We wanted to take this opportunity to give full visibility to our fans on where we currently are in terms of the 20/21 season, the National League Vote and our next few fixtures.

As many of you are aware we have had over the last 2 weeks lots changes in the information we were given when we kicked off the league in October and also in the nature of the pandemic itself since that start. These changes have increased the financial burden on the club significantly and it is with the long term preservation of the club that we have made the below decisions

Firstly in the NL vote which came to us late on Monday night we have today voted

• Resolution 1 we voted for the National League North and South to decide their own leagues fate
• Resolution 3 (assuming that resolution 1 passes) we voted to Null and Void the season
• Resolution 4 we voted for the National League North votes to be for Null and Voiding of the season

The concept that it takes 28 days for all 66 votes to be counted is quite honestly staggering and puts us in a position that would mean we play on for another 4 weeks, incurring all of the costs associated with that, only to possibly find the league has been Null and Voided. As a board we cannot enter into this type of irresponsible course of actions, so we have written to the board and advised them that until the votes are all in and counted and final decision on the season continuing has been made, we wont be playing any further matches, in the short term this means our games at home this Saturday against Farsley and next Tuesday away at Blythe will not be taking place with a team from Bradford (Park Avenue).

Once the outcome of the vote is know we have asked the NLB to confirm that grants will be forth coming to enable us to compete further and complete this seasons fixtures.

We can confirm that, due to once again Gareth supporting us, we will be able to start the 21/22 season in the National League North if no grants are forth coming and the current season is null and voided.

#UTA

Following on from last night’s statement, we have created this image to help!

The National League has distributed resolutions this evening for Member Clubs to consider the outcome of the 2020/21 season. 

The resolutions are formed of four parts: one Special Resolution and three Ordinary Resolutions based on the outcome of the first. A Special Resolution requires a 75% majority to be passed, whereas an Ordinary Resolution requires a more than 50% majority. Resolution 1 and 4 votes will be counted under prescribed voting conditions. Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted with one vote per Member Club.  

Should Resolution 1 pass, Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted, with Resolution 4 disregarded. Should Resolution 1 be voted against, Resolution 4 will be counted, with Resolution 2 and 3 votes disregarded. 

Under The National League’s Articles of Association, Member Clubs have 28 days to return voting submissions. 

The resolutions are as follows: 

Resolution 1 (All Clubs)

That Resolution 2 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of The National League (Step 1) be taken only by Clubs in the National League and that Resolution 3 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) be taken only by Clubs that play in the National League North or the National League South with votes cast for Resolution 3 being counted on a one member, one vote basis for National League North and National League South Clubs. 

Resolution 2 (National League Only)

That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League (Step 1) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 2 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association, those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 1 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season. 

Resolution 3 (National League North and South Only)

That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season. 

Resolution 4 (All Clubs)

That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season. 

Following the review of the feedback from Clubs in connection to the recent Clubs meeting, a Board meeting this morning decided to halt the participation in the North/South Divisions for a two-week period, effective immediately.

As a result, tomorrow’s games are formally postponed.

We are delighted to announce the details of our live coverage of Saturday’s National League North fixture against Kidderminster Harriers.

We go live at 14:30, and once again, behind the mic we have Mick ‘Game Caller’ Gledhill, backed up by our co-commentators.

Andy is behind the interview camera and we hope to bring you them exclusively on the stream as well!

We hope you can join us, all this will cost just £5.00!

Follow the link below, if you are a first time user you will need to sign up, its free to create an account;

https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/Y1FXMTBw

The National League has held meetings with Member Clubs today to discuss further information regarding the Government’s Winter Survival Package.

A presentation was given to Member Clubs at today’s meetings to assess various options. The National League wishes to place on record its gratitude for the approach of Member Clubs at each meeting.

Interim General Manager of The National League, Mark Ives, has requested each Member Club to provide views on three points:

1. The operation of a Club Loan process.
2. The operation of a National League Loan.
3. A suspension to The National League 2020/21 season.

The purpose of feedback is to assist the Board in understanding views of all 66 Clubs. The Board will be meeting before the end of the week.

The away side broke the deadlock as Danny Elliott’s rebound from a penalty gave his side the lead. With half-time approaching, it was another rebound that punished Bradford as John Johnston chipped Dan Atkinson and several Avenue players from the edge of the box.

