We can now confirm the admission prices for all pre-season friendlies at the Horsfall Stadium will be as follows:
Vs. Mansfield Town, Bradford City & Barrow:
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under-16s: £2
Vs. Yorkshire Regiment:
Adults: £5
Concessions: £3
Under-16s: £1
Vs. Huddersfield Town Academy:
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under-16s: £2
In a busy start to the summer, manager Mark Bower has added three new faces to a squad already brimming with experience and talent.
His first move was to bring midfielder Ben McKenna back to the club after his initial departure in 2016. The summer signing from Curzon Ashton is a player that Bower is delighted to have back on board:
“Ben is a player that we’ve stayed in contact with since he left us 18 months ago. He’s an exciting player, which we saw glimpses of during his first spell with us and I’m confident that he will show his quality consistently in the coming season.”
Bower then raided his former club Guiseley for two defensive additions, one of which he worked closely with during his time with the Lions. The first of the arrivals from Nethermoor was 26-year-old Danny East, a versatile talent with experience of playing in the Football League:
“Danny East comes to us after a frustrating couple of seasons and he is keen to make up for lost time. He had offers which were better for him financially, but was keen to join us on a heavily appearance incentivised deal, as he is familiar with some of our players and recognises the progress that we are making as a club. He’s a versatile player who can be a real asset to us as he builds up his match fitness through pre-season.”
The most recent signing came in the form of defender Danny Lowe, who served as captain during Mark Bower’s tenure in charge of Guiseley:
“Danny Lowe is a key signing for us, he’s a leader both on and off the pitch. He has experienced promotions from our level before and I’m delighted that he’s chosen to join us as there were several clubs chasing his signature.”
Bradford succumbed to a late equaliser for the second consecutive game as Hemsworth Miners Welfare salvaged a draw.
Once again, Mark Bower fielded two different sides in each half as he continues to assess his squad ahead of the 2018/19 season. Ten trialists featured over the course of the 90 minutes and Academy talents Matthew Rowntree and Hassan Ali both made appearances. New recruit Danny Lowe was also introduced after the break to give him his first outing in a Bradford shirt.
The hosts, managed by former Horsfall stalwart Wayne Benn, won a series of corners in the opening exchanges and pinned Bradford in their 18-yard box for a prolonged spell.
It wasn’t long, however, before the National League North side found their stride and began to ask questions of the Hemsworth backline. A trialist will have been disappointed to have struck into the Hemsworth goalkeeper’s midriff after rounding the right-back.
Nicky Clee, despite operating at left-back, offered glimpses of his attacking potency with some marauding runs and neat exchanges around the opposition’s 18-yard box. A particularly slick exchange with a trialist opened space for him to shoot from around 20-yards but the effort was blocked.
Ben McKenna forced a defender to hook clear a teasing cross from the right as pressure began to mount on Hemsworth, and Clee forced the opposition’s stopper to scramble across his goal to save a well-struck effort from distance.
After a period of sustained Bradford pressure, the threat that the hosts posed became apparent as the half-time interval drew near. Hemsworth’s right winger whipped in a dangerous delivery from the right that longed for the slightest of touches to poke it over the line, but it eluded the on-rushing forward.
HALF-TIME: Hemsworth Miners Welfare 0-0 Bradford (PA)
Bradford flew out of the blocks after the interval and were fired into the lead by a trialist after just two minutes. He tucked the ball away in the bottom corner with admirable composure after some neat build-up play.
The same trialist then almost netted his second, drifting wide to the left before audaciously attempting to chip the goalkeeper. His effort, however, clipped the woodwork and dropped behind for a goal-kick.
He then had another opportunity to add to his tally after bursting past Hemsworth’s centre-back pairing, but his low-drilled effort flew wide of the post.
A lapse in concentration from Danny Boshell then enabled a Hemsworth forward to disposses him and run at Adam Nowakowski, but the towering utility man challenged strongly.
As the game entered its final 20 minutes, Bradford continued to pin Hemsworth back and press forward in search of a two-goal cushion. Academy midfielder Hassan Ali’s struck the post with a low drive that, fortuitously for the goalkeeper, bounced into his arms.
