Director of Football Martin Knight will be appearing on BBC Radio Leeds this Thursday, talking on recruitment.
You can tune in to the West Yorkshire Sport Daily online, on BBC Radio Leeds’ website https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gm7j39, or stay tuned to our socials on Thursday for a link before the show goes live.
We are currently reviewing the position, title, responsibilities, and work load for the vacant Head Coach position of our Men’s first team.
Whilst we review, discuss, and finalise these requirements please feel free to forward any interest directly to our Director of Football Martin Knight at;
Martin.knight@bpafc.com
After long discussions over the last two days and much soul searching by all, we have mutually agreed with Mark and Danny that they will step down from their managerial roles at Bradford (Park Avenue) with immediate effect.
All who have had any involvement with both of these local legends will know what a couple of genuine, dedicated and good people they both are. Over the last 3 seasons they have worked tirelessly within the frame work of the clubs playing budget and ethos of developing young talent to keep us in the National League North. Sadly circumstances last season meant they couldn’t ever really put out their strongest side enough times to avoid relegation. Despite that disappointment they agreed to take on the challenge to try to bounce straight back up, unfortunately results so far this season haven’t been what anyone involved with the club would’ve wished for, and so during the discussions about how to improve results it was agreed to make a change management of the first team.
In the interim, Luca Havern has agreed to step into the head coach role and will be assisted by Ollie Johnson as we work with all of the stake holders, to define what the new person will do, what any structure will look like to match the clubs short, medium and long term goals. Let’s give Luca and OJ all the support we can.
Martin Knight – ‘I hope that everyone associated with the club, wishes them both the very best in the future, it has been my absolute pleasure to learn from, and work with them both. I am sure they will soon be back in the dugout, a place they both truly love to be.’
We can today confirm the loan signing of midfielder Connor Shanks on loan from National League North side Spennymoor Town.
Shanks began his career with Huddersfield Town, playing as a youth, before moving to Bradford City in 2017.
He was named in the League Football Education’s “The 11” List in June 2020.
Connor turned professional in July 2020, signing a one-year contract with Bradford City.
He made his senior debut for City in the EFL Trophy, on 8th September 2020, in a 0-0 draw (4-1 loss pens) against Doncaster in the group stages.
He left Bradford City in June 2021 at the end of his contract, returning to Huddersfield Town in August 2021.
Shanks impressed the Nuneaton Borough management when he scored a goal and grabbed an assist in Huddersfield’s u21s Cup game vs Birmingham City, earning himself a loan move in September 2021. (Watch the goal here!)
He won the September 2021 Player of the Month award for his goals for Nuneaton in both the Birmingham Senior Cup and Southern League Central Premier Division, winning 49% of the vote.
On 19th January 2023, Shanks’ contract at Huddersfield was terminated, and he joined Spennymoor Town two days later.
He made 20 appearances for the Moors in the 22/23 season, scoring on his debut against Darlington (Watch here) and a last-gasp equaliser against Scarborough Athletic (Watch here) which earned him an extended stay in the Summer of 2023. He followed that up this season, making 6 appearances as of 2nd November.
Shanks is available for selection in Saturday’s match vs Basford United, stay tuned to our Twitter @BPAFCOfficial for the latest updates!
The deal is subject to the relevant clearances.
Bradford (Park Avenue) are proud to announce that our EV2 Home and Away shirts are now available in store at AN-X.
AN-X is based in Bradford City Centre, and is an independent boutique synonymous with casual and urban-wear clothing and shoes.
On the new partnership, Club Secretary Calum Cullen said;
“I am absolutely thrilled to be able to announce our deal with AN-X
“AN-X, is a hugely popular store, and to have our product for sale in there is unbelievable.
“We have been wanting to increase our exposure in the city centre, and this deal allows us to do that, whilst also giving our loyal supporters a second outlet to get their shirts from.
Given the high standards and quality of clothing in AN-X, it’s also a testament to the quality that EV2 are producing for us.’
To celebrate this new deal, we have also provided AN-X with some of our Multi Match cards, which guarantee entry into the Horsfall for just £8 at our Northern Premier League games.
Adults/Concessions have been reduced to £5, whilst family of four tickets (must include one U16) have also been lowered to £10. Students and U16s entry is £3.
#GreenArmy #Bradford
Unfortunately due to absence, todays match will not have live commentary from the Avenue team.
Our visitors Marske United are running their own commentary, which you can listen to on their twitter account below.
We can today confirm the loan signing of Bradford City goalkeeper Heath Richardson.
Heath came through the ranks of Bradford City’s academy, and signed his first professional deal last season, training alongside Harry Lewis and Colin Doyle.
His deal was extended in June 2023, and Richardson featured in Bradford City’s XI at our annual pre-season Tom Banks memorial game.
Richardson had a spell on loan at then Northern Premier League side Buxton in the 21/22 season, and also made the bench for City’s FA Cup win at York City that season, as well as the subsequent 2nd round defeat to Morecambe.
On the deal, Goalkeeper Coach Danny King said:
“We have been aware of interest in George for a short while, and as such have been scouting goal keepers to come in.
“Heath played against us in preseason and did really well, so naturally we kept an eye on his progression and after watching games he’s played in we feel he would be the ideal keeper for us. I am looking forward to working with him in his time here.”
Heath Richardson is available immediately for selection in our upcoming Northern Premier League match vs Marske United, on Saturday 28th October. 3pm KO. Stay tuned to our socials for the latest updates
🆚 Marske United
🕒 3PM KO, Sat 28th Oct
🎫 £13 | £10 | £5 | £3 | U12S FREE!
🏟 Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
@PitchingIn_ @NorthernPremLge
#UTA #GreenArmy #Bradford #Avenue
We can today confirm the transfer of Avenue #1 George Sykes-Kenworthy to Vanarama National League side York City for an undisclosed fee.
George has made 94 consecutive appearances in goal for the First Team, and has shown a high level of ability over the last two seasons, earning himself a place in full time football.
While donning the Green Army’s #1 Shirt, Sykes-Kenworthy kept 28 clean sheets in all competitions.
On the transfer, First Team Manager Mark Bower said;
“George has been superb for us over the past two years and whilst we are disappointed to lose him, there is no doubt that he deserves the chance to move back in to full time football having shown an outstanding level of consistency and maturity whilst with us.”
“I am pleased that we have been able to help another young player get back into the professional game and we wish him the best of luck.”
“We have secured a transfer fee for George and that, along with his wages will be available to us to invest in strengthening the team. “
George first joined the Club in December 2021 from Boston United, and in his first season (21/22) made 26 appearances in all competitions, keeping 11 clean sheets, for which he won both the Player of the Year award, and Player’s Player of the Year award at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Sykes-Kenworthy later agreed terms to stay at the Horsfall in June 2022, until the end of the 2023/24 season, and continued to show consistency and calm on the pitch, making 46 appearances and keeping another 12 clean sheets.
All of us at Bradford (Park Avenue) wish George the best of luck on his move into full-time football.
