Today, Bradford (Park Avenue) welcomes Liversedge to Horsfall Stadium for a Bank Holiday showdown in the Northern Premier League East. Both teams are eager to claim all three points, with Avenue looking to bounce back after a mixed start to the season. Liversedge, coming off a couple of draws and a loss, will be hungry for a win as well. With the home crowd behind them, Avenue will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and deliver a strong performance.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will host Liversedge at Horsfall Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, looking to secure a much-needed victory in the Northern Premier League East. Danny Whitaker’s squad has had mixed results in their opening three league fixtures, and they’ll be eager to bounce back with a strong performance.
Liversedge has also had a challenging start to their campaign, opening with a 3-0 defeat to Garforth Town, followed by draws against Dunston and Bridlington Town. They will face Cleethorpes Town this Saturday before making the trip to Horsfall.
With both teams seeking momentum, this Bank Holiday clash promises to be a competitive encounter. Bradford will aim to capitalize on home advantage and take all three points as they look to climb the league table.
TONIGHT the Green Army return to the Horsfall Community Stadium, hosting Whitby Town on Monday 23rd October, KO 7:45pm. Admission prices are as follows: Adults will pay just £13 entry, Concessions are in at £10, Students with a valid ID pay just £5, Youth (12-17) is just £3, and u12s go completely free!
FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS – By Tim Clapham Bradford and Whitby first met in competitive football in 1997-98, in the First Division of the Northern Premier League.
The previous season Whitby had completed a wonderful double winning the Northern League championship and the F.A. Vase after defeating North Ferriby by 3-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium. Pictured below.
Whitby’s momentum saw them win the NPL First Division in 1998, when Bradford finished 9th. That season the teams drew 1-1 at Horsfall, but Town claimed a 5-2 victory at the Turnbull Ground.
In 2001-02, Bradford joined Town in the NPL Premier Division and both meetings ended in a 1-1 draw. The following two seasons saw Whitby win twice by 3-2 at Horsfall, while Bradford won both games at the Turnbull Ground by 1-0.
Bradford became founder members of the National League North in 2004-05, but were relegated back to the NPL at the end of the season, and meetings with Whitby resumed in 2005-06 when both games were drawn.
That season Bradford suffered a second successive relegation, and the clubs did not clash again until 2008-09, after Bradford had won the NPL First Division title. Meetings then continued for four seasons with Bradford winning six of the eight encounters.
Bradford’s promotion to Conference North in 2012 brought a temporary end to meetings between the two Yorkshire clubs.
The clubs have also met on five occasions in cup football. In 2002-03, Bradford won by 4-0 at the Turnbull Ground in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup, and in 2007-08, at Horsfall, in the same round, Whitby were defeated by 4-0.
The clubs have met once in the F.A Trophy, in 2003-04, when Bradford won a home replay by 1-0 following a 1-1 draw. In 1997-98, Bradford won by 2-0 at Horsfall in the NPL’s Unifilla Cup, and in 2001-02 they completed a 5-0 victory, again at Horsfall, in the NPL League Cup.
This weekend Avenue look for their first win since the 2nd of September when they beat Consett in the FA Cup first qualifying round.
The Green Army return to Northern Premier League action, facing Hyde United at Horsfall Community Stadium. Kick off is at 15:00 on Saturday. Gates open at 13:30.
Admission prices are as follows: Adults will pay just £13 entry, Concessions are in at £10, Students with a valid ID pay just £5, Youth (12-17) is just £3, and u12s go completely free!
Bower’s green army could jump Gainsborough in the table if results go their way this weekend. Currently sitting in 18th (two points above the drop) Mark understands the importance three points will mean for the team and the fans.
Avenue lost 5-2 to Tadcaster Albion in the West Riding Cup on Monday. Mark took the sensible decision to rest the first team squad for that match. The academy boys who stepped up put in a commendable performance and gained valuable experience. Before the match Mark said
“It’ll be a young team that play that game. With the squad that we’ve got and the injuries we’ve got, we’re not going to risk many first team players for that game.”
Being well rested, we can expect the first team squad to perform to the best of its abilities this weekend.
Hyde United sit seven places above Avenue and have won their last three league games against Atherton Collieries, Stafford Rangers and Basford United.
After losing to Avro in the Manchester Premier Cup; manager Nick Spooner stated:
“Hopefully everyone is back (from injury) … a couple could’ve done with a rest, but momentum was strong” – responding to the interviewer’s thoughts of: “Bradford Park Avenue being a good game to bounce back in.”
