13 Sep 2023

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund To Hold Beer Festival & Charity Day

by | posted in: Academy News, Development Fund News, First Team News, News | 0

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund in association with West Bowling ARFLC will be holding their annual beer festival at the Horsfall Stadium Friday 22nd – Monday 25th September.

There will be a range of 12 different beers, 2 ciders, and food available over the weekend.

Friday 22nd September – 6pm-11pm (Free Entry)
BPA Academy FA Youth Cup Match & Pigeon Racing

Saturday 23rd September – 12pm-10pm (BPA match day entry free apply or free entry after 4:30pm)
BPA Vs Workington @ 3pm

Sunday 24th September – 12pm -10pm (Free Entry)
Charity day involving a number of football matches between ex players, fans and guests.
There will also be stalls, games, and live music. All funds raised will be donated equally between the Marie Curie Hospice and one other to be announced charity. 

Monday 25th September – 6pm-11pm (Free Entry)
General Opening – £1 A Pint

Barrels are now available to sponsor at £100 per barrel. Sponsorship will include – programme publicity, 2 free tickets for a BPA home game and 6 beer tokens to be used over the weekend.

For further information or to offer any support for the event please contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

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2 Sep 2023

AVENUE IN FOR AUTY

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We can today confirm the signing of ex-Academy midfielder Joel Auty with the Club. 

Joel joins after spending a year with the Academy scholars, playing alongside other graduates such as Liam Hall, Zak Kersey & Myles La Bastide in the u19s Alliance League. 

Auty was previously part of the Academy set-up at Grimsby Town from ages 6-16 and while there, he played men’s football with NCEL Div 1 side Brigg Town to further his development. 

Joel was then scouted at the u16s exit trial last pre-season, and made the move to the BPA Academy just a few weeks later. 

Joel made 12 appearances across all competitions for the 1st team, and also played 18 league games for the u19s in the Alliance League, scoring 3 goals and assisting 10+. 

Joel also spent time out last season on loan with Thackley, Cleethorpes, for three months each, gaining vital semi-pro football experience. 

Academy Technical Director Thomas McStravick had this to say;

“I’m delighted for Joel. He’s a lad who’s moved away from home to be part of our academy and has worked hard over the last year.”

“Now his challenge is to make sure he’s in and around it as much as possible and follow in the footsteps of our other academy graduates.”

“This is yet another clear sign of the pathway available at the club.”

Joel is available for selection in todays game! Stay tuned for team news!

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18 Aug 2023

Liam Hall Signs For Wrexham

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Academy starlet, Liam Hall, signs for EFL League 2 side Wrexham AFC!

We can today confirm the departure of Goalkeeper Liam Hall to EFL League 2 Side Wrexham AFC!

Liam Hall joined Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy in 2020. He went on to play in the u19s Alliance League alongside other Academy graduates Zak Kersey, Mason Brewis and Myles La Bastide.

Last season (22/23) the Alliance team took it all the way to the final day of the season, but were just pipped into finishing the season in 3rd place, just 4 points behind Wrexham’s u19s side, who finished as champions.

Liam had his first taste of first team football in the 2021/22 season, playing against Campion AFC in the County Cup, and later that season went on to agree non-contract terms with the club whilst still developing in the Academy under club goalkeeper coach Danny King.

He spent the rest of the 21/22 season training alongside Avenue goalie George Sykes-Kenworthy, and gained his first experience in the National League North when he came on during the final day of the season match, seeing the last 15 minutes of action against Southport.

The following season, Liam briefly joined Ossett United, covering for the unavailable Ed Hall on a dual registration basis in November 2022.

Liam continued to impress the coaches, and played a County Cup game alongside other Academy Scholars and members of the first team against Brighouse Town. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Avenue going on to lose out on penalties 1-4.

Just under a month later in December 2022, Hall signed his first professional contract with the Club, an 18-month deal, which also made him the first Academy player to sign a professional deal since Academy Technical Director Thomas McStravick took over.

More recently, Hall has appeared in Avenue’s 2023/24 Pre-Season campaign, playing against Thackley in a 3-1 win, and vs Chorley in a 1-0 win.

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You can watch the full interview with Mark Bower on Liam Halls transfer over on our YouTube channel below.

https://youtu.be/oUhI6lxuSic

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1 Aug 2023

McGuire To Leave The Club

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We can confirm today that Scholarship Lead Coach Patrick McGuire has left the club.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Pat for his work at the club, both with the Juniors and Scholars which he lead to a 3rd place finish last season.

