hassan-Smith
3. Dan Francis
4. Luke Hogg (C)
5. Ben Blythe
6. Josh Ashman
7. Ted Lavelle
8. Sonny Whittingham
9. Paddy Sykes
10. Connor Shanks
11. Will Calligan
    Subs: 12. Myles La Bastide, 14. Connor Dimaio, 15. Jamiel Chikukwa, 16. Jack Normanton, 17. Alex Francis

Avenue will look to regroup as they return to Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday, facing Dunston in a crucial matchup for the play-off race.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are delighted to announce the loan signing of promising centre-forward Jack Goodman from Doncaster Rovers. The 19-year-old forward joins the Avenue on a deal that will keep him at Horsfall Community Stadium until January.

Goodman arrives with a wealth of experience for his age, having already made plenty of senior appearances for Doncaster Rovers. His impressive record includes six EFL Trophy appearances, two outings in the EFL Cup, 14 in League Two, and a debut appearance in the FA Cup. Jack has also honed his skills with valuable loan stints most recently at Peterborough Sports, and also with Stamford, Gainsborough Trinity, and Matlock Town, showcasing his adaptability and abilities across multiple levels of English football.

Jack Goodman will be available for selection immediately and is expected to play a vital role in the club’s ambitions through our busy winter period. Welcome to the Green Army Jack!

Today, Bradford (Park Avenue) head on the road to take on Newton Aycliffe in what promises to be a thrilling NPL East fixture. With both teams looking to strengthen their positions in the league, this encounter is set to be a challenging one for both sides. Here’s a look at the stats and form leading up to this match.

📊 League Standings:

• Bradford (Park Avenue) currently sit in 6th place with 28 points from 15 matches, holding a +8 goal difference.

• Newton Aycliffe are close behind in 9th place with 22 points from 13 matches and a +7 goal difference, showcasing their solid performance this season.

🔥 Recent Form (Last 6 Matches):

• Newton Aycliffe have been in excellent form, sitting 2nd in the form table with 15 points and a +10 goal difference in their last six matches. This impressive run shows they will be a tough team to break down.

• Bradford (Park Avenue) are also showing consistency, currently 4th in the form guide with 12 points and a +4 goal difference over the same period.

⚽ Top Scorers for Newton Aycliffe:

• Dean Thexton leads the charge with an impressive 13 goals this season, posing a significant threat to Bradford’s defense.

• Jake Petitjean follows with 8 goals, while Liam Jarvie and Cole Kiernan have netted 6 each, showing that Newton Aycliffe have multiple players capable of finding the back of the net.

Match Insights:

With Newton Aycliffe’s solid form and their goal-scoring capabilities, Bradford’s defense will need to be sharp to keep Thexton and his teammates at bay. Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be looking to their attacking players to make a statement, aiming to exploit any gaps in Newton Aycliffe’s defense.

Kick-off: 3:00 PM

Location: Moore Ln, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5AG

Let’s get behind the lads and push for another positive result! 💚⚽️

Support the lads on the road as we head to Newton Aycliffe tomorrow! Limited seats are available on our minibus, so grab yours before they’re gone! 🎟️

🗓 Saturday, 9th November 📍 Moore Ln, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5AG ⏰ Kick-off: 3:00 PM

🎟 Admission:

Adults: £9

Concessions: £6

Juniors: £3

🚌 Minibus Travel:

Price: £10 per person

Limited Seats Available – Don’t miss out!

Let’s bring the Green Army to Newton Aycliffe and make it a day to remember! 💚💪

#BPAFC #GreenArmy #OnTheRoad

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC is thrilled to announce that Connor Shanks and Ben Blythe have today committed their futures to the club by signing new contracts, securing their places at Horsfall Stadium until the end of the 2024/25 season.

This exciting development was made possible thanks to the exceptional support and funding from the Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund.

Connor Shanks: Known for his skill and versatility, Shanksy first donned the iconic Green and White last season while on loan from Spennymoor Town. This season, Connor has made 16 appearances, scoring 5 goals.

Originally from Halifax, Shanks developed through Huddersfield Town’s youth system before joining Bradford City’s Academy in 2017.

He made his senior debut in the EFL Trophy for the Bantams in September 2017 before rejoining Huddersfield after the conclusion of his contract.

His time with Spennymoor saw him make 10 appearances, during which he notably scored off the bench against Darlington and secured a dramatic equalizer in the dying moments against Scarborough.

Ben Blythe: A standout in defense, Ben Blythe first rose to prominence in the 2019-20 season, captaining Doncaster Rovers’ under-18s to their inaugural league title since the academy’s inception.

His leadership and solid defensive capabilities earned him a professional contract in July 2020. Blythe made his senior debut for Doncaster Rovers in May 2021 in a League One clash with Peterborough United and gained valuable experience on loan at Farsley Celtic in the National League North.

Upon his return, he earned his first league start against Oxford United. In March 2022, Blythe joined Swansea City’s U23 team after a successful trial, later embarking on a productive loan at Barry Town in the Cymru Premier, where he made 22 appearances, scoring twice and adding two assists. This season for Bradford (Park Avenue), Ben Blythe has made 7 appearances, scoring once.

We look forward to seeing Connor and Ben continue to contribute to the club’s success and wish them both the best as they continue their journey with us at Horsfall. Watch their interview below.