The hosts soaked up the pressure before being rewarded for their patience in the 83rd minute, as a Hemsworth forward poked home following a brief scramble in the box to salvage a draw.
FULL-TIME: Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Bradford’s next pre-season test sees them face EFL opposition in Mansfield Town on Thursday 12th July.
Mark Bower’s side make a swift return to action today, taking on Hemsworth Miners Welfare at the Fitzwilliam Stadium.
Admission is priced at £6 for adults , £4 for concessions/students and £1 for under-14s
We hope you can join us for the second summer fixture as Mark Bower continues to assess his squad ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Several first-team players featured in the draw with Silsden, and they are likely to feature again alongside trialists and academy players.
A late equaliser from former Bradford man Lee Spires denied his former club a victory in the first friendly fixture of the summer.
Mark Bower named a starting eleven comprised of first-team talent, trialists and Academy defender Lewis Johnson. The latter featured as a substitute against Brackley Town in the league last season and was called upon again after impressing for the club’s youth side.
Bradford started the game on the front foot, with Danny East and Johnson forcing the Silsden goalkeeper to race out and collect deliveries ahead of a lurking Adam Boyes.
The Cobbydalers’ first glimpse of goal came when their central midfielder wriggled away from Danny Boshell and saw his powerful strike held by Steven Drench.
However, their National League North opponents began to ask questions of the Silsden stopper on a more frequent basis as the half progressed. A Bradford trialist blazed over from close-range after the ball fell kindly for him in the box, a chance that was followed by another almost immediately. A trialist right-back raced down the right flank before pulling back to Danny East, who struck with venom but couldn’t find the right side of the crossbar.
The prolific Boyes had cut a frustrated figure throughout the opening thirty minutes but soon had an opportunity to open the scoring. An inch-perfect cross from the left found its way to the striker but his header looped over the crossbar.
The visitors then won a free-kick in a central position after a trialist was hauled to the ground, but the same hopeful lifted his effort over the woodwork.
On the stroke of half-time, a Bradford trialist tried his luck from distance but was denied by the Silsden stopper, who managed to hold on to the well-struck effort.
HALF-TIME: Silsden 0-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Mark Bower introduced a new cohort of trialists after the break, as well as first-teamers Ryan Toulson, Ben McKenna, Gianluca Havern, Nicky Wroe and Shane Killock. Academy forward Bradley Oliver also entered the fray, with fellow youngster Matt Rowntree joining him midway through the second-half. Adam Nowakowski also featured, taking the place of a trialist during the final 45 minutes.
Bradford started brightly, with Ben McKenna embarking on a mazy run down the left before serving the ball on a plate for a trialist. The hopeful, however, rifled over the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box.
The visitors were soon rewarded for their pressure when a trialist drifted out to the right before seeing a chipped effort sail over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
The opening goal seemed to light a spark in Silsden, who began causing problems for Bradford. The hosts’ right-sided midfielder unleashed a powerful strike that forced Bradford’s trialist goalkeeper to parry and pounce on.
The trialist stopper was then called into action when a Cobbydalers forward struck from around 25-yards, but he scrambled across to hold the effort.
Bradford were, however, unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Luca Havern was seemingly shoved to the ground inside the box. Despite protests, the referee didn’t give Silsden’s Yorkshire counterparts an opportunity to double their lead from 12-yards.
The returning McKenna had posed a threat throughout the second-half and after skipping past a Cobbydalers defender with ease, was clipped and gave a trialist an opportunity to try his luck from a free-kick. The resulting effort was struck through a gap in the wall but couldn’t find a way past the Silsden stopper.
As the final whistle approached, it was clear that Bradford weren’t content with their advantage as they continued to hunt for a second goal. Oliver bustled around the pitch, continually putting Silsden defenders under pressure and demonstrating an ability to bring others into the game with impressive link-play. The partnership of Rowntree and Wroe in midfield proved effective and Silsden found breaking through the lines difficult, enabling Bradford to contain their threat and attack with intent.
Despite continuing to press forward, a late Silsden sucker-punch denied Bradford victory. Lee Spires, a former player at the Horsfall Stadium, was in the right place at the right time to steer past Bradford’s trialist goalkeeper and earn the Cobbydalers a draw.