Written by Finlay Sturges
Twitter – @FinlaysturgesSJ
Instagram – @FinlaysturgesSJ
FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS – Tim Clapham @Avenueite
Bradford (Park Avenue) and Hyde United first met in Floodlit League football in the 1970s when they contested five matches over three seasons.
The North West Floodlit League comprised of clubs from the Northern Premier League and Cheshire League, and Bradford took part in the four seasons 1970-1 to 1973-4.
The visit of Hyde to Park Avenue in October 1970 was watched by 1,894, the club’s highest-ever crowd in the competition.
The 1973 power strikes brought an early end to the floodlit league that season and Hyde’s home game against Bradford was one of only a handful of matches played.
Rivalries were resumed in Northern Premier League football in 2001-2 when each team won their home game.
The following season Hyde finished bottom of the league and were relegated with Colwyn Bay. They only won five league games, one being against Bradford at Hyde at the beginning of the season.
The clubs did not meet again until October 2011, when they were drawn to meet in the 3rd qualifying round of the F.A. Cup. With home advantage, and top of the Blue Square Bet North, Hyde were firm favourites to beat Evo-Stik NPL Bradford from the league below.
However, in one of the shock results of the day Bradford triumphed 1-0 with Tom Greaves netting the decisive goal in the final minute. The clubs last met in 2014-15 in Conference North when Bradford completed a league double.
That season Bradford finished 13th, but Hyde dropped back into the NPL after being relegated with Colwyn Bay and Leamington.
Avenue return to Northern Premier League action this weekend, hosting Workington this Saturday 23rd September, at the Horsfall Community Stadium, Kick Off 3pm, and gates open at 1:30pm!
Adults will pay just £13 entry, Concessions are in at £10, Students with a valid ID pay just £5, Youth (12-17) is just £3, and u12s go completely free!
Card and Cash are taken at the Cemetery Road end, and the Park Road end is cash only.
Workington come into the game following a 3-1 defeat to National League North side Darlington last Friday in the 2RQ of the FA Cup.
The Reds have been a high-scoring team so far this season, their biggest League win so far was a 5-0 thrashing of Ashton United on the opening day of the NPL. Their biggest defeat came the following week, with Ilkeston Town netting 6 goals to Workington’s 1.
Avenue come into the game after FA Cup action, visiting Blyth Spartans on Saturday 16th and taking a 1-1 draw to force a replay at the Horsfall.
The replay ended 1-1 at Full Time, but Avenue couldn’t hold out through Extra Time, and two quick goals from Jonathan Hooper (110’) and Cedric Main (118’) saw the Spartans progress in the FA Cup.
Injury plagued the Avenue squad on that Saturday though, with Bower losing Jak Whiting in the 14th minute, and later Jamie Spencer in the 60th minute.
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Mark Bower said;
“Jamie looks like he’s going to be out for a few months having damaged his knee.
“We’re waiting on his results to work out a plan of action but he’s probably going to need surgery, so I don’t expect to see him back this side of Christmas.
“We’ll be looking to strengthen in midfield because of that, as Spenner was our most experienced player in there, and it looks very young without him.
“Harry, Harrison Hopper and Will Lancaster have done a good job in there, but we need someone now with a bit of knowhow and that streetwise edge.
“That’s especially important with us getting into autumn and the weather turning, so hopefully we can bring someone in this week.”
Bower is hopeful of welcoming back the likes of Mason O’Malley, Myles La Bastide and Jak Whiting from injury tomorrow too, as well as Hopper from suspension.
And he said: “After our first two games of the season, we’ve only lost one of our last eight games inside 90 minutes.
“We’ve been away a lot so it’s nice to be at home on Saturday.
“We can try and continue the good form we’ve had at Horsfall and start building some momentum in the league, as we’ve only had one game in the division in the last three weeks.
“We’ve got a little run of Saturday and Tuesday league games coming up, so there are plenty of opportunities to pick up the points on offer, getting the points we should have had in previous games.”
Before that trip to Ashton United next Tuesday comes the home clash with Workington, the cornerstone of Avenue’s annual beer festival at Horsfall, which also sees the teens in FA Youth Cup action tonight, and an Avenue XI take on a Bantams XI on Sunday, with free admission for the latter.
Bower said: “I hope the weather holds for it, and it’ll make the event and the Sunday even better if the academy and seniors both win.
“It’s good to have the facility at Horsfall now that allows us to do that, as a few years ago, with the weather we’ve had over the last few days, it’d have probably been called off.”
