19 Jun 2019

Bradford (Park Avenue) accept offer for Conor Branson

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Bradford (Park Avenue) can today confirm that a transfer request of Midfielder Conor Branson to Altrincham FC has been accepted for an undisclosed fee.

The club would like to thank Conor and wish him the best with his move.

Bradford (Park Avenue) would also like to thank Altrincham FC for their professional standards and business approach during these negotiations.

The club continues to be busy in the close season and will be announcing further squad recruitment news ahead of the pre-season campaign.

14 Jun 2019

Defender Jon Moran Joins Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Garry Thompson has secured highly rated defender Jon Moran for the 2019/2020 season.

The promising 6 ft 4 Centre Half  who learned his trade with Crewe ,will bring experience and leadership to Thompson’s squad having enjoyed spells at Forest Green in League 2 and loan periods with Nantwich Town and Halesowen before joining Chester FC last season.

Garry Thompson was excited to secure Moran’s signature, commenting:

“We’ve had our eye on Jon and are pleased to attract him to the club despite there being quite a bit of interest elsewhere for his services. Jon is only 21 but has plenty of experience and his attitude and leadership qualities are what made us keen to bring him in“

Thompson Continued :

“We are building a group of players who want to play for this club, who want to forge reputations ,and who are prepared to do the hard work to prove themselves. Jon has chosen to come here because he understands what we are doing and where we are going and he likes it and wants to be a part of it , and we see in Jon a player who has the attributes and character to be a real leader for us on and off the pitch“ .

Jon Moran spoke to BPAFC.COM about his move to The Horsfall Stadium

“The club itself is a good attraction, it’s a club that’s moving forward and I think any young player wants to be a part of that kind of movement. I can’t wait for the pre-season fixtures and to get started, it’s a great opportunity for me here at Horsfall and I want to deliver for the club “

Moran Continued:

“I’ve had long discussions with Garry and the club about what they stand for and believe makes a strong and successful football club, and I agree with them. It’s a very positive football club with good people involved going about things the right way “

Bradford (Park Avenue) continue to offer one of the league’s most affordable football packages with their #ProperBradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages. Season tickets can be purchased on the official website below.

12 Jun 2019

Bradford (Park Avenue) sign Former Bantam Alex Laird

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Bradford (Park Avenue) have today secured 20 year old defender Alex Laird for the 2019/2020 season.

The promising local learned his trade having joined the Bradford City academy as a 13 year old and was rewarded with a professional contract at 18 years of age by then City Manager Stuart McCall after impressing in reserves fixtures despite his young age.

Laird featured on debut in October 2017 in his first of two Checkatrade Trophy fixtures before his season was cruelled ended by an Achilles injury and he was released whilst still recovering in May 2018.

On working hard to regain fitness Laird played with Albion Sports in the North East Counties Premier Division during the 2018/2019 season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) Manager Garry Thompson was excited to secure Lairds signature, commenting:

“Alex typifies what we are looking for in our squad. He has obvious ability but has had some adversity in his young career and has shown the character to get himself fit and get match time at a lower level in order to prove himself and be ready for an opportunity when it arises.”

Thompson Continued :

“Alex has a good solid base of development behind him, he is a local lad and he has shown he has the talent to succeed, we’re excited to have him and provide the platform and environment for him to shine and make a name for himself at Horsfall“

Alex Laird spoke about his move to The Horsfall Stadium

“I’m really pleased and I’m really excited to join The Avenue. Being a Bradford local I know the club well and it will be an honour to pull on the shirt and represent such an historic club. I spoke to Garry and was impressed with the clubs direction and the chance to be a part of the new changes and a new era at the club was ideal timing “

Bradford (Park Avenue) will meet Alex and Garry’s former club Bradford City in a feature pre season friendly on Tuesday 23rd July at Horsfall Stadium as both clubs prepare for the season proper beginning early August.
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29 Dec 2018

Match Preview: Boston United vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to end 2018 on a high by extending their unbeaten league run to a staggering 11 games.

Mark Bower’s side have continued to defy the odds throughout December and put West Yorkshire rivals Guiseley to the sword in emphatic fashion on Boxing Day. The table-toppers are now three points ahead of 2nd-placed Chorley, who will be making the trip to Curzon Ashton.

Today’s opponents, Boston United, occupy 11th place in the Vanarama National League North and are five points adrift of the final play-off spot. They suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Alfreton Town at the Jakemans Stadium on Wednesday but will be hoping to bounce back with a win over the league leaders.