Bradford will face their next pre-season test on Saturday when they take on Hemsworth Miners Welfare at the Fitzwilliam Stadium.
FULL-TIME: Silsden 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Bradford (Park Avenue) first-half: Drench, Trialist, Clee, Trialist, L. Johnson, Trialist, Trialist, Boshell, Boyes, East, Trialist.
Bradford (Park Avenue) second-half: Trialist, Toulson, McKenna, Trialist (Rowntree 70’), Havern, Trialist (Nowakowski 70’), Wroe, Trialist, Killock, Oliver.
Mark Bower’s side are back in action tonight, taking on Silsden in a pre-season friendly.
Admission is priced at £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.
We hope you can join us at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium as Mark Bower begins to assess his squad ahead of the 2018/19 season.
New signings and old faces alike could feature, and the manager recently confirmed that trialists will be involved in the summer fixtures.
The Vanarama National League North fixtures have been released for the 2018/19 season.
Brackley Town brought an end to Avenue’s previous campaign in the play-off semi-finals and will provide the opposition in the first fixture of the new season on Saturday 4th August.
In a hectic August, Mark Bower’s side will travel to Blyth Spartans and Leamington before hosting Spennymoor Town and Stockport County. They will round off the month with a visit to newly-promoted Hereford.
Supporters can look forward to a derby double-header over the festive period as we face Guiseley on both Boxing Day and New Years’ Day.
The campaign will be brought to a close with a trip to Chorley on Saturday 27th April.
Here is a full list of the 2018-19 season fixtures:
Sat Aug 4 Brackley Town H
Tue Aug 7 Blyth Spartans A
Sat Aug 11 Leamington A
Tue Aug 14 Spennymoor Town H
Sat Aug 18 Stockport County H
Sat Aug 25 Hereford A
Mon Aug 27 Boston United H
Sat Sep 1 FC United Of Manchester A
Sat Sep 8 Chester A
Sat Sep 15 Altrincham H
Sat Sep 22 Emirates FA Cup 2Q
Sat Sep 29 Alfreton Town A
Sat Oct 6 Emirates FA Cup 3Q
Sat Oct 13 Kidderminster Harriers H
Sat Oct 20 Nuneaton Borough A (Emirates FA Cup 4Q)
Sat Oct 27 Chorley H
Tue Oct 30 Darlington H
Sat Nov 3 York City A
Sat Nov 10 Curzon Ashton A (Emirates FA Cup R1)
Sat Nov 17 Ashton United H
Sat Nov 24 Buildbase FA Trophy 3Q
Sat Dec 1 AFC Telford United A (Emirates FA Cup R2)
Sat Dec 8 Southport H
Sat Dec 15 Buildbase FA Trophy R1
Sat Dec 22 Hereford H
Wed Dec 26 Guiseley A
Sat Dec 29 Boston United A
Tue Jan 1 Guiseley H
Sat Jan 5 Stockport County A (Emirates FA Cup R3)
Sat Jan 12 FC United Of Manchester H (Buildbase FA Trophy R2)
Sat Jan 19 Blyth Spartans H
Sat Jan 26 Brackley Town A (Emirates FA Cup R4)
Sat Feb 2 Leamington H (Buildbase FA Trophy R3)
Sat Feb 9 Spennymoor Town A
Sat Feb 16 Altrincham A (Emirates FA Cup R5)
Sat Feb 23 Chester H (Buildbase FA Trophy R4)
Sat Mar 2 Curzon Ashton H
Sat Mar 9 Ashton United A
Sat Mar 16 AFC Telford United H (Emirates FA Cup R6/Buildbase FA Trophy Semi-Final)
Sat Mar 23 Southport A (Buildbase FA Trophy Semi-Final)
Sat Mar 30 Alfreton Town H
Sat Apr 6 Kidderminster Harriers A (Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final)
Sat Apr 13 Nuneaton Borough H
Sat Apr 20 Darlington A
Mon Apr 22 York City H
Sat Apr 27 Chorley A
Sat May 18 Emirates FA Cup Final
Sun May 19 Buildbase FA Trophy Final
Young midfielder Jamie Spencer has signed a new contract ahead of the 2018/19 season.
