The club are hosting a speaker evening with ex Burnley, Wolves and England player Steve Kindon Friday 2nd November.
Tickets are just £12 and include a pie and supper.
The bar in the clubhouse will be open from 7pm, and the event commences at 8pm.
If you would like to purchase a ticket please see Dave Stordy in the Clubshop or he can be contacted on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk
Bradford (Park Avenue) will face what is likely to be their sternest test of the season on Saturday when they host table-toppers Chorley.
The league leaders have been unassailable thus far, conceding just five goals in twelve National League North games and accumulating thirty points.
However, confidence will be coursing through the veins of Mark Bower’s men after they dismantled Nuneaton Borough in their last game.
Saturday’s opponents have an Emirates FA Cup first round tie to look forward to after advancing in the competition at the expense of Barrow last week. Although a clash with Doncaster Rovers is on the horizon, the Magpies will be returning their focus to league matters as they look to maintain their unbeaten record.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Jamie Vermiglio
Chorley supporters were stunned by the shock departure of Matt Jansen in the summer but the man chosen to replace him has certainly stepped up to the plate. A former midfielder and coach at Victory Park, Vermiglio was already a popular figure at the club and is even more popular now after taking the club to the league summit. As a player, he also represented AFC Telford United, Scarborough and Northwich Victoria before moving into management.
One To Watch:
Marcus Carver
The 25-year-old has played a significant role in the club’s ascension to top spot. An industrious forward, he has led the line tremendously this season and notched in last week’s Emirates FA Cup win over Barrow. He began his career with Accrington Stanley and enjoyed loan spells at Marine, F.C Halifax Town, Barrow, AFC Fylde and Chorley before joining the Magpies on a permanent basis in 2016.
In honour of this clash of non-league titans, Bradford (Park Avenue) has a special drinks offer on for season ticket holders of any club (including rugby clubs) and members of our mailing list.
*Buy two bottles of Coors or Magners and get your third one free on production of any season ticket or pre-match programme e-mail.
Bradford (Park Avenue) romped to an emphatic 6-0 win over cash-strapped Nuneaton Borough.
The opening ten minutes of the game were frantic as both sides hunted for an early opener.
Enoch Andoh raced to the byline before pulling back to Dior Angus, who could only watch as a deflection diverted his shot away from goal.
After stifling a dangerous-looking Nuneaton attack, Bradford broke swiftly, and Oli Johnson drew an impressive stop from Cam Belford.
Nuneaton’s Andoh then rattled the woodwork after latching on to a loose ball inside the 18-yard box.
Minutes after being denied by Belford himself, Johnson turned provider to tee up Lewis Knight but the Boro stopper produced another save.
Jake Beesley then came close, connecting with Nicky Wroe’s corner delivery but watching as his header looped over the crossbar.
The visitors were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Conor Branson gave them the lead. The midfielder, who is currently in a rich vein of form, was edged wide after rounding Belford but managed to lift the ball into the vacated net from a seemingly impossible angle.
Mark Bower’s side continued to pile pressure on the hosts and Belford did magnificently to tip a long-range piledriver from Jamie Spencer over the crossbar.
Wroe then doubled Bradford’s lead in sensational fashion, shooting from just inside Nuneaton’s half and catching Belford off his line.
The advantage was increased shortly after through Jamie Spencer. After Wroe’s corner delivery was cleared, the ball fell to Spencer and he rifled past Belford.
HALF-TIME: Nuneaton Borough 0-3 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Boro boss Nicky Eaden made a double substitution at the break and for the first ten minutes of the second-half, Nuneaton were on the front foot.
However, the struggling side couldn’t capitalise, and Harry Panayiotou squandered the best opportunity that fell Nuneaton’s way when he fired wide from just outside the box.
Bradford soon regained control of the game and a fourth goal looked inevitable as Nuneaton struggled to cope with their opponents’ attacking threat.
Lewis Knight poked into the path of Beesley but Belford raced out quickly to deny the forward.