The two sides clashed back in August and Bradford came out on top, sealing a 1-0 win after Oli Johnson converted a first-half penalty. Mark Bower’s side were also victorious on their last trip to the Jakemans Stadium, overturning a 1-0 deficit to clinch a 2-1 win in April 2018.

GUIDE TO THE OPPOSITION:

The Gaffer:

Craig Elliott

Elliott took over as manager of Boston in November 2017, joining from Shaw Lane. He had guided his previous employers to three promotions in four seasons and was subsequently handed the reigns at the Jakemans Stadium following Adam Murray’s departure. He has also enjoyed spells in charge of Glasshoughton Welfare and Ossett Town.

One To Watch:

Nicky Walker

The 24-year-old played under Craig Elliott at Shaw Lane and was reunited with his former boss when he signed for the Pilgrims. A gifted winger, Walker ascended the ranks of Rotherham United’s academy and represented Barrow in a loan stint whilst on the Millers’ books. He is currently enjoying his second spell at Boston having also plied his trade at the Jakemans Stadium during the 2015/16 campaign.

21 Nov 2018

The Soccer Store Donate Football Goals The Horsfall College of Sport.

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The Soccer Store have donated two Samba Football Goals to Bradford (Park Avenue)’s Horsfall College of Sport. The goal posts will be used in training sessions at the College.

The donation coincides with the current recruitment campaign in which the college is inviting applications from male and female students (16-18 year olds) who are interested in a career in the sports industry; the college is open to all students with an interest in Football. Students will study for a BTEC Level 2 or 3 dependent on their academic qualifications, for further information please contact – info@horsfallcollege.com

Jack hart from The Soccer Store said

“It is great to get involved with Bradford (Park Avenue) who place such importance on youth football and football in the community. We know that away from the Premier League every penny counts in the running of football clubs and their academies and hope the two Samba football goals will help out.”

Alex Meechan of Horsfall College of Sport said

“We really appreciate this support from The Soccer Store in supplying these goals. Our students are doing a great job completing their studies and are developing well on the pitch with some good results recently. These goals will be used at our training sessions and we encourage any parents of boys or girls looking at post 16 study options to get in touch at this important time and come and discuss about what we can offer. It’s a very exciting time here at Horsfall with the Bradford (Park Avenue) first team sitting on top of the league and a real buzz around our loyal supporters, The Soccer Store have chosen a great time to get behind the club “

The Soccer Store is the leading online supplier of Samba Portable Goal Posts, which are used by Pro and Amateur clubs as well a young aspiring footballers in their own back gardens. They also supply an extensive range of football training equipment, match day equipment and footballs. You can visit their website to check out their full range of football goals

For further information about the Horsfall College of Sport please contact:

Alex Meechan – meeks80@tiscali.com or 07967376958
Tally Clayton – natalie-clayton@live.com or 07772651700

17 Nov 2018

Table Toppers Topple Ashton

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Bradford (Park Avenue) staged a late comeback to clinch a stunning victory over Ashton United.

The hosts suffered an early setback when Bradley Jackson wriggled away from his marker and rifled past Steven Drench.

Bradford looked to respond swiftly but Jake Beesley headed wide after connecting with Ben McKenna’s delivery from the left.

A neat exchange between Matt Hill and Bradley Jackson freed the latter but his cross wasn’t capitalised upon by the on-rushing Ashton attackers.

It didn’t take long for the Robins to double their lead and send the travelling supporters into a frenzy. The outstretched glove of Drench touched Liam Martin’s effort, but he couldn’t prevent the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

An opportunity fell Jamie Spencer’s way after he burst into the box but the midfielder struck into the midriff of Ashton stopper Pilling.

Drench couldn’t keep Martin’s shot out, but he did deny Liam Tomsett, producing a spectacular save to thwart him at point blank range.

Drench had to be alert again as half-time approached, scrambling across his line to hold Matthew Regan’s flicked header.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-2 Ashton United

Bradford started the brightest after the interval but Nicky Clee’s cross was intercepted after he weaved his way past three defenders.

The makeshift left-back also drilled a free-kick into the wall before McKenna’s follow-up was held by Pilling.

The former occupant of the left-back position at the Horsfall Stadium, Hill, then tried his own luck but fired into a sea of bodies.

Bradford eventually made a breakthrough when Alex Hurst teed up Lewis Knight, allowing the forward to rifle past Pilling from distance and reduce the deficit.

An equaliser followed almost immediately as the ball fell to Shane Killock inside the box and the captain steered into the bottom corner.

A shellshocked Ashton backline were carved open again in stoppage time and Killock netted his second to clinch victory.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 3-2 Ashton United

Bradford (Park Avenue): Drench, Ross, Clee, Wroe (Lowe 45’), Killock (c), Havern, Spencer (Nowakowski 71’), Branson, Beesley, McKenna, (Hurst 71′), Knight.