The clash with Workington is Bower’s main focus at the weekend, and he said: “They’re a good team who are confident in possession.
“They play in good areas where others wouldn’t take those risks and like to build from the back like us.
“They’ve conceded a lot this season but scored plenty too.
“We’re good at home though, and it could be a high-scoring game, even though I’d take a scrappy 1-0 win to get us going.”
Confidence should come from the FA Cup game with Blyth and the subsequent replay defeat in extra-time though, and Bower said:
From the North From the A189 (Spine Road) take the A193 (Cowpen Road) exit and follow this into Blyth, continue on the A193 as it becomes The Broadway. Continue on the A193 at The Broadway Circle roundabout and take the next left on to Plessey Road. The ground will be on your left.
From the South Exit the A19 onto the A189 (Spine Road) at the Annitsford Roundabout. After two miles exit onto the A1061 (signed A192 Seaton Delaval, Cramlington and Blyth Beach. Follow the A1061 for approximately three miles and exit left onto the A193. Turn right at the second roundabout onto Plessey Road as above.
Parking is freely available on the surrounding streets but please park sensibly and respect the local residents.
Postcode for SatNav: NE24 3JE
HOW ARE WE?
Mark Bower’s Squad have had a decent start to the Northern Premier League season, pulling off wins against Morpeth Town and Ilkeston Town at home, and sharing points with Guiseley and Bamber Bridge to gain 8 points from 7 games, and up until last Saturday (9th Sept) the team were on a 5 match unbeaten run after also beating Consett in the 1RQ of the FA Cup. As of 12/09, Avenue sit 16th in the League.
“We weren’t quite at it, we were loose in possession and gave the ball away while under no pressure. We were just that half-a-yard off it today.”
Talking on the FA Cup draw, Mark said;
“Well, they’re the the highest position team we could have possibly drawn at this stage, but we’ve been up there and had some good results over the last couple of years. We will have to have to be better than today (FC United (A), certainly when in possession, as Blyth play some good stuff and will pull us apart if we are wasteful.”
Graham Fenton’s Blyth Spartans have had an excellent start to their National League North season, gaining 15 points from their opening 9 games, winning 5 and losing 4. The Spartans currently sit inside the playoffs at 6th.
Just last Tuesday, The Spartans recorded their biggest win of the season against our neighbours Farsley Celtic, playing out a 4-0 thrashing of the Celts at Croft Park.
Blyth come into the game following a 2-1 defeat away at Chester. Following the defeat, Graham Fenton spoke on the FA Cup Draw, saying
“We have to get ourselves where we’re 10-15% better than we were today. We know what Bradford are like, they always pose questions and make it difficult, but we’re looking forward to being back and at home.”
Avenue and Blyth Spartans have previously met on 20 occasions.
Seventeen of these have been in league football and three in cup competitions. The odd number of league meetings was caused when the 2019-20 season was curtailed because of the Covid epidemic and the return fixture at Blyth was not played.
Avenue’s record against the Spartans is quite good with nine wins, five draws and six defeats. The three previous cup meetings were in the Northern Premier League Cup between 1998 and 2002, with Spartans winning both ties played at Croft Park by 3-1 and 4-0, however in Jan 2002 Avenue gained some revenge when Andy Hayward scored four times in a 7-1 victory at Horsfall Stadium in the quarter-finals.
Avenue have won on four occasions in the league at Croft Park. In fact Mark Bower’s men have won the last three meetings in the north-east by 2-1, 3-1 and 1-0, all matches being played on a Tuesday evening.
When the teams meet in the FA Cup it will not be under the Croft Park floodlights. Hopefully this will not have an undue effect on the Avenue team!
Any person applying for a concession may be asked to produce identification at the turnstile. If a supporter is unwaged and does not have proof of any of the above, they must contact the office prior to a game.
Disabled supporters pay either the concession or under 18s price and any carer receives free admission.
There is no segregation in place for this fixture.
Turnstiles will be open from 1:00pm – cash and card payments are accepted.
Our turnstiles are operated by volunteers; we would appreciate supporters arriving at the ground in time for kick-off so that the volunteers can finish as early as possible.
Early entry is via reception from 12.30pm until 1:00pm.
From 1:00pm access through reception will be for officials/players/sponsors/match day diners and those needing lift access only.
Food & drink
The main bar is open from 1.00pm and will close after half time as there is a pre-booked function in the evening.
