Bradford (Park Avenue) return to action next Tuesday evening as they welcome a Bradford City XI to the Horsfall Stadium for their final pre-season friendly before the new campaign kicks off. The annual match will be for the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy.

📅 Tuesday 29th July 2025
🕖 Kick-off: 7:00PM
📍 Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟️ £5 Adults | £1 U18s
🎫 Tickets available now via Fanbase

Craig Elliott’s side come into the match following a positive 2-1 win over Guiseley on Saturday, with goals from Charlie Winfield and Prince Ekpolo sealing the result in a competitive fixture that provided another strong workout for the squad.

Reflecting on the game, First Team Manager Craig Elliott said:

“Really good friendly again – good tempo, felt like a proper league game. Guiseley have got some fantastic players, so to win tonight, I’m really happy and just happy with what we got out of the game.”

Tuesday’s fixture will offer a final opportunity for supporters to see the squad in action before the 2025/26 season officially begins. Avenue kick off their competitive campaign at home to Mossley in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 2nd August.

“I’ve just said to the players – lots of positives. We’re in a good place. Now it’s just about getting everyone back from holidays, fit and ready, and doing a bit more in training before we start the real stuff.”

Don’t miss your chance to back the lads one last time before the competitive action begins!

Bradford (Park Avenue) fans are in for a full day of football today, as both our First Team and Reserves are in action at the Horsfall Community Stadium.

The day kicks off at 1:00pm, with the First Team welcoming Folkestone Invicta for the latest fixture in our 2025/26 pre-season schedule. After a solid performance in midweek, Craig Elliott’s side will be looking to build further momentum with another strong showing on home soil.

Entry for the match is completely FREE, so we’re encouraging the Green Army to turn out in force and get behind the lads.

The action doesn’t stop there – at 4:00pm, our Reserves take to the pitch against Emley U23s. Owen Murphy’s squad continues its preparations for the upcoming campaign, and tomorrow’s test promises to offer another good challenge for the developing side.

The bar will be open throughout the day, with plenty of opportunity to enjoy a drink while taking in both matches. Whether you’re coming for one game or making a full day of it, we’d love to see you at Horsfall.

With two matches, free entry, and a great atmosphere on offer, it’s set to be a fantastic day out for fans of all ages.

Saturday 19th July – Matchday Schedule:
🕐 1:00pm – First Team vs Folkestone Invicta
🕓 4:00pm – Reserves vs Emley U23s

Come and spend your Saturday with us at the Horsfall – and enjoy a brilliant day of football with the Green Army!

You voiced your opinions – and we have listened!

As we prepare for an exciting 2025/26 season at the Horsfall Community Stadium, we’re pleased to confirm our updated Pay on the Gate (POTG) admission prices. These changes reflect our continued commitment to making football affordable and accessible for all across Bradford.

New Admission Prices for 2025/26:

• Adults (18+): £10
• Blue Light Card Holders, Armed Forces & Students: £5
• Youth (12–17): £3
• Juniors (Under-12): £1

These prices apply both on the gate and online via Fanbase, giving supporters the flexibility to buy tickets in the way that suits them best.

Our Early Bird Season Ticket window has now closed, and we are proud to share that 256 season tickets were sold across all categories. A huge thank you to every supporter who secured theirs early — your commitment means the world to us.

Official matchday programmes for all Northern Premier League, FA Cup, and FA Trophy fixtures will be priced at £3 and sold exclusively in the Clubhouse on matchdays.

Please be aware that pre-season friendlies, FA Cup, and FA Trophy matches are not included in season tickets. Admission prices for these fixtures will be announced closer to the respective dates.

Whether you’re renewing, returning, or making your first trip to the Horsfall — now is the time to get behind your local club. Every voice in the crowd makes a difference, and we can’t wait to welcome you for another unforgettable season.

📧 Questions? Contact: Thomas.Ogden@bpafc.com

The Green Army will kick things off with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at home to Mossley on Saturday 2nd August at 3:00pm, before travelling to Matlock Town a week later for our opening league fixture.

All Kick Off times are subject to change

AUGUST

Sat 2 – Mossley (H) – FA Cup EP – 3:00pm
Sat 9 – Matlock Town (A) – 3:00pm
Tue 12 – Emley (H) – 7:45pm
Tue 19 – Hallam (A) – 7:45pm
Sat 23 – Dunston (H) – 3:00pm
Mon 25 – Pontefract Collieries (A) – Bank Holiday – 3:00pm
Sat 30 – Grimsby Borough (H) – 3:00pm

SEPTEMBER

Sat 6 – Redcar Athletic (H) – FA Trophy 1Q – 3:00pm
Sat 13 – Blyth Spartans (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 20 – Lincoln United (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 27 – Bridlington Town (A) – 3:00pm