Unused substitutes: Toulson, Atkinson.

Ashton United: Pilling, Lees (c) (Casian-Anghel 90+3’), Hill (Crowther 90+3’), Ashworth, Chalmers, Sheridan, Jackson, Regan, Martin, Tomsett (Kay 78′), Askew.

Unused substitutes: Howarth, Roberts.

Referee: Michael Barlow

Attendance: 474

16 Nov 2018

Altrincham FC Away Travel

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The club are looking at running a supporters coach to Altrincham FC Saturday 24th November. Seats cost £12 for adults and £6 for under 16’s and pick up times are still to be confirmed.

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the supporters information desk in the clubhouse or contact him on 07811959003.

16 Nov 2018

Players Fund Update

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Club shop Manager and fundraiser Dave Stordy would like to provide the following update to supporters on the progress of this seasons players fund.

Our supporters players fund, which due to a couple of substantial donations, has now risen to over £5,110, thanks to all those who have contributed so far. As the majority of you will be aware the fund was started to help Mark and his management team compete with some of our wealthier rivals by possibly bringing in couple of additional signings, be they permanent or loans.

Whilst we have not set any targets I would at this stage like to propose we target to reach the end of the year with the target of £10k. To achieve this I’m suggesting that if say 250 of our regular fans could commit to paying £10 each in the months of November and December then that would see us reach that target to enable Mark to hopefully make a couple of new signings to help our promotion push. I know not everyone might be able to afford this but those that can will you please consider making the donations.

Donations can be made in cash in the club shop on match days, cheque or by bank transfer, if you wish to use the latter methods please contact me on 01274 512989 or email davestordy@hotmail.co.uk and I will give instructions on how to make your donation.

Thanks for all your support.

Dave Stordy

16 Nov 2018

Let’s Be Avenue – Walk Through Time!!

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Jayne Spencer, Community Manager and Mark Duffy, Community Sports coach will undertake their first official sponsored walk on the 16th & 17th November 2018 to raise funds for our newly created charity ‘THE HORSFALL COMMUNITY TRUST’ who’s working delivery name is AVENUE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Our new community trust has been created to increase its reach and delivery of community based projects across Bradford and we are hoping that local stakeholders, businesses and volunteers will get behind us to make a real difference.

Over the last couple of years, the club have been working in partnership with J.A.M.E.S, a local Bradford charity to deliver a range of community projects.

Our successful projects include attending community events/galas, after school clubs, ball boy/girl programme, Holiday clubs, Parents on the Ball programme, youth groups, Man VS FAT football, and outreach football sessions, including homeless football competitions, at community venues across South Bradford.

The National League Trust (NLT) provide funding for our community sports coach and as a result of setting up the charity, this will increase opportunities to apply for further funding for further coaching support staff. With NLT support we will be running (for the third year) our U11s 6-aside boys and girls football tournament, and we are hoping to apply for the Premier League Primary stars programme and other funding streams, to especially target inactive school children and young people in the district

The gruelling 30-mile walk will start at 10.30 on the morning of Friday 16th November 2018 at our current home at Horsfall Stadium but will also visit our former Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC football homes and return to Horsfall Stadium on Saturday 17th November 2018 in time for our game vs Ashton FC with a 3pm KO.

Our route will START from Horsfall Stadium to Horton Park to Campion FC to Bramley RLFC to Batley RLFC and FINISH back at Horsfall Stadium.

Jayne Spencer, Community Manager said

‘We are looking forward to undertaking this challenge to raise funds for our new community trust. Our aim is to make a difference to the lives of people living within our local community. We hope we can get lots of people on route saying hello and possibly some fans walking / greeting us on route’.

Robert Clunas, Chair of Trustees said

“The Horsfall Community Trust have recently attained charity status and this is the first major sponsored event we have organised in celebration. I would like to thank Jayne and Mark, and our volunteers for their commitment to the Trust and our objectives, and for delivering a host of different community based projects and activities across the past year, and especially for organising this challenging sponsored walk who’s theme we hope will appeal to all our loyal BPA fans old and new. All monies raised during this special event will be used within the charity to deliver more deserving community programmes across the coming twelve months…”

The team have gained support from their first sponsor, XBM but they are keen to hear from local businesses who wish to support the team in any way they can..

Donations can also be made through our Local giving page at www.localgiving.org called Horsfall Community Trust.

For further information please contact Jayne Spencer – Community Manager on Jayne.spencer@bapfc.com or 0780701194.