Due to a number of requests the club are looking at running a supporters coach to Curzon Ashton Saturday 10th November. Seats cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 16’s and pick up times are still to be confirmed.
To book your seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811 959003
Photo: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) face York City today, who head into the fixture after suffering back-to-back defeats.
Bradford’s Yorkshire counterparts were swept aside by Spennymoor Town in midweek, just days after losing to AFC Telford United.
Mark Bower will be hoping to face a deflated York side, who trail Bradford by eight points in twelfth place. He is a well-known figure among York supporters after enjoying two loan spells at Bootham Crescent during his playing career. It will be the second consecutive game to pit the Bradford boss against one his former clubs following the visit of Darlington in midweek.
The two sides last met in January and the Citizens came out on top thanks to strikes from veteran forward Jon Parkin and winger Amari Morgan-Smith.
Bower will be hoping for a different result today but is aware that York boss Sam Collins may ring the changes after recent defeats:
“I know they’ve tinkered with formations this season and after losing to Spennymoor they’ll probably be looking to change things.
“It’s a great one for our lads. It’s great to go to a club like York, where there should be a decent crowd in, and play with no pressure. We can go and enjoy ourselves, express ourselves, and if we play the way we’re capable of, we give ourselves a chance of getting a result.”
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Sam Collins
The 41-year-old was handed the reigns following a spell as caretaker manager. A former centre-back, he made over 200 appearances for Hartlepool United and also represented Huddersfield Town, Bury, Port Vale, Hull City and Swindon Town. Collins also enjoyed a spell with Bradford City as a coach, where he worked to develop the club’s young professionals.
One To Watch:
Sean Newton
The 30-year-old is the club’s captain and is an integral part of Sam Collins’ squad. A versatile defender, he joined the club from Wrexham in 2017 following a successful loan spell. He began his career with Chester City and has represented the likes of Droylsden, AFC Telford United, Stockport County, Lincoln City and Notts County throughout his career.
Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Mark bower will be live on Talksport 2 today from 11:15. Tune in for the latest on Bradford Park Avenue, news, team talk and much much more.
We also hope to get a recording of the interview and will get this published for those who miss the live interview.
With planned train strikes and limited parking the club are running a supporters coach to York City Saturday 3rd November. Due to popular demand a bigger coach has now been booked and only 10 seats are remaining. Seats cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 16’s. Pick up times are 10:30 from the Horsfall Stadium and 10:45 from Cedar Court and the plan would be to drop supporters off in the town centre a 12:00 and will be leaving the town centre at 18:00.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003
Having first met in the FA Cup in February of 1911, Bradford and Darlington faced each other another 43 times during Avenues days in the football league. The two sides matched up as equals over that time, with 18 wins apiece and 8 draws.
Recent history however has been somewhat more one sided, with Darlington winning 4 of the last 5 games. With Avenue notching the most recent victory over Darlington in this year’s FA Cup, the Quakers are sure to be out for revenge. But with current league standings, will Bowers men leave them quaking in their boots?
The league leaders have been unassailable thus far, conceding just five goals in twelve National League North games and accumulating thirty points.
However, confidence will be coursing through the veins of Mark Bower’s men after they dismantled Nuneaton Borough in their last game.
Saturday’s opponents have an Emirates FA Cup first round tie to look forward to after advancing in the competition at the expense of Barrow last week. Although a clash with Doncaster Rovers is on the horizon, the Magpies will be returning their focus to league matters as they look to maintain their unbeaten record.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will face what is likely to be their sternest test of the season on Saturday when they host table-toppers Chorley.
The league leaders have been unassailable thus far, conceding just five goals in twelve National League North games and accumulating thirty points.
However, confidence will be coursing through the veins of Mark Bower’s men after they dismantled Nuneaton Borough in their last game.
Saturday’s opponents have an Emirates FA Cup first round tie to look forward to after advancing in the competition at the expense of Barrow last week. Although a clash with Doncaster Rovers is on the horizon, the Magpies will be returning their focus to league matters as they look to maintain their unbeaten record.
GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:
The Gaffer:
Jamie Vermiglio
Chorley supporters were stunned by the shock departure of Matt Jansen in the summer but the man chosen to replace him has certainly stepped up to the plate. A former midfielder and coach at Victory Park, Vermiglio was already a popular figure at the club and is even more popular now after taking the club to the league summit. As a player, he also represented AFC Telford United, Scarborough and Northwich Victoria before moving into management.
One To Watch:
Marcus Carver
The 25-year-old has played a significant role in the club’s ascension to top spot. An industrious forward, he has led the line tremendously this season and notched in last week’s Emirates FA Cup win over Barrow. He began his career with Accrington Stanley and enjoyed loan spells at Marine, F.C Halifax Town, Barrow, AFC Fylde and Chorley before joining the Magpies on a permanent basis in 2016.
In honour of this clash of non-league titans, Bradford (Park Avenue) has a special drinks offer on for season ticket holders of any club (including rugby clubs) and members of our mailing list.
*Buy two bottles of Coors or Magners and get your third one free on production of any season ticket or pre-match programme e-mail.
Bradford (Park Avenue) will be in West Riding County Cup action on Monday 5th November.
The recent draw confirmed that the club will visit Brighouse Town, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
The match will kick off at 7:45pm at the Yorkshire Payments Stadium and Bradford will be hoping to progress in the competition after last year’s early exit.
Here are the next six tests that Mark Bower’s side face:
20/10: Nuneaton Borough (A) – VNLN
27/10: Chorley (H) – VNLN
30/10: Darlington (H) – VNLN
03/11: York City (A) – VNLN
05/11: Brighouse Town (A) – WRCC
10/11: Curzon Ashton (A) – VNLN
Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of versatile teenager Alex Hurst from Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.
After last week’s defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, manager Mark Bower revealed that a new arrival was imminent and a deal has been agreed for the talented 19-year-old.
Hurst joined The Gladiators at the beginning of the 2018/19 season after impressing as a trialist during pre-season.
He ascended the ranks of Crewe Alexandra’s academy, which is renowned for the high calibre of player it produces. Whilst with Crewe, he represented the club’s under-18 and under-23 sides before departing for Matlock.
Mark Bower’s squad has been plagued by injuries in recent weeks and Hurst’s versatility will be crucial as Bradford look to remain in the play-off picture. He can operate on the left-hand side of midfield or at left-back, as well as being able to play as an attacking midfielder or forward.
He starred for Matlock in pre-season fixtures against Derby County, Gresley and Chesterfield and impressed manager Dave Hoole, who has since resigned. The former boss hailed Hurst as a ‘great asset’ to his squad who ‘trained really hard and applied himself’.
He could be in line for a debut tomorrow when Bradford visit Nuneaton Borough.
Welcome to Bradford, Alex!
Over five months after they clashed in last season’s play-off elimination round, Bradford (Park Avenue) and Kidderminster Harriers meet again.
Today’s game also marks Non-League Day 2018, but in the midst of the celebrations there is a game between two of the National League North’s top three sides which looks set to be thoroughly entertaining.
Mark Bower’s side will be pleased to be back in league action after crashing out of the Emirates FA Cup last week and that will also be the case for the visitors, who were beaten by Stourbridge last week.
Gianluca Havern and Chris Dawson may not feature after picking up injuries during the defeat to Altrincham, but Bradford boss Bower has insisted that neither will be long-term absentees.
Speaking after last week’s cup defeat, Bower admitted that today’s test will be a stern one:
“Next week’s game is obviously going to be a really hard one against the team I expect to go on and win the league. But we’ll learn lessons from today’s defeat, we’re disappointed but we’ve got to keep things in perspective. Overall, this season, we’ve done okay. We’ve looked solid for most parts but we’ve got make sure we’re right back at it and putting in the kind of performances that we’ve put in over the last few weeks to give ourselves a chance of getting something out of the game against Kidderminster.”
Captain Shane Killock also discussed today’s challenge:
“We know Kidderminster are a good side. They’re full-time and they’re fit but we always raise our game against the better teams. There are no easy games in this league so we’ve got to keep going every Saturday and put the performances in.”
There’s never been a better time to come and support Bradford (Park Avenue). Season ticket holders from any cub can watch today’s game for just £5* and students can purchase a season ticket for just £10**.
*When season ticket is presented
**When valid student identification is presented