OCTOBER

Sat 4 – Ashington (H) – 3:00pm
Tue 7 – North Ferriby (H) – 7:45pm
Sat 11 – Blyth Town (A) – 3:00pm
Tue 14 – Silsden (A) – 7:45pm
Sat 18 – Heaton Stannington (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 25 – Newton Aycliffe (A) – 3:00pm

NOVEMBER

Sat 1 – Garforth Town (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 8 – Redcar Athletic (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 15 – Consett (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 22 – Ossett United (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 29 – Bishop Auckland (A) – 3:00pm

DECEMBER

Sat 6 – Blyth Spartans (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 13 – Lincoln United (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 20 – Emley (A) – 3:00pm
Fri 26 – Pontefract Collieries (H) – Boxing Day – 3:00pm

JANUARY

Thu 1 – Brighouse Town (A) – New Year’s Day – 3:00pm
Sat 10 – Matlock Town (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 17 – Ashington (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 24 – Bridlington Town (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 31 – North Ferriby (A) – 3:00pm

FEBRUARY

Sat 7 – Blyth Town (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 14 – Heaton Stannington (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 21 – Silsden (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 28 – Consett (A) – 3:00pm

MARCH

Sat 7 – Newton Aycliffe (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 14 – Garforth Town (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 21 – Redcar Athletic (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 28 – Hallam (H) – 3:00pm

APRIL

Sat 4 – Dunston (A) – 3:00pm
Mon 6 – Brighouse Town (H) – Easter Monday – 3:00pm
Sat 11 – Grimsby Borough (A) – 3:00pm
Sat 18 – Bishop Auckland (H) – 3:00pm
Sat 25 – Ossett United (A) – 3:00pm

We can’t wait to see you all at the Horsfall and on the road throughout what promises to be an unforgettable season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are proud to confirm our player sponsors for the upcoming 2025/26 season. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has stepped forward to back the lads this year. Your support makes a real difference on and off the pitch and is a vital part of what keeps the club moving forward.

We’re delighted to announce the following confirmed player sponsors:

Jack Hall – Chloe Popps
Kareem Hassan-Smith – Lets Be Avenue
Mark Beevers – BPA Forum
Josh Ashman – Shahidas Cafe
Jameel Ible – BPA Forum
Prince Ekpolo – The Three Keiths
Jak McCourt – We Are Bradford
Louie Chorlton – The Green Army
George Doyle – Guess The Gate
Connor Shanks – Louie Popps
Myles La Bastide – RAB 43-
Marcus Carver – Hector 44
Luke Parkin – ADW Holdings
Charlie Winfield – Aye Aye Rhubarb Pie
Connor Brown – Make Avenue Great Again
Dan Francis – Tesco Ian
Joe Ackroyd – The Fans of Culture
Craig Elliott – Dennis Choppen & Gary Choppen
Danny Ellis – RAB 43-
Thomas Ogden – BPA Forum
Paddy Sykes – The Walkie Talkies
Rico Kilbourn – The Walkie Talkies
Ryan Toulson – The Walkie Talkies
Karl Leneghan – The Walkie Talkies
Holleigh Farrington – The Walkie Talkies
Thomas McStravick – The Walkie Talkies

We are truly grateful for the incredible backing our sponsors provide. Each name will proudly appear alongside their player throughout the season, featuring on our website, social media and in our matchday programmes.

Thank you once again to all our sponsors for standing with the Green Army this season. We can’t wait to welcome you all back to the Horsfall soon.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are pleased to confirm our First Team Management, Coaching, Recruitment and Scouting team for the upcoming 2025/26 season.

Craig Elliott continues at the helm as First Team Manager and is joined by Danny Ellis, who comes on board as Player/Assistant Manager ahead of the new campaign, alongside Ryan Toulson, who starts his first season as Assistant Manager. Jak McCourt, who spent last season on loan from Ashton United, now joins Avenue permanently until the end of the 2025/26 season and continues in his role as Player/Coach. Karlos Leneghan also continues to oversee our goalkeepers as Goalkeeper Coach.

We can also confirm that key members of our backroom team will continue their outstanding work into the 2025/26 season.

Matt Harrison (Kitman)

Matt is an all-round legend in the dressing room. Since joining in early 2024/25, he’s kept the changing room buzzing with energy, passion and some of the best playlists around.

Brad Smith (Sports Therapist)

Now in his third season with the club, Brad is our dedicated First Team Sports Therapist and Academy Medical Lead. A graduate with BSc and MSc degrees in Sports Science and Therapy, Brad plays a vital role in keeping our players fit, healthy and ready to perform.

Holleigh Farrington (Club Secretary)

Holleigh took over the Secretary role in January 2024 and was deservedly named Club Person of the Year for her outstanding contribution during the 2024/25 season. Working closely with Craig on all player contracts and signings, Holleigh also acts as our Player Welfare Officer, holds a BSc in Sports Therapy, and is fully ITMIFF qualified.