Nuneaton were then reduced to ten men after Belford kicked out at Beesley whilst contesting a loose ball. The goalkeeper was given his marching orders and Beesley stepped up to convert the resulting penalty past stand-in stopper Mike Calvely.
The deflated hosts looked even more helpless after Belford was dismissed and soon conceded again.
Debutant Alex Hurst was teed up by Danny Lowe and tucked the ball away in the bottom corner with a neat finish.
He had an opportunity to net his second mere minutes later but couldn’t find the target with a thunderous strike from the left-hand side of the box.
After registering an assist, Lowe was keen to etch his own name on the scoresheet and drew an excellent save from Calvely with a well-struck volley.
Boro were reduced to nine men in the latter stages following an injury to Jack Blackham, allowing Beesley to notch his second and Bradford’s sixth. Adam Nowakowski’s shot was blocked and the ball fell at the feet of the on-loan striker, who steered past Calvely.
FULL-TIME: Nuneaton Borough 0-6 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Nuneaton Borough: Belford (c), Obeng, Davies, Richards, Calvely, Carter (Blackham 61’), Kelly-Evans, Wharton (Panayiotou 45’), McGurk, Angus, Andoh (Baker 45’).
Unused substitutes: Wesolowski, Benjamin.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Lowe, Wroe (Hurst 68’), Killock (c), Havern, Spencer, Branson, Beesley, Johnson (Nowakowski 71’), Knight (Clee 68’).
Unused substitutes: Toulson, Atkinson.
Referee: Barry Lamb
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be in West Riding County Cup action on Monday 5th November.
The recent draw confirmed that the club will visit Brighouse Town, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
The match will kick off at 7:45pm at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and Bradford will be hoping to progress in the competition after last year’s early exit.
Here are the next six tests that Mark Bower’s side face:
20/10: Nuneaton Borough (A) – VNLN
27/10: Chorley (H) – VNLN
30/10: Darlington (H) – VNLN
03/11: York City (A) – VNLN
05/11: Brighouse Town (A) – WRCC
10/11: Curzon Ashton (A) – VNLN
Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of versatile teenager Alex Hurst from Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.
After last week’s defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, manager Mark Bower revealed that a new arrival was imminent and a deal has been agreed for the talented 19-year-old.
Hurst joined The Gladiators at the beginning of the 2018/19 season after impressing as a trialist during pre-season.
He ascended the ranks of Crewe Alexandra’s academy, which is renowned for the high calibre of player it produces. Whilst with Crewe, he represented the club’s under-18 and under-23 sides before departing for Matlock.
Mark Bower’s squad has been plagued by injuries in recent weeks and Hurst’s versatility will be crucial as Bradford look to remain in the play-off picture. He can operate on the left-hand side of midfield or at left-back, as well as being able to play as an attacking midfielder or forward.
He starred for Matlock in pre-season fixtures against Derby County, Gresley and Chesterfield and impressed manager Dave Hoole, who has since resigned. The former boss hailed Hurst as a ‘great asset’ to his squad who ‘trained really hard and applied himself’.
He could be in line for a debut tomorrow when Bradford visit Nuneaton Borough.
Welcome to Bradford, Alex!
The Horsfall College Of Sport is now recruiting for September 2019.
If you are wanting to play football while continuing your post 16 studies then we have the programme for you.
Come visit us down at the Horsfall Stadium on Monday 22nd October between 16:30 – 18:30 for the colleges first open evening.
For further details please contact:
Alex Meechan – meeks80@tiscali.com or 07967376958
Tally Clayton – natalie-clayton@live.com or 07772651700
* The #MANarama campaign made history as the first time an English Football League rebranded mid-season and raised £150,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
* In support of the campaign, Vanarama and sister brand Motorama donated £50 to the charity for every van, pickup truck and car it leased. This ‘lease a van, save a man’ initiative is running throughout September and October.
* Vanarama’s cheque for £150,000 was presented to Prostate Cancer UK at the flagship game for Non-League Day between FC Halifax and Chesterfield on October 13th. The presentation party included ultra-marathon hero Kevin Webber, who had just completed seven walking marathons in seven days.