The dynamic midfielder initially joined on loan from Huddersfield Town in March 2017, impressing enough to earn a permanent move in the summer.
He made 45 appearances in all competitions last season, establishing himself as a key player with his combative style and energy.
During his first full season with the club, Spencer opened his account in senior football after netting in a 4-1 rout of Blyth Spartans in November 2017.
The 20-year-old becomes the fourteenth player to commit to Avenue for the 2018/19 season.
Want to see Spencer in action next season then why not purchase your 2018-19 Season Ticket now. This year’s adult ticket comes with one FREE under-16’s Season Ticket, and is excellently priced at just £135. Concessions are priced at £110, students / apprentices at £30 and under-16s can pick up a 2018-19 league Season Ticket for just £20. To download a season ticket application form please click here
Jamie Spencer is now available to sponsor and supporters are able to sponsor either his home or away kit for £60. To download a player kit sponsorship form please click here
Experienced defender Danny Lowe has become Avenue’s third new signing of the summer.
The 33-year-old left-back joins having spent four years with Yorkshire rivals Guiseley, who he left last month.
He was a mainstay of the Lions side that gained promotion to the National League in 2015 after signing from F.C Halifax Town in 2014 and was a favourite of Guiseley supporters. Avenue will also be acquiring another leader, with Lowe serving as captain during his time at Nethermoor.
Known as a dependable player, he ensured that Guiseley remained in non-league football’s top flight with a last-gasp equaliser against Solihull Moors on the final day of the 2016/17 season.
Manager Mark Bower is a particular admirer of Lowe, having named him in Guiseley’s starting eleven on 51 occasions during the 2015/16 season.
The tough-tackler becomes the twelfth confirmed member of Avenue’s 2018/19 squad.
Want to see Lowe in action next season then why not purchase your 2018-19 Season Ticket now. This year’s adult ticket comes with one FREE under-16’s Season Ticket, and is excellently priced at just £135. Concessions are priced at £110, students / apprentices at £30 and under-16s can pick up a 2018-19 league Season Ticket for just £20. To download a season ticket application form please click here
Danny Lowe is now available to sponsor and supporters are able to sponsor either his home or away kit for £60. To download a player kit sponsorship form please click here
In just a few days time, football returns! Forget the World Cup because Mark Bower’s side will be back in action on Thursday 5th July, taking on eight teams as they prepare for the 2018/19 campaign. Here, you can take an in-depth look at our opponents and find out which dates need to go in your calendar.
There are also four pre-season trophies up for grabs, as Avenue compete for the Donald Bell Trophy, The Tom Banks Trophy, The Yorkshire Rose Cup and The Dallas UK Cup.
Thursday 5th July – Silsden (Away)
7:45pm kick-off / Cobbydale Construction Stadium
Avenue’s pre-season begins with a trip to fellow West Yorkshire side, Silsden. The Cobbydalers were crowned champions of the North West Counties League Division One last season, and were guided to the title by former Avenue winger Danny Forrest. The 33-year-old made 50 appearances for hometown club Bradford City as a player, before enjoying spells with Crawley Town, Barrow, Guiseley, Harrogate Town and Gainsborough Trinity. He will be a familiar face to many, having representing Avenue during the 2013-14 season whilst John Deacey was in charge. Forrest scooped the NWCFL Division One Manager of the Year award recently, and his Silsden side will provide stern competition in the opening fixture. They have already began preparing their squad for the new season, recently swooping for former Avenue defender Lee Spires.
Saturday 7th July – Hemsworth Miners Welfare (Away)
12:30pm kick-off / The Fitzwilliam Stadium
Mark Bower’s side will visit the 2,000-capacity Fitzwilliam Stadium for Avenue’s second pre-season friendly. Hemsworth are managed by Wayne Benn, a former player and coach at the Horsfall. His Hemsworth side finished 6th in the NCEL Premier Division last season, having earned promotion from the NCEL Division One in 2016.
