With the forecast predicting consistent over night rain in the area, the decision has been taken to hold a pitch inspection at 9.45 am tomorrow.
We will update supporters once we have confirmation via the website and official social media channels:
Twitter: @BPAFCOfficial
Facebook: BPAFCOfficial
Branson joined BPA in the summer of 2018 after impressing in pre-season whilst on trial. The Former Barnsley under 18s captain who also spent time with Guiseley before joining Charleston Golden Eagles and Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the US, has proved a regular contributor to Mark Bowers team this season.
Manager Mark Bower was pleased to secure Branson’s signature saying:
“I am delighted that Conor has agreed to extend his stay with us. We have been pleased with his progress so far this season and hope he continues to enjoy his football at the Horsfall. Conor was happy to commit as he is confident that we will be able to maintain our play off push this season and continue to match his ambitions next season. I feel the deal represents a sound investment of the supporters players fund and club resources”
Bradford Park Avenue travel to Spennymoor on Saturday in 4th position in what shapes as an exciting clash with Spennymoor town in 3rd on the table.
Get behind Mark and the team as they battle to gain promotion to the National League. Entry is just £12 for adults, £9 for concessions, £7 for students and £2 for under-16s. A wide range of drinks are available at the bar and fantastic hot food can be purchased in the tea bar.
We’ll see you at the Horsfall. #WeAreBradford.
The Moors enter the match on the back of 4 straight wins however they meet a determined Avenue who have used the January Transfer period to freshen up the squad after a flat start to January.
Avenue will welcome classy new comers Charlie Andrew and Romoney Crichlow-Noble for the game, and with the added boost of Danny East returning following a long term injury, Mark Bower and the Squad are settled and poised for a big promotion push.
Having monitored the condition of the pitch and the weather forecast through out the day, the decision has been taken to postpone tomorrow’s fixture against Leamington FC.
Mark Bower’s side were convincingly beaten at the Phillips 66 Community Stadium in the reverse fixture and Saturday’s game also presents an opportunity to halt their recent slide.
January yielded just one point for Bradford but they remain in the play-off positions, albeit eleven points adrift of league leaders Chorley.
Young goalkeeper Jack Atkinson is likely to start between the sticks following Steven Drench’s departure and Danny East will be hoping to feature again after making his long-awaited debut against Brackley Town.
Bradford (Park Avenue) welcome New Signing from Huddersfield Town Romoney Crichlow-Noble.
The highly rated left-sided centre-half, who can also play at left-back, joined Huddersfield Town in March 2017 following a successful trial period with the Club.
After impressing for Town’s Under-18s towards the end of 2016/17 campaign, the defender stepped up to Under-23s level and went on to feature in 18 games last season before penning a new 2 year deal with the Terriers to the end of the 2020 season.
The 6ft 19 year old joins Mark Bower’s side on loan for the remainder of the season and the top-tier loanee will be alongside Charlie Andrew , who arrived this week from Championship club Hull City as Mark Bower and the team look to kick start the new month and play off race with a win. Kick off is 3pm.
#WeAreBradford
Charlie joins the Avenue following a successful loan spell at NPL Division One East side, Pickering Town, having made well over 50 appearances for the Pikes despite having only turned 19 at the start of January. During his time with Pickering, the young stopper has won man of the match a number of times and has picked up numerous awards, including the Manager’s Player Of The Year Award for 2017/18.
A rising star within the Hull City academy, Charlie has made 18 appearances for Hull City Under 18’s and a further 13 appearances for their Under 23 side.
The 6ft stopper joins Bradford through to the end of the season.
See Charlie in action this Saturday as Avenue take on Leamington at home, 3pm at the Horsfall Stadium.
#WeAreBradford
Bradford (Park Avenue) can tonight confirm Goalkeeper Steven Drench has left the club on a permanent transfer to Altrincham FC.
As outlined at a recent Fan Forum and in a statement as recently as Friday, Mark Bower and the Board are working closely together to refresh and re-balance the playing squad during January.
We operate a small squad with no reserve team, and the balance between having enough depth, and the luxury of having players not involved week to week is a delicate one at a club of our size and means. In order to recruit fresh faces to push forward into the Play-off Race, we, like many clubs, listed some players for Transfer in order to gauge interest. This was done only 14 days ago. Some of these players had requested more game time and opportunities; others have served the club very well in recent seasons however were not in the clubs plans for 2019/2020. 5 (five) players were listed in total with one player requesting a move prior.
Two players have departed the club in the past two weeks, both for healthy contracts elsewhere through to the end of the 2019/2020 season. Negotiations are continuing regarding one other player transferring.
Disappointingly there have been reports and misrepresentations made around this very normal business for a football club in January.
We remain consistent with the strategy and re-build of the club that has been communicated openly by Directors in recent months. We aim to build the most competitive squad under Mark Bowers’ stewardship as possible, with the aim and ambition to win every match we play and push for the play-offs and promotion. Retaining and extending our exciting group of core players is prudent and a priority.
We are working hard to improve Horsfall Stadium with pitch perimeter fencing being installed, and we are working with the FA to ensure Horsfall is compliant with Ground Grading Guidelines for the National League should Mark and the teams brilliant work to date this season achieve a play-off series appearance.
As outlined to fans very transparently recently, we can be sustainable should we reach the National League and we strive to achieve that goal.
We are active in the recruitment market and will be announcing more news in due course in-line with our strategy to invest our playing budget and generously donated supporter player fund monies in a prudent and efficient manner.
We expect to have settled on our transfer business by the end of the month and are all focused on winning football matches and extending the enjoyable season our supporters have been provided deep into the play-off race, and beyond.