The ground-breaking #MANarama campaign, which saw the fifth and sixth tiers of English Football make football history through a mid-season re-brand, came to an end on Non-League Day and raised a total of £150,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Vanarama, the UK’s leading commercial vehicle leasing company, powered the fundraising drive by sacrificing its naming rights for the National League, together with a vehicle leasing initiative, ‘lease a van save a man’, which ran throughout September and October. A cheque for £150,000 was presented at the flagship BT Sport televised game for Non-League day between FC Halifax and Chesterfield. The presentation took place ahead of the game when ultra-marathon hero Kevin Webber, who had just completed seven walking marathons in seven days, was given a guard of honour by both sets of fans.
£150,000 was raised by Vanarama in just 43 days by donating £50 for every vehicle it leased from the start of September until Non-League day on October 13th. Within that time a staggering 688 men would have died from prostate cancer, highlighting just how important it is that more men are made aware of the most common cancer in men. Prostate Cancer UK became the National League’s first official sponsor for the 2018/19 season and this year’s Non-League Day was given added significance by the presence of Webber.
Diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in November 2014 and told he could have as little as two years left to live, the remarkable Webber has raised thousands for the charity in a series of epic endurance events and in the build-up to Non-League Day he walked more than 180 miles from Blyth Spartans to FC Halifax Town. In total, he visited 10 National League clubs, hand-delivering unique captains’ armbands to be worn by all MANarama teams on Non-League Day. The bright orange band, which includes the iconic Prostate Cancer UK logo, illustrated the clubs’ united stand against the most common cancer in men.
Also joining the fight was Sky Sports television pundit and Prostate Cancer UK ambassador Jeff Stelling, who posed with one of the armbands alongside Hartlepool United skipper Andrew Davies ahead of their away clash at Leyton Orient.
Andy Alderson, Vanarama CEO and Founder said:
“At Vanarama we’re thrilled with the amount of money we’ve been able to raise for Prostate Cancer UK. The MANarama campaign brought together three great organisations with one main goal – to raise awareness and funds in the fight against the most common cancer in men.
“We’ve managed to get to this total because of our wonderful Vanarama customers, and if you’ve leased a van from us in the last 45 days, you have helped save a man. Hopefully the money donated to Prostate Cancer UK can play a small part in one day beating this truly terrible disease.”
Angela Culhane, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said:
“We’re thrilled with the continued success of Non-League Day, and to pick up a cheque from Vanarama for £150,000 is a wonderful end to this campaign.
“In many ways, there was no better person to collect it on our behalf than the extraordinary Kevin Webber. He’s no stranger to extreme activities, and by embarking on an epic 10-club excursion in the north of the country he’s selflessly spread a powerful and personal message about this deadly disease, utilising the power of football and the communities that bring those clubs to life.
“Kevin is an inspiration and we also thank the National League for making us their first ever charity partners and everyone who has embraced the brilliant MANarama campaign that has caught the imagination so much.
“There is real momentum building now in the fight against this disease, and the vital next step is to work towards a screening programme to catch more prostate cancers early and save more lives. Thanks to this exciting campaign we can move a step closer to making this a reality.”
National League Chief Executive Michael Tattersall, who walked alongside Webber in the final day of his challenge, said:
“We’re delighted at the response of our temporary – and historic – rebranding to the MANarama National League over the past six weeks and it’s wonderful to see so much money and awareness raised to aid the fight against prostate cancer.
“We are proud to have Prostate Cancer UK as our first ever charity partner and look forward to working with them more going forward.
“This deadly disease has no boundaries, so it’s been incredibly inspiring to see Kevin Webber raise so much awareness within many of our membership. He’s a remarkable man doing remarkable things and we will continue to stand alongside him and everyone affected by prostate cancer.”
Yesterday, the club announced that owner Gareth Roberts has nominated Jonathan Collura for the role of Director at Bradford (Park Avenue).
The nomination came as part of a recent restructuring, which has seen a community interest company owned by Gareth Roberts become the new ownership vehicle.