For this match the SMRE bar is open from 1.00pm and will stay open until last orders at 6:30pm.
For the 2023/24 season the Kazbar has been fitted out with a new bar, and will be serving a selection of lager, IPA and cider. Please note this bar will only take card payments.
If you would like a group dining experience with a fantastic view of the pitch on a match day, then our match day dining tickets are for you. Priced at £40, with juniors half price. The experience includes the following:
Ticket for the game
Delicious two-course meal served before kick off
Pre-match brief from the Manager
Match day programme & team sheet
Half time refreshment
Private bar
Car park space (if you are attending with friends, the deal includes one space per four guests).
Broadhurst Park is the UK’s first new ground to be built and funded by a supporter-owned football club.
Covered on all sides, with standing and seating in the main stand and with a large and expansive home standing area behind the goal, FC United’s purpose-built 4,400 capacity homeshows what can be achieved when football fans with a vision work together and make things happen.
FC United’s members were involved at every stage during the design and construction process and the result is a stadium and community facility that is the envy of many clubs in higher leagues.
FC United is looking to create the first pollinator-friendly football stadium in the UK after supporters won a £4,000 Grow Wild community project award to develop a landscaping project at the ground.
As a community facility, Broadhurst Park will be used every day by local people and will host a range of sporting and recreational activities. A well-appointed function room and meeting spaces are also available for the local community, businesses and other organisations to hire.
Funding for the £6.3m facility has come from a variety of sources. FC United fans have raised £2 million from a pioneering Community Share Scheme and close to a further £1 million from other fundraising. Grant funding has also been provided from Sport England (Iconic Facilities Fund), the Football Foundation (FSIF), Football Foundation (Community Facilities Fund), Manchester City Council, Social Investment Business (My Community Rights), Manchester College and Viridor.
We would like to wish all supporters a very warm welcome to Broadhurst Park.
Miners Community Arts & Music Centre, 63 Teddington Rd, Moston, Manchester M40 0DJ
Located a stone’s throw from Broadhurst Park ‘The Miners’ is an award-winning multi-arts venue hosting music, art & film events. Featuring a café, bar and pool tables the venue is open before FC United home games.
Gardeners Arms Hotel, Moston Lane, M40 5RZ
Imposing red brick and white stone JW Lees pub on Greengate Roundabout. This is a 2-roomed community local with pool, darts and cask ale.
Railway Hotel, 82 Dean Lane, M40 3AE
A large red brick Joseph Holt pub. There are several rooms in what is an interesting layout. Railway memorabilia features as a nod to the history of the railway depot next door. Has darts (Manchester Dartboard), TV and cask ale.
Charlestown, 204 Charlestown Road, M9 7ED
Large suburban pub owned by JW Lees. Pub has large lounge, vault room, beer garden and cask ale.
Blue Bell, 493 Moston Lane, M40 9PY
Large red brick Victorian Joseph Holt pub dating from 1890. Interesting ‘spire’ style structure and 4 distinct rooms inside, all interconnected around a central bar. Typical Holts community feel and serves cask ale.
Fairway Inn, Nuthurst Road, M40 3PL
Joseph Holt pub that reopened in 2017, after a major refurbishment. Offers an extensive food menu and cask ale available. Outdoor seating area with canopies available.
Kick Off is set for 3pm, and admission prices will be posted as soon they are made available to us.
Mark Bower’s side have one more league game next Saturday 9th September, travelling to FC United of Manchester, before making the trip to Croft Park on Saturday 16th September.
The Green Army could go into the game 6 unbeaten if they can gain any points from their visit to Broadhurst Park, and can take confidence from some good performances.
“Its unfamiliar territory for us, over the last few years we’ve not had much luck with draws, but we’ll go wherever we have to go, and do our best.”
“I think the lads can take confidence from being unbeaten in 5, and we’ve been winning in different ways too.”
“The lads can go and give it their best shot, and if they do like we did at Consett, then we have a chance.”
Park Avenue fans will remember Blyth from our time in the National League North, most recently in the 2022/23 season, we played out a 0-1 loss at the Horsfall, and a 1-0 win earlier in the Season away at Croft Park.
Avenue go into the game after a 4 game unbeaten league run, drawing against Bamber Bridge and Guiseley while on the road, and beating Morpeth & Ilkeston Town at the Horsfall.
Consett go into the game on a 6-game unbeaten run, claiming a first win of the season against Kendal Town in the FA Cup, followed by league wins against Winterton Rangers, Penrith, a draw against Dunston, followed by two more wins against Sheffield FC and Avenues last FA Cup opponents Ashington.
