LOAN NEWS – Lloyd Smith
We can today confirm that Lloyd Smith has had his initial one month loan with Frickley Athletic extended to the 14th of February 2023.
We will continue to follow Lloyd’s loan on our Twitter @BPAFCOfficial – Stay tuned!
#UTA
MATCH REARRANGED – KINGS LYNN TOWN
MATCH REARRANGED – Last weeks postponed match vs @officialkltownfc has now been rearranged for Tuesday 31st January 2023 with a 7:45pm KO.
#UTA
Frozen pitch today? Not in Qatar!
We are opening our clubhouse once again for today’s massive 1/4 Final vs France.
Kick off is at 7pm, the bar will be open from 6pm, and free curry will be available to all supporters at half-time! Get down to the Horsfall!
#WorldCup2022
MATCH POSTPONED – KINGS LYNN TOWN (A)
Unfortunately today’s game vs @officialKLtown has been postponed.
A rearranged fixture will be announced at a later date.
#UTA
Fixture Update: Kings Lynn
We can confirm, due to the recent weather and expected cold temperatures overnight, that there will be a pitch inspection tomorrow morning at 8:30
As soon as we have any news we will share across our social media and website
#UTA
THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (05/12/22)
As we start the run-in to Christmas I’d like to praise the work of our volunteer ‘work force’. If I started with names I’d forget one and feel bad. On a matchday I see so many volunteers in all parts of the ground. They enjoy their role and put smiles on faces. They are friendly and helpful and they create a great impression on all those folk attending games, whatever small role they play. Every one of them is important and highly valued.
Of course you are all volunteer helpers if you rock up to support the team, pay for entry, buy some food and drink or kit from the shop. You have chosen to come and give your time and funds to support Avenue.
We have been rebuilding a club that was broken in the seventies and had some wilderness years before keen supporters resurrected us with most giving up time and money and starting fund-raising efforts to get us to our current level. We have travelled to several ‘homes’ before landing at Horsfall. All their past efforts are respected, fill us with pride and our newer supporters can now pick up the baton and press on, creating new friendships and loyalties.
Back in our league days crowds were fairly evenly spread across the two Bradford clubs but currently City can pull in large numbers of the city’s football fans, so we are working hard to create a new Bradford (Park Avenue) and hoping we can attract a thousand of those football fans for each home game as this number would help us grow and prosper.
That’s our first target, not our last, so please let’s create a City with two league clubs, like Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. We start with an improving stadium, friendly volunteers, very few paid employees and a love of football.
Bring a friend, tell your family, ask your business if they can help, sponsor players at every level and be a part of creating a friendly club atmosphere.
The club has helped to develop lots of young players recently from Romoney Critchlow at City, to Jake Beesley at Blackpool, Harry Boyes at Forest Green, Alex Hurst at York, Isaac Marriott at Altrincham, Olly Arblaster and Andre Brooks are now breaking into the first team at Sheffield Utd. We continue to help our players fulfill their ambitions and we enjoy their successes. Thomas Angell and Will Lancaster are our latest young stars stepping up with our help. It’s what makes us an attractive club for aspiring young players, playing with highly experienced players and working with Mark and Danny.
I’m proud to be a small part of a friendly club with good supporters, who are welcome at every away ground because we behave, have a drink or a brew, leave fireworks to experts, chant support rather than obscenities and collect programmes! We love our football and appreciate other non-league clubs, recognising our shared hopes and concerns.Come and join our supporters and volunteers.
We thank all our volunteer helpers and supporters and look forward to them getting some Christmas cheer over the next few games by winning more games, playing good football and having more success in 2023.
Thank you all for the very important part you play off the field.
MATCH REPORT – Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 – 0 Telford United
AVENUE MAKE IT 3 WINS IN 3 WITH A FIRST BRADFORD GOAL FOR JORDAN PRESTON
After a cold warm up, both sets of players and the 400 fans in attendance, were ready for a big game. At 19:45 the referee, Helen Conley, kicked the pair off.
The game started slowly but it saw AFC Telford keep a fair share of the ball. Mark Bowers men couldn’t seem to pick up the ball and string a success of passes, as Telford were comfortable in breaking their press. Although the possession was with the visitors, Bradford hit first, only to be ruled out, as Jacob Blyth was penalised for handball in the build up.
In the 23rd minute controversy struck and Kevin Wilkes was left fuming. A high clearance from Bradford (PA) meant the ball was out in the eyes of the Telford manager. Conley and her assistants did not call it. This lead to the first booking of the day as Thomas Angell flew into a hard tackle leaving George Burroughs down and hurt.
Ten minutes later saw the second goal of the match, but the first one added to the scoreboard. Another long ball sent up by the goalkeeper, George Sykes-Kenworthy, was taken down by striker Jordan Preston who intelligently turned on the ball and struck it firmly into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.
A well created chance was made from Telford’s winger Montel Gibson, as he weaved his way past two players and saw his shot skim the post and go wide. Wilkes’ men picked up two yellow cards before the half (Nathan Blisset and Adam Senior) as they went in 1-0 down.
Second Half began with a different tempo as both teams wanted to come out strong. In (Park Avenue)’s case, it was scoring another to put themselves in the driving seat, and AFC Telford just needed to equalise to then push on for another.
Bradford start off better out of the two, as within three minutes Sheffield United loanee Thomas Angell has a chance cleared off the line. The ball bounced and bobbled across the box with no Telford defender coming close to taking charge of the danger meaning Angell was allowed to shoot.
Wilkes made the first substitution of the match, as he looked to become more attacking. He brought off Bood for Williams in the 67th minute.
We reached the 80th minute with either teams creating any threat to each other, so Avenue boss thought to see out the game as he brings off goal scorer Jordan Preston for Harrison Hopper.