Jonathan introduced himself to supporters of the club on Saturday, featuring on the panel during the open forum at the Horsfall Stadium.
Before watching Bradford take on Kidderminster Harriers, the prospective director sat down with us to discuss everything from his background to his vision for the club:
Football is a sport that clearly runs through Jonathan’s veins and he discussed how his love for the game was ignited by Crystal Palace and the introduction of the internet:
“I’m a lifelong fan of the English game. When I went to college in 1994, I was an avid Crystal Palace fan. In that year, the internet came online and my love of the game grew because of all the information that was available. While in college, I founded one of the first Crystal Palace websites, which I ran from Lincoln, Nebraska. We had international supporters, we had match reports and video clips, but when the game expanded, we were wiped out quickly! It was fun though. I actually wrote for non-league programmes as well and was published by several clubs whilst writing about my experiences as a supporter in America.”
Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to the Horsfall Stadium, having already been involved with clubs in the United States and one of Bradford’s Vanarama National League North rivals:
“In 2015, I got the opportunity to be a partner in an English football club. That club was Alfreton Town. They have a phenomenal chairman in Wayne Bradley, I learned a lot from him in the time I spent there. I eventually left to focus on doing my own things back in the US. I was a partner in a club in Napa Valley, California and then in January 2018, I launched Bugeaters Football Club. Bugeaters are based in my home community of Nebraska. Bugeaters is a nickname for native Nebraskans, when people see the name they either get it or think we’re insane!
“The team began playing in the 2018 season and we’re currently examining leagues for 2019, but it’s been a phenomenal run. We had a massive launch and sold tens of thousands dollars worth of merchandise.”
He then discussed how he came to be involved with Bradford, before outlining his plans and ambitions:
“I’ve known Gareth Roberts for some time. I spoke to Gareth about his involvement with Bradford (Park Avenue) back in 2015, when I was at Alfreton. I kept in touch and we discussed ideas together, and I visited the Horsfall in 2016. Over the last twelve months, we’ve had deeper discussions about things that I can help him with. My interest stems from my background as an entrepreneur and my success with my own companies, as well as my passion for the game and thoughts on innovation and marketing.
“I’m a director elect, pending FA approval. This is to help Gareth focus on two things. One is sustainability, and the second is the community. The club, as it stands today, is fantastic on the pitch but needs some help off it. For the club to endure the next fifty years, we need to set the path for that today. A club like this has a decent fanbase but in today’s digital era, it’s not just about the fans at the match, it’s also about the outreach that you have. Bugeaters are an example of that as not only do the club have fans in Nebraska, it has fans internationally. We have fans here in England, who actually watch live streams of our matches. Boosting the social media and digital side of things is vital in establishing the brand. Bradford (Park Avenue) have an absolutely amazing history and now it’s time to lay the foundations for the next fifty years. We need to establish a brand and an identity.
“The Horsfall College of Sport is something that I’ve worked with Gareth on and the goal there is to get to 100 students. We currently have 26 but we think we can reach 60-90 in the next season and give opportunites to people in the community. At some point, we will have a player that comes through the Horsfall College of Sport and plays league football for the first-team side. That’s going to be something very special. The goal here is to make people say that there is something special going on at Bradford (Park Avenue).
“Regarding the Bradford Bulls involvement, we realised that there is a management team down the road that has been very successful both on and off the pitch and we need some infrastructure here. We have Damian Irvine, who has been a football executive in the EFL and has very innovative ideas. I’ve spent some time getting to know him and have really enjoyed speaking with him in discussions. First and foremost, we need to improve the image of Bradford (Park Avenue). We need to give it a brand and unique identity because it has one but people in the community don’t know it exists. The Bulls will be helping us with infrastructure and ways to increase attendances and awareness. They’ll be helping with the overall function of the club so that we have a sustainable model. Prior to Gareth’s involvement, the club had financial issues and Gareth has helped to fill that gap but in a situation like this, you need to build sustainability instead of continually funding a loss.