Bradford (Park Avenue) and Consett have a history in the FA Cup, playing out a 2-1 draw while away in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
Consett had already won three FA Cup ties to reach the round, and it took late goals from Chib Chilaka and Richard Marshall to avoid an upset after Consett went 1-0 up after 74 minutes.
After last seasons FA Cup drubbing at Ashington, Mark Bowers side will look to put things right in the North East today. Stay tuned to our socials for live updates!
Maximum points the minimum requirement for Avenue.
Bradford (Park Avenue) remain alive in the National League North heading into the final two league games of the season, however they must win both fixtures and rely on results elsewhere to stand a chance of survival.
The Green Army will be hoping their recent revival is not a case of too little, too late, having put together an impressive five-game unbeaten run to close the gap on the sides above. Sitting six points from safety with two games remaining, the first of which is a game in hand, the Avenue will need to win both of their remaining fixtures and hope that Leamington, Blyth Spartans and Kettering Town all lose on the final day. There will also need to be a five-goal swing, with Bradford’s goal difference being four less than 20th placed Kettering. If the stars align and all of these permutations fall into place, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be a National League North club again next season.
On Wednesday evening, the Avenue will welcome play-off hopefuls Alfreton Town to the Horsfall Community Stadium in a fixture that was twice re-arranged last month, first because of the weather and again, two days later due to travel issues for the away side.
Alfreton’s league position has improved since the postponements, and The Reds will travel to West Yorkshire in fourth place knowing that a win would guarantee a play-off spot before facing a tricky away trip to fifth placed Brackley Town on the final day.
The Avenue defence will no doubt be aware of the threat posed by Alfreton’s experienced forward and top scorer Matt Rhead. The 38-year-old has netted an impressive 13 league goals this season, including one in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at home to Blyth Spartans.
The reverse fixture saw Bradford (Park Avenue) pick up a hard-fought point in a goalless draw at North Street back in November. The Green Army will also remember with fondness the last time Alfreton Town visited the Horsfall. A stunning second-half performance from the Avenue back in February 2022 saw them run out 5-0 winners against this weekend’s visitors. In fact, Bradford (Park Avenue) hold an impressive record when hosting Alfreton, unbeaten in their previous six encounters between the pair in BD6.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will then turn their attention to their final league game of the season as they host title-chasing AFC Fylde on Saturday in a fixture that could have major implications at both ends of the table. The Coasters were well on course for winning the league until back-to-back respective losses earlier this month against Spennymoor Town and Kidderminster began to cast doubt on their title-winning credentials. At the time of writing, AFC Fylde sit in second place, one point away from leaders King’s Lynn Town with a superior goal difference and a game in hand away to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday night. A win there would mean they head to the Horsfall in pole position to lift the league title on Saturday. Either way, Bradford (Park Avenue) will hope to throw a spanner in the works in front of their own fans.
Another accolade that AFC Fylde will be hoping to secure this season is that of the National League North top scorer. Attacking midfielder Nick Haughton currently leads the way with 24 goals this season, including four last time out in a 5-1 victory over struggling Leamington. Bradford (Park Avenue) have already been stung by Haughton this season, with the Fylde star netting twice in the reverse fixture, a 3-1 away defeat for the Green Army back in September.
If Bradford (Park Avenue) are to pull of the great escape they will need to improve their dismal head-to-head record against AFC Fylde, having never beaten them in league or cup since the latter were founded as Kirkham and Wesham in 1988.
This really is a crucial week for Bradford (Park Avenue), and the club needs you to back Bradford, starting with Wednesday’s visit of Alfreton Town. Adults and concessions can attend the game for a reduced price of just £5, with Director of Football Martin Knight on hand at the clubhouse after the game for a Q&A with fans. Why not get behind the Green Army and contribute to what could be the greatest escape in National League North history!
Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter and Instagram)
Wednesday 26th April – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Alfreton Town
Kick off: 19:45
Tickets for this game are reduced! Pay on the gate with cash or card:
Adult – £5
Concession – £5
Youth – £3
Junior – £1 (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult)
Director of Football Martin Knight will be at the game and available for Q&A.
Where To Find Us:
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG
Directions By Car:
Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.
Directions By Train:
Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.
From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):
Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).
From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.
Directions By Bus:
From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.
These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.
Turnstiles:
The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road.
Saturday 29th April – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs AFC Fylde