Avenue are also delighted to welcome John Collins to the Horsfall Community Stadium as our new Head of Recruitment. John brings a wealth of experience and has already made an instant impact on and off the pitch.

John had this to say on his appointment:

“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work with such an historic club as BPA as Head of Recruitment. I’ve been here a couple of months and been welcomed by everyone at the club, and it’s clear to me Tom and the team are building something that will eventually see the club back where they belong.”

“Since I came in, I’ve played a big role in bringing Prince Ekpolo and Luke Parkin to the club, and both players are already showing in pre-season the influence they will have on the team.”

“I’m in almost daily contact with the manager discussing options for players to come to the club and I think Craig has built a fantastic squad that will make a real mark on the league this season. Hopefully the fans see that as well, with the season ticket sales through the roof.”

“It’s been a good start, but let’s not stop here! We have a good, experienced team of scouts watching games each week, so we will strive to keep raising the bar in terms of quality players arriving at the club now and in the future.”

Supporting John is a dedicated network of scouts, whose hard work behind the scenes will help shape Avenue’s squad for this season. Our scouting team for the 2025/26 season includes:

Lewis Sale

Chris Bell

Richard Pickles

Ade Patrick

Stephen Tordoff

Mal Saville

James Bloodworth

Leon Hudson

Mike Conway

With the experience and commitment of this team, Avenue fans can look forward to a strong, competitive squad — and hopefully some exciting additions throughout the season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to confirm the return of Dan Francis, one of last season’s standout performers, who is back at the Horsfall until the end of 25/26 season to further strengthen Craig Elliott’s squad ahead of the new campaign.

Francis was a commanding figure for Avenue last season, making 30 appearances and scoring six goals — an outstanding contribution for a defender and a testament to his quality at both ends of the pitch. He left the club to pursue a career in Germany but now makes his much-anticipated return to West Yorkshire.

A former Bantams youth product and Sierra Leone international, Dan brings with him valuable experience from Germany’s Regionalliga and Oberliga, where he turned out for Rot Weiss Ahlen, KFC Uerdingen 05 and TuS Bövinghausen. His composure, professionalism and attacking threat quickly made him a fan favourite at the Horsfall, and he now rejoins a refreshed squad under new First Team Manager Craig Elliott and his backroom team.

First Team Manager Craig Elliott had this to say on the signing:

“I am so happy to bring Dan back to the club. He was a brilliant player last season for us and we badly missed him when he left to pursue work commitments.

“I know he’s had plenty of interest from teams higher up the pyramid but I’m delighted he can see his future at BPA and I have no doubt he will be a big player for us this season.”

This signing would not have been possible without the fantastic backing of the Supporters Club (Development Fund), whose continued support is making a real difference on and off the pitch. If you’d like to get involved or help strengthen the squad further, please consider making a donation or contacting Dave Stordy directly.

Development Fund Donation Details:
Sort Code: 05-02-00
Account Number: 29955993
Reference: BTB

Welcome back to the Horsfall, Dan! We are also happy to announce that Dan is proudly sponsored by Tesco Ian.

Our pre-season schedule continues this week as Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC travel to face Tadcaster Albion.

It’s another valuable opportunity for Craig Elliott’s side to build fitness, test combinations, and keep preparations on track for a big 2025/26 campaign.

Fixture Details:
📅 Thursday 10th July
🕢 Kick-Off: 7:30PM
📍 Tadcaster Albion, LS24 9AY

We’d love to see plenty of the Green Army on the road to back the lads!

Come along, show your support, and let’s keep building towards the new season together.

Buy tickets for our home friendly vs Bradford City XI here – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures/Index?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=361

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce the return of Ryan Toulson, who joins Craig Elliott’s management team as Assistant Manager alongside Danny Ellis ahead of the new season.

Well known to the Green Army, Toulson is no stranger to the Horsfall Community Stadium. The former Avenue defender and fan favourite previously combined playing and coaching duties during his time here before departing in 2022 to take the First Team Manager role at Eccleshill United.

Most recently, Toulson was in charge at Liversedge, stepping in as player-manager on an interim basis in September 2024 following the departure of long-serving boss Jonathan Rimmington. After steadying the ship through a challenging period, he was appointed permanently and guided the side through the remainder of the campaign before leaving the role in April.

With a wealth of experience both on the pitch and in the dugout, Toulson brings invaluable knowledge of non-league football and an unwavering commitment to the club he knows so well. Having now officially hung up his boots, he will focus fully on his duties as Assistant Manager, working closely alongside First Team Manager Craig Elliott and fellow Assistant Manager Danny Ellis as Avenue prepare for the challenges ahead in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Watch his first interview since his return below

Everyone at Bradford (Park Avenue) welcomes Ryan back to the club and wishes him every success in his new role.

💚 Welcome back, Tully!