We are proud to announce that our new BPA x EV2 Leisure wear collection is now available for pre-order!
Pre-orders are on sale until Sunday 22nd October, those who pre-order will receive their items 6 weeks from then.
Items available are
Juniors Black & Green 1907 Bomber Jacket
Black, Green & White Track Jacket
White, Green & Black 1/4 Zip Hoodie
We are very pleased to announce the addition of Gerry Sutcliffe to our Board of Directors. That appointment has been confirmed today at Companies House.
Gerry has also agreed to join the board of our associated charity, The Horsfall Community Trust.
For most of you, Gerry Sutcliffe will need no introduction as he was an MP for Bradford South for over twenty years and the former Minister of Sport and Tourism. He was educated locally at Cardinal Hinsley and Bradford College and was a former leader of Bradford Council.
He has been a supporter of the football club since childhood and remains a keen advocate for the development of sport in South Bradford.
The Board is delighted to have him representing the club locally, which is an aspect of our governance that has been missing.
On joining the Board of directors of Bradford Park Avenue and becoming a trustee of the stadium trust Gerry SUTCLIFFE said
I’m delighted and proud to be asked to join the board by Gareth Roberts and his colleagues. As a child BPA played a big part in my life helping me make life long friendships and today I enjoy playing walking football at Horsfall. I share Gareth’s vision for the club and stadium and will use my experience to turn it into a reality.
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
BPA u19s are set to host @BottesfordTown u19s this Friday 8th Sept, kicking off at 7:45pm!
Entry is priced at just £3 Adults, £1 for Conc. Get yourselves down to the Horsfall and get behind the Avenue stars of the future!
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!
Watch Bradford Park Avenue Academy Technical Director @McstravickTom’s full interview over on our YouTube channel now! 👇
#UTA #GreenArmy #WxmAFC #Bradford #WelcomeToWrexham #EFL #Signing #Football #Transfer #Wrecsam
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.
You can watch the full interview with Mark Bower on Liam Halls transfer over on our YouTube channel below.
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.
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.
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.“
