Versatile defender Danny East has completed a move to the club from Yorkshire rivals Guiseley.

The 26-year-old becomes the second new addition of the summer, following the acquisition of Curzon Ashton midfielder Ben McKenna.

Although primarily a full-back, East can operate in central midfield and has proved an asset in both positions throughout his career.

He came through the ranks at Hull City but was released after just two senior outings for the Tigers. The defender did, however, play regular first-team football during a loan spell with Northampton Town in 2012. Portsmouth moved to secure his services in 2013, but injuries stunted his progress at Fratton Park and he made just 19 appearances in two seasons.

He left Portsmouth at the end of the 2014/15 season after spending time on loan at Aldershot Town and sealed a move to Grimsby Town of the National League in June 2015. The move to the Mariners allowed him to rediscover form and he played a crucial role in helping the club gain promotion to League Two via the play-offs.

Grimsby didn’t hand East a new deal after the Wembley win, but Guiseley swooped to tie him to a deal at Nethermoor in July 2016. Injuries blighted his two-year stint with the Lions, but the Yorkshire-born battler is keen to put the troubles behind him after signing for Avenue:

“I’m really pleased to have joined the club, I’ve struggled with injuries recently but I’m keen to put those problems behind me and really get going again. I want to start enjoying my football again and I think this is the place for me to do that. I’ve seen how the team play and I think the style will suit me, so I can’t wait to get started.”

He becomes the eleventh confirmed member of Avenue’s 2018/19 squad.

Want to see East 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 East 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

Goalkeeper Ed Hall has left the club to join Northern Premier League side Farsley Celtic.

The 24-year-old was a popular figure at Avenue but found first-team opportunites limited due to the form of first-choice Steven Drench.

The Yorkshire international moves to Throstle Nest with the best wishes of everyone involved with the club.

Good luck, Ed!

Avenue have completed the signing of midfielder Ben McKenna from league rivals Curzon Ashton.

The 25-year-old returns for his second spell at the Horsfall Stadium, having spent three months with the club during the 2016/17 season. Alex Meechan, who is now the manager of the club’s academy, brought McKenna to Bradford from Stalybridge Celtic in July 2016. However, after 21 appearances, Southport swooped to take him to Merseyside.

He began his career with hometown club Burnley before being released in 2009, when he made the switch to Carlisle United. After starring for the club’s youth and reserve sides, McKenna was promoted to the first-team at Brunton Park and made two senior appearances. During his time with Carlisle, he earned call-ups to the Northern Ireland under-17, under-18 and under-19 sides.

After a loan spell with Annan Athletic in Scotland, he was released by Carlisle and dropped into non-league with Workington Town. His scintillating form with the Reds saw him make the switch to Stalybridge Celtic, where he made 76 appearances before linking up with the management team of Meechan and Matt Hill in Bradford. He also spent time on loan with Ashton United during his spell with the Celts.

He made 21 appearances for Southport after leaving West Yorkshire, before signing for Stockport County. Curzon Ashton manager John Flanagan then moved to secure McKenna’s services, snapping him up from their National League North rivals in February 2018.

McKenna is a cultured midfielder who will bring width and energy to Mark Bower’s side, as well as an injection of pace. Primarily a right-sided midfielder, he will help fill the void left by Wayne Brooksby’s departure and will be available for Avenue’s first pre-season friendly against Silsden on 5^th July.

He becomes the tenth confirmed member of the 2018/19 squad.

Want to see McKenna 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

Ben McKenna 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

Utility man Adam Nowakowski has agreed a deal to enter his third season with the club.

The versatile battler is as towering as he is popular with the Avenue faithful and is a player that Mark Bower was keen to tie down. Although primarily a central midfielder, he can operate anywhere across the backline as well as in forward roles. His tough tackling makes him an asset in defence but his combative style of play and imposing physical presence enables him to dominate midfields.

Nowakowski joined in October 2016 on an initial loan from league rivals Darlington but soon made the move permanent after impressing at the Horsfall Stadium. Prior to linking up with the Quakers, he plied his trade with Harrogate Town and made over 150 appearances for our Yorkshire counterparts. Injury ruled him out of the play-offs last season, but his vast experience of the National League North will prove vital as Avenue look to defy the odds once again.