Thursday 12th July – Mansfield Town (Home)
7:45pm kick-off / Horsfall Stadium
League Two side Mansfield Town will provide the opposition on our return to the Horsfall Stadium. The Stags finished 8th in the fourth tier last season, missing out on the play-offs by three points. The charismatic Steve Evans vacated the Field Mill hotseat in February 2018 and was replaced by former Barnsley, Bury and Swindon Town boss David Flitcroft. Flitcroft is now tasked with preparing for his first full season in charge. He has been active in the early stages of the transfer window, recruiting centre-back Matt Preston from Swindon Town and agreeing terms with former Scunthorpe United midfielder Neal Bishop.
Saturday 14th July – Yorkshire Regiment (Home) – The Donald Bell Trophy
3pm kick-off / Horsfall Stadium
Avenue will battle it out with the Yorkshire Regiment’s footballing representatives for the Donald Bell Trophy. The fixture has been arranged in both celebration and remembrance of Donald Simpson Bell, who became the first footballer to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Before enlisting in the army and joining the West Yorkshire Regiment, Bell played professionally with Avenue after signing for the club in 1912.
Wednesday 18th July – Bradford City (Home) – Tom Banks Trophy
7:30pm kick-off / Horsfall Stadium
Neighbours Bradford City will visit the Horsfall on 18th July, looking for revenge after a humiliating 3-0 defeat in last year’s Tom Banks Trophy match. Former Scotland international Stuart McCall was in charge at Valley Parade during the last meeting between the two sides but was dismissed in February 2018 after a run of six consecutive defeats. He was replaced by former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, but he didn’t renew his deal with the club in May and subsequently departed after just three months. The club subsequently brought in academy coach Michael Collins as Head Coach, whilst appointing former Avenue boss Martin Drury as assistant alongside Greg Abbott. Head of Recruitment Abbott has brought in several players in the early stages of the window, including young defenders Joe Riley and Thomas Isherwood from Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Midfielder Josh Wright has also arrived from Southend United alongside goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell, who joins from Northampton Town. All could feature against Avenue in what is sure to be an entertaining evening for both sets of supporters.
Saturday 21st July – Campion (Away)
12pm kick-off / Scotchman Road
The short trip to Scotchman Road will be Avenue’s final away fixture of pre-season. The Manningham-based side are managed my James Bicknell, who is assisted by Hayden Lobley and Paul Waites. They finished 9th in Division One of the NCEL last season and will be looking to play in front of a sizable Bradford crowd as they host their non-league counterparts.
Wednesday 25th July – Huddersfield Town Academy (Home) – The Yorkshire Rose Cup
7:45pm kick-off / Horsfall Stadium
Premier League side Huddersfield Town will bring a side comprised of players from their under-17 and under-19 teams to the Horsfall on 25th July. The Terriers’ academy has produced a string of players who have made first-team appearances in recent years, including Denmark under-21 international Phillip Billing, who now features regularly in the top flight under David Wagner. Their youth set-up is led by several well-known figures, including former Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Watford and Leeds United defender Leigh Bromby. Several of Town’s academy stars gained experience in non-league last season, spending time on loan with the likes of Liversedge and Brighouse Town. The winner of the game will take home the Yorkshire Rose Cup in a battle between two teams from the county and gives Avenue another shot at summer silverware.
Saturday 28th July – Barrow (Home) – The Dallas UK Cup
3pm kick-off / Horsfall Stadium
Avenue’s final pre-season test comes against Barrow of the National League. The two sides will battle it out for the Dallas UK Cup, which honours the fact that both clubs have owners that reside in Dallas. The Cumbria-based Bluebirds have a new man in the hotseat following the dismissal of former Gillingham boss Adrian Pennock, recently handing Ian Evatt his first permanent role in management. The 36-year-old was in temporary charge of Chesterfield last season, overseeing their relegation to the National League. They narrowly avoided relegation to the second tier of non-league last season, finishing ahead of 21st-placed Woking by a single point. The club will be looking to secure safety much earlier in the season this time round and will provide tough opposition for Mark Bower’s side in their final pre-season friendly.
Information regarding admission prices will be provided closer to the time.