Four added minutes were called by the fourth official and Bradford tried their hardest to stay in the corner for them all.
Telford’s night finished in another loss. Still rock bottom with a tough rest of the season. As for Bradford (Park Avenue), they can celebrate three wins in a row, but must go again this Saturday against Kings Lynn Town.
MATCH REPORT FROM @finlaysturgesSJ from Leeds Beckett University Student Journalism
Travelling to the Kings Lynn Town match? Tickets can be purchased here
DIRECTIONS
Arriving by Car
The Walks stadium is located on Tennyson Road, post code PE30 5PB. Exit the A47 at the Hardwick roundabout and take the exit for King’s Lynn (Hardwick Road). Follow this road for 1 mile until the next roundabout. Take the 4th exit (Tennyson Avenue) and the stadium is 1 mile away.
Arriving by Train
The stadium is just 5 minutes away by foot through the Walks park. Exit the train station by the main doors and turn left. Turn left at the church and walk across the park to the stadium.
PARKING
There is limited parking at the stadium, as a result supporters are encouraged to park at St James’ Multi-storey, just a 5 minute walk from the stadium. Post Code: PE30 1BT
PROGRAMMES
Matchday programmes are available from the ticket office, via the online shop, or from sellers located at various places in the stadium on matchdays.
Club Statement: Adam Nowakowski
We can confirm today that fan favourite, club legend and all round nice guy, Adam Nowakowski is leaving the club for the foreseeable future.
Adam leaves to take up a position abroad with Nestle where he holds down a full time career.
The club wishes to pay our thanks to Adam, who has been an incredible servant, particularly over these last few seasons, playing for us for just £1 a week!
On his departure, Mark Bower said this of the ex Harrogate and Darlington player: Adam is a legend here, to not only start, but to continue playing for a quid a week is an amazing gesture. For me, he has been a real stalwart of this club, can play in a variety of positions and always gave me, the staff, the lads, and most importantly the fans, 100%. I am sure he will be missed by everyone at the club, the first team and the fans. He will always be welcome back at Bradford (Park Avenue) and we will hold his registration so that if he does become available we can bring him back.
Clubman of the year, Neil Fawcett was equally as enthusiastic about Nowakowski: What a player Adam has been for us over the years with his commitment to the club
Some of the banter on the team coach will stay legendary, away trips won’t be the same without the king on his throne!
Another fan, Lewis Sale said: Adam has been an integral part of the squad in his two spells at the club. His experience, personality and quality has been vital, both on and off the field. And, agreeing to play for a £1 a week is evidence of the person ‘Nova’ is. He’s an unforgettable and irreplaceable character and will be sadly missed, but I’d like to wish him all the very best and success for the future.
Adams team mate, Oli Johnson said: I’ve played with Adam since 2016 so he’s been a constant in my time at BPA. He’s the strangest guy I know but also one of the best. It won’t be the same without him. Good luck going forward mate!
Tonight marks Adam’s last game for the foreseeable future, we hope you are down here to send him off!
Everyone at the club wishes Adam well, best of luck Nova!
MATCH REPORT – Buxton 2 – 3 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Avenue pulled off an injury time comeback in Matchday 21 of the Vanarama North against newly promoted Buxton FC.
(Park Avenue) struck twice in injury time with Super-Sub Oli Johnson and Jacob Blyth taking the plaudits and Bradford took a vital three points back to West Yorkshire.
Both sides started well, but it was Buxton who struck first, and took the lead after 12 minutes of the first half, they caught (Park Avenue) on a counterattack and put the home side into an early lead, Bradford responded well from going behind, but they couldn’t capitalise on their chances.
However the Avenue drew level just before the half hour mark, a terrific strike by Will Longbottom, and from this Bradford went on the hunt for a second, nearly finding it just before the break and it was Longbottom again who found space inside the box, but he could only put his effort wide of the goal.
Buxton had their own chances towards the back end of the half, but two strikes at goal were well saved by Sykes-Kenworthy and both sides stayed level into the break.
Bradford and Buxton came out into the second period with all guns blazing, both teams having chances in the early stages of the second half, first Longbottom thought he rescued the ball as he crossed towards the back post, but the linesman adjudged that the ball had already gone out of play.
Buxton at the other end had a chance to take the lead three minutes later, a low strike from a corner was well saved again by Sykes-Kenworthy. And as the second half went on it was the home side who had the better chances, (Park Avenue) seemed to be hanging on and with 11 minutes left of the game Buxton’s pressure finally paid off as they took the lead and looked good for the three points.
Buxton were then reduced to 10 men, as Tom Elliot was show his second yellow of the game for simulation, and when the referee added 6 minutes to the 90 already played, an inspired Avenue had a bit of luck on their side for once.
Oli Johnson who had only been on the field of play for five minutes then equalised for the Avenue as he smashed his effort beyond the man between the sticks and it looked like a point on the road for Avenue, however as the celebrations wore on, and a fan suggested they spend some more time celebrating, it was goalscorer Oli Johnson who exclaimed “No, we can win this!” and sure enough, after a quick pass around between Angell and Staunton, a cross sailed over for Blythy to head through and secure a late winner.
You can watch all three goals here
This win propels Bradford up to 18th as we now approach the halfway point of the season.
Up next on Monday the 5th December we host AFC Telford United at the Horsfall Community Stadium! Kick Off is 7:45pm, and if you are a Season Ticket holder at Bradford City, or a Championship/Premier League club you can gain half price entry to this match!
Tickets are priced at £14 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 Students, £3 Youths and £1 Juniors. Parking at the Horsfall Community Stadium is free. Please consider the local residents and do not park on the yellow lines on Cemetery Road or in the Cemetery.
Travelling to the Horsfall Community Stadium? Click here for more details!
Match Report by James Fletcher