The fan favourite had a message for Avenue supporters ahead of the new campaign after putting pen to paper on a new deal:

“I’m really pleased to have signed on for another year with the mighty BPA! I’m really looking forward to pre-season and it’s great that Mark (Bower) and Danny (Boshell) have managed to keep a lot of the squad together, it means that we can quickly pick up from where we left off last season.

The camaraderie with the lads is the best I’ve seen and the whole squad can’t wait to get back together next week. Green and white army – let’s be Avenue!”

Want to see Nova 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

Adam Nowakowski 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

Manager Mark Bower has moved to retain the services of midfield general Nicky Wroe for another season.

The vastly-experienced Wroe served as captain last season, making a remarkable 48 appearances in all competitions. He joined in July 2016 from Yorkshire neighbours FC Halifax Town, bringing a wealth of experience from his time in league football to the Horsfall Stadium.

A promotion-winner from non-league’s top flight with Torquay United, Wroe has also represented Barnsley, York City, Preston North End, Shrewsbury Town and Notts County among others.

His energy levels, consistency and ability to retain possession in tight areas made him a favourite of Avenue’s management team last season, and the midfielder is likely to play a key role again next season.

Wroe is the eighth confirmed member of the 2018/19 squad, joining Steven Drench, Mark Ross, Shane Killock, Luca Havern, Nicky Clee, Oli Johnson and Adam Boyes in committing his future to Avenue. The club’s management team of Mark Bower and Danny Boshell have also agreed new deals in a promising start to the summer.

Want to see Wroe 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

Nicky Wroe 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

Avenue will pay a visit to local neighbours Campion on Saturday 21st July in a pre-season friendly.

The visit to Scotchman Road will be the club’s final away friendly of the summer and will be followed by home clashes with Huddersfield Town’s academy and Barrow.

The Manningham-based outfit finished 9th in the NCEL Division One last season and will provide another stern test as Mark Bower looks to prepare his squad for the 2018/19 National League North campaign.

The action will kick-off at 12pm and further details will be released closer to the time, as is the case with all pre-season fixtures.

You can now view our complete pre-season fixture list below…

05/07 – Silsden vs. (Bradford Park Avenue)
Cobbydale Construction Stadium
7:45pm kick-off

07/07 – Hemsworth Miners Welfare vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)
The Fitzwilliam Stadium
12:30pm kick-off

12/07 – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Mansfield Town
Horsfall Stadium
Kick-off TBC

14/07 – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Yorkshire Regiment (Donald Bell Trophy)
Horsfall Stadium
3pm kick-off

18/07 – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Bradford City (Tom Banks Trophy)
Horsfall Stadium
7:30pm kick-off

21/07 – Campion vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)
Scotchman Road
12pm kick-off

25/07 – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Huddersfield Town Academy
Horsfall Stadium
7:45pm kick-off

28/07 – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Barrow
Horsfall Stadium
3pm kick-off

After agreeing a new deal with the club, Avenue defender Shane Killock claimed that he “jumped at the chance to stay” when the opportunity was handed to him by manager Mark Bower.

He spent the summer of 2017 on the sidelines, leading to a loan spell at Boston United in the early stages of the season to help the former Scarborough Athletic man regain match fitness.

After completing his recovery, the robust centre-back made 27 appearances in all competitions for Avenue and was a key figure in the side’s late burst into the play-offs.

The 29-year-old told us that he didn’t hesitate to commit to another season at the Horsfall Stadium:

“The new deal is a huge reflection on how much I’ve enjoyed my time with the club so far. I really enjoyed last season and jumped at the chance to stay. When the manager told me that he wanted me for another year, it was an easy decision for me. The success we had last season was massive for the club and was fantastic to be a part of.

I’m really looking forward to the new campaign. It’s nice to have a few weeks off at the end of the season but after a few weeks, you find yourself missing it. I’ve missed going to training, being around the lads and playing matches. I’ll be keeping myself ticking over during the off-season so that I can hopefully hit the ground running when we get back.

I’d like to thank the club and the management team of Mark, Danny and Ryan for putting their faith in me and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the team next season.”

Huddersfield Town’s academy will now visit the Horsfall Stadium on Wednesday 25th July after the fixture was re-arranged.

The friendly had previously been scheduled for Tuesday 24th July but will now take place on the Wednesday evening with a 7:45pm kick-off.

Admission details will be released closer to the time, as is the case with all pre-season friendlies.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.