During his time at the club, Pat has coached players from our U8s to U19s, and also oversaw numerous Academy players make the step up into the first team including 14 for the County Cup match vs Brighouse Town last season, a game Pat managed from the sidelines also. Pat also created links with local non league clubs, which facilitated further opportunities for players to experience first team football.

Pat: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Horsfall, and it has been a privilege to coach in such a fantastic football environment, from the staff to the players and the 1st class facilities. I look forward to seeing the programme go from strength to strength and wish all involved at BPA all the best for the future.’

Pat moves on wish our best wishes and it goes without saying that he is always welcome at the Horsfall.

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31 Jul 2023

AVENUE PARTNER WITH THCT WITH EAT HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY PROJECT!

by | posted in: Academy News, News, THCT News | 0

Avenue partner with THCT to deliver Eat Healthy Stay Healthy project to help deliver positive messages and activities around the importance of eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle. Eat Healthy Stay Healthy is funded by The National League Trust. The project has been working in local primary schools and aims to help improve health and wellbeing among the children taking part. 

Ann Cosgrove from Allerton CE Primary said; 

“I have worked with BPA staff for 3 occasions each time for two full weeks. They are excellent and have a much wider range of skills than simply delivering football. The message really does hit home when professional football coaches are talking about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Our children love it.”

Academy Technical Director and Community Lead Tom McStravick said; 

“We are very mindful of the current cost of living crisis and the impact that this will have, longer term, on our children. As a football club and community focused organisation we are in a great position to be able to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Our school partners have been great and very supportive in our work.”

The Horsfall Community Trust and Bradford (Park Avenue) are planning to extend this project into September 2023 and look forward to an exciting journey ahead. 

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10 Jul 2023

NEW PHYSIO – BRAD SMITH

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We are delighted to announce our new physio for the 23/24 season as Brad Smith.

Brad joins the First Team staff following a year working as Academy Medical & Performance Lead. He also stepped up on multiple occasions last season in a First Team role. 

On the signing, Brad said this; 

“After being at the academy full time for the last year, it’s great to be trusted and given the opportunity to make the step up. “

“I got to work with the first team short term last year and they all made me feel welcome. They’re a good set of lads, so it will be a pleasure to get involved more long term, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Club Secretary Calum Cullen also added this;

“I’m delighted to get this one over the line, Brad is an outstanding physio which he showed in stepping up last season.“

“We are very lucky to have Brad already in the club and i’m sure he will be a real asset to the First Team this season and beyond.“

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29 May 2023

JAMES MAE SET TO STAY!

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In a show of unwavering support, the James Mae Group have agreed to continue their long-running sponsorship of Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC for the fourth consecutive season.

The prominent company will once again grace the front of both the club’s Home and Away kits, including the Academy and Ladies kits.

Following three successful years of collaboration, the decision to extend the sponsorship deal has generated excitement among everyone associated with the club. The James Mae Group’s ongoing commitment to Bradford (Park Avenue) highlights their belief in the team’s potential and their dedication to promoting the sport at every level.

Expressing his satisfaction with the sponsorship deal, Ed Caffrey, the Managing Director of the James Mae Group, said, “The James Mae Group is pleased to support and sponsor the upcoming 2023/24 season at Bradford (Park Avenue) Football Club.
This will now be our fourth year of sponsorship hopefully showing our commitment to this great club and it’s brilliant players across every level. Long May this partnership continue. Good luck and We wish all the teams every success.”

Football Operations Manager and Club Secretary, Calum Cullen, shared his delight at the continuation of the partnership. “Myself and everybody here at Bradford (Park Avenue) are thrilled that James Mae will be our main kit sponsor for the fourth consecutive season. It’s a genuine testament to Ed Caffrey and his company’s faith in our club, and we are incredibly grateful for their support. We eagerly anticipate their presence at the Horsfall Stadium once again this season.”

You can find out more about the James Mae Group by clicking here

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3 May 2023

Avenue Sign 3 Year Deal With EV2

by | posted in: Academy News, First Team News, Ladies Team News, News | 0

We are thrilled to announce that EV2 will be our new Kit and Apparel provider for the 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

EV2 are a local company, based in Dewsbury and specialise in bespoke sportswear. You can find out more about EV2 by clicking this link; https://www.ev2sportswear.com/about-us/

We spoke to Secretary Calum Cullen, who had this to say

‘We are absolutely delighted to have signed with EV2. The company shares our visions as a club, and having met with the people there I am confident of a great working relationship. It was important to us to make sure we got the very best deal we could for the football club and having spoken to a multitude of companies from all over the UK and even abroad, EV2 stood out for us. I am looking forward to working with everyone there’

Our new kit will be released in the coming weeks, alongside a full package of accessories and apparel. Keep an eye out!

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