“Mark Bower is a tremendous manager who has done amazing things for the team on the pitch. Today, we have a game between 2nd and 3rd in the league at the Horsfall and that doesn’t happen by chance. Gareth has committed to funding his budget and has done a tremendous job.
“I want to tell the Bradford (Park Avenue) story. The club has history with every single one of its fans. Let’s sit them down, let’s interview them. Let’s have those stories told in a documentary so that you’re recording the club’s history. I see a lot of pictures that celebrate the history and the club’s icons but what about the recent history? What about the fans that are here today? Why are they here? They choose to be here. They choose to be here because they have a connection with the club so let’s tell their stories. If you read anything about Bugeaters, you’ll find that I built the club on a sustainability, community model. We’re going to see ties between Bradford (Park Avenue) and other clubs. With Bugeaters, and with teams around here. I see other teams signing development deals and wonder, why aren’t we doing that? We can benefit from one another.”
Bradford Park Avenue have today announced that the previously approved transfer of the club has taken place, along with two important proposed additions to the board.
The Club is pleased to announce that the new ownership vehicle is Bradford ( Park Avenue ) AFC CIC, a Community Interest Company fully owned by Gareth Roberts, who has been the principal financial supporter of the club for the past few years.
Speaking today about the transfer Mr Roberts said “The change to a community interest company is a relatively minor technical one, but it does allow for more financial flexibility in particular additional investment, which is always needed for the club to progress. We are still a community club and our vision for the club has not changed
Along with the completion of the transfer, Mr Roberts also announced that he has nominated Dr John Dean for the role of Chairman of the board of Directors, and Mr Jonathan Collura for the role of Director. Both are nominated pending FA board approval.
Dr John Dean is well known to Bradford Park Avenue supporters and the local community having served the club as Chairman from 2005- 2017. A lifelong supporter and Pudsey local, Dr Dean will bring many years of experience and Bradford Park Avenue history to the board of directors.
Texas based American Jonathan Collura is Managing Partner of 1836 Capital and Chairman of the Nebraska Bugeaters FC in the US. Previously a partner in Alfreton Town FC, Mr Collura’s experience in finance and management consulting will provide expertise and direction for the club during this important period of growth towards a community based self- sustainable model.
On the new appointments Mr Roberts said “ This is an important step for the club and the first of a number of steps that we intend to make over the next few months. Dr. John Dean will continue to bring his experience to the club and the addition of Jonathan Collura, a colleague of mine in Dallas and a big football fan, will bring some fresh ideas to the club.
In association with these changes, the club is forming an Advisory Board consisting of long time members Neil Fawcett, Ben Harvey, Dave Stordy and club secretary Colin Barker. Honorary chairman of the Advisory Board will be David Bruce, an Avenue legend along with his dearly departed wife Maria ,both renowned at the club for their support and generosity.
Rob Stanley has moved into a consulting position at the club for the remainder of this year and will be moving on to pastures new in 2019 The club would like to thank him for contributions to the club and invite him to come up north and see some games in future.
Photo: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) were supported by two of Yorkshire’s universities during yesterday’s defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.
Our friends at the University of Bradford visited the Horsfall Stadium, whilst students from the University of Huddersfield also travelled to support the club.
The University of Huddersfield are in the process of establishing a non-league society and its members supported Mark Bower’s side yesterday.
The University of Bradford are leading a campaign to provide Mark Bower’s side with more support and the university’s Director of Internal Affairs Mark Garratt told us why he is spearheading it:
“Back on the August bank holiday, myself and my son, Matt, came to watch as there were no league games on. When we visited, I was taken aback by the history of the club. Bradford City have a big fanbase of 20,000 supporters and when I spoke to a Bradford (Park Avenue) supporter, he said that the club only have 300 supporters. I couldn’t help but think that that was bonkers.
“I got in contact with the club and suggested that we should lead a campaign to get staff and students from the University of Bradford involved.
“It’s not just about getting students and staff involved, though. It’s about creating a connection on many levels. I’ve spoken to a director about getting our students involved in the community part of the club.”