After the break, Bradford recovered well and got back to level terms with goals from Luca Havern and Lewis Knight.

With 89 minutes on the clock, Kevin Morgan scored a wonder goal from 20 yards but an own Josh Askew own goal into added time sent the Avenue into celebration.

The Avenue started brightly, playing some decent football on the quick surface due to heavy rain in the region throughout the day.

Bradford could’ve taken an early lead as Knight’s shot was saved by Chester FC goalkeeper Louis Gray inside the area. From the rebound, Brad Dockerty’s left-footed effort was deflected wide from 12 yards.

Despite enjoying more of the possession, the Avenue conceded a penalty. Jamie Morgan skipped past a couple of challenges on the right wing and went down inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot, with Mark Bower fuming at the decision from the touchline. Danny Elliott saw his shot saved by Atkinson before smashing the rebound into the corner.

In the lead and getting used to the surface, the visitors took the game to the Avenue, but it was the hosts who should’ve equalised.

Jake Hibbs, returning from suspension, won the ball from Askew and fed Knight, who was through on goal. The striker dribbled towards Gray but the in-form number ten dragged his shot wide from 14 yards.

After losing Will Longbottom to injury, Bower’s side conceded their second goal of the evening. 

Atkinson made another fine save, this time denying George Glendon from 12 yards. The ball bounced off his feet into the path of Johnston and the winger lifted the ball over the Avenue goalkeeper and into the far corner from 16 yards.

With words of Bower, Danny Boshell and Ryan Toulson ringing in their ears, the Avenue players started aggressively, pressing further up the pitch and disrupting their opponents pattern of play.

With two attempts from Nicky Clee and Brad Dockerty setting the tempo, but failing to trouble Louis Gray in the Chester FC goal, Bradford halved the deficit. 

Knight’s in-swinging corner was flicked into the path of Havern at the back post, and the defender toe-poked the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

And then, Knight scored a crucial equaliser. The striker used his pace to chase down a pass from Clee into the left wing. With some excellent footwork, the striker put the ball through the legs of a defender, carried on driving into the box, shrugging off a couple of challenges along the way before scrambling the ball home.

After getting level on the scoreboard, Bradford continued to impress and posed an attacking threat, with Clee and substitutes Luke Rawson and Oli Johnson coming close to giving their side the advantage.

With the additional minutes about to announced, the visitors thought they’d won the game with a stunning goal.

Morgan, outside the penalty area, expertly controlled the ball on his chest and then unleashed a sweet right-footed volley into the top corner past Atkinson, who was rooted to the spot.

Following celebrations on the pitch, the away side got back in position for the restart, with only a few minutes left to play.

But the character of this Avenue side never fails to amaze. This team never give up.

Into additional time, the visitors had a numerical advantage in the final third, but a superb block from substitute Adam Nowakowski kept his side in the game.

And then, deservedly, the Avenue snatched a dramatic equaliser.

Clee pushed forward on the left wing and evaded a challenge before drilling a low cross past Gray. Captain Havern was lurking at the far post but Askew put the ball into his own net from close to the delight of the players and management on the Avenue dugout to earn a draw.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Windass (Nowakowski 83), Booty, Havern (c), Hibbs, Longbottom (Johnson 38), Marriott, Dockerty, Knight (Rawson 63), Clee

Subs not used: Sanyang, Hussain.

Goals: Havern (58), Knight (62), Askew (og 90+2)

Chester FC: Gray, Morgan, Askew, Weeks, Roberts, Grand, Johnston (Waring 69), Glendon, Dudley, Elliott, (Goodwin 85), Bauress (Marsh-Hughes 85)

Subs not used: Clark, Burke

Goals: Elliott (18), Johnston (42)

Yellow cards: Askew, Glendon, Weeks, 

Referee: Ed Duckworth

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Following the recent heavy snow and freezing temperatures in Bradford, today’s Vanarama National League North fixture against Chester FC has been postponed.

The fixture will hopefully take place on Tuesday 19th January, with kick-off at 7.45pm, at the Horsfall Stadium.

We are happy to announce that we have agreed with Brackley and the National League to play our recently postponed game with them to Tuesday the 23rd of February, 7.45pm.

#UTA #longmidweektrip