Jack Pearce has been appointed as the new Chairman of The National League.

A vice-chair of The FA since 2015 and divisional representative on the FA Council since 2001, Pearce has served on The National League Board for more than a decade.

Pearce replaces outgoing Brian Barwick, who officially stood down from the position following Sunday’s Promotion Final.

Pearce was formerly a player and manager of Bognor Regis Town and continues to serve the club as its general manager and vice-chairman. He also represents Sussex County FA and is a trustee of the Football Foundation.

“I’m honoured to accept this opportunity to lead the Board and National League team in addressing the challenges the League and its Member Clubs have faced over the last 18 months,” Pearce commented.

“I firmly believe that by working together with our clubs we can successfully move the League forward”.

A National League spokesperson said, “After a thorough recruitment process, which included national advertising for the position and a two-stage interview process with our shortlisted candidates, we are delighted to appoint Jack Pearce as Chairman of The National League.

“Jack’s vast knowledge and number of prestigious roles within football, in addition to a strong relationship with Member Clubs, made him the outstanding candidate”.

General manager of The National League Mark Ives said, “Having had the privilege of working with Jack, not only in the six months I’ve been with the League, but in my previous nineteen years at the Football Association, it is without doubt an excellent appointment.

“Jack brings to the role a wealth of contacts and experience at this level of the game.

“It is important there is a link between the Board and the General Manager, interweaving the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of the Competition. For me, the relationship I have with Jack will be a huge benefit to The National League”.

It is with a very heavy heart that the club are devastated to announce that Club stalwart Colin Barker has passed away peacefully overnight. Colin was a great person first and foremost, a fantastic football man, and an unbelievable servant to our football club.

Gareth Roberts

‘Colin was the glue that held the club together through some difficult and turbulent times.

Without him, the football club would not exist and because of that, we owe him a great debt of gratitude, that sadly now we wont be able to deliver in person.

I know that Colin would have wanted the club to keep pushing forward, and we are determined to do so as we honour his memory.’

Mark Bower ‘We are all absolutely devastated by the news that Colin has died. Over a majority of the past five years I have worked with Colin and consider him a friend as well as a colleague. His knowledge and professionalism have been invaluable to myself and Danny during our time at the club and we will miss him greatly.

The way Colin worked for the club, the amount of time and expertise he put in to his various roles, predominantly as club secretary and as a scout, made it hard for me to believe he was working voluntarily. He was Bradford Park Avenue to the core. I spoke with him only hours before he passed away and his concerns were not for himself, but for his wife Sue and he also wanted to make sure I had his scouting reports on players we have been looking at over the Summer.  He was a football man, but more importantly, a really great person.’

Everybody at Bradford (Park Avenue) and Horsfall Community Stadium’s thoughts are with Colin’s wife Sue and his friends and family at this sad time.

We are delighted to announce the final 2 games of our pre season schedule. On the 13 July, Mark and the team will face Bradford City in the return of the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy. It will be the first time for a few years the fixture has taken place and will be City’s first pre season game, so expect a good squad turning up!

Then our final friendly sees The Avenue face off to Scarborough on Friday 6th August. Scarborough will pose a tough test under new management in the curtain closing friendly.

Both of these games will KO at 19:45 at the Horsfall and admission details will be released ASAP

#ToTheAvenue 2021/22 season tickets will go on sale from 09.00 TODAY, as we prepare to welcome supporters back to the Horsfall Stadium for the first time in over a year!

#ToTheAvenue 2021/22 SEASON-TICKET PRICES:

Adult £140.00

Concession (65+): £125.00

Student (Proof Will Be Required): £45.00

Youth (12-16): £30.00

Junior (11-): £10.00

Our hospitality upgrade is once again available, priced at £150.00 for the upgrade, whilst if you are driving to the ground, you can have a parking season ticket for just £30.00

Football Operations Manager, Calum Cullen said: “It feels incredible to be able to launch our 2021/22 season ticket initiative. We have waited a long time to be able to welcome back fans to the Horsfall and today marks a very important milestone in that journey.

“I am looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere here with a crowd in for the first time, if the support the club has had over the last year is anything to go by, next season will be electric!”

To purchase your #ToTheAvenue 2021/22 season ticket – please CLICK HERE, or visit the Club Shop at the Horsfall Stadium. The shop will be open for season tickets Mon-Thurs 9-4.

For those fans who rolled-over their season ticket last season, please e-mail calum.cullen@bpafc.com so we can arrange for a new one to be ordered for you 

The Club are delighted to announce the capture of Rob Guilfoyle.

Rob, who was at league rivals York City last year, has put pen to paper on a deal for this upcoming season.

We of course know about Rob having scored against us last season for York, and we are looking forward to him doing the business for us next term!

The new signing had this to say – ‘I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to sign for Bradford Park Avenue and start playing regular football. After speaking to Martin and Mark I felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I can’t wait to get back and meet the rest of the team again. Hopefully we can push on and have a successful season, and I will try to make the biggest impact I can’

Manager Mark Bower was also equally happy – ‘We’re really excited by the signing of Rob. He’s a player with great potential and we think he will suit the way we play and our 3G surface. 
His number one priority was to join a club where he would get the opportunity to play regularly and score goals. We are delighted he sees the Avenue as the place to fulfil that ambition.’

#UTA

We are delighted to announce that Everton U23’s side will be one of our home friendlies this year!

The premier league club’s youngsters will be at the Horsfall on the 21st July with kick off at 19:45

The club are excited to announce that defender Matty Downing has committed to the club for another year. Showing his versatility, Matty played in numerous positions last season, and we are delighted to have him back. Matty becomes our 8th signing of the summer so far.

Mark Bower – Matty was very unfortunate not to play more last season, but we saw enough from him to want him back with us again next season.
His attitude and fitness levels were exceptional throughout the season and he now has the opportunity to cement a place in the team.

Matty Downing – I am buzzing to sign on at BPA for next season looking forward to getting back in and working with the management and the players! Hopefully we can have another successful year and I can kick on this season and get some more games under my belt and keep learning from the experienced players in the group.

We are delighted to announce that Mitch Lund will be back with Bradford (Park Avenue)  for the 2021/22 Season.

Lundy was a mainstay of the side until an awful injury earlier in the season. His performances helped make the decision to take up the option of another year an easy one for Mark and his management team.

Mark Bower had this to say – Lundy is another one of our key players to commit for next season. Up until injury ended his season he’d performed consistently well and struck up good partnerships with Mark Ross and Luca Havern. He’s now fit and ready for pre season and we look forward to welcoming him back. 

Mitch was equally as enthused –  I am delighted that BPA have taken  up my option for another year at this club and I cant wait to start preseason again after a hard last season due to Covid-19 and a injury to my face which kept me out for a while but I have fully recovered and I’ll be hitting the floor running, looking forward to see what the club can do next season with a great coaching staff and some very talented players”

We are delighted to announce our first 2 pre season friendlies!

Mark Bower, Danny Boshell and the team will travel to Ewen Fields to take on Hyde United FC on Saturday July 24^th.

Then, on Tuesday 3^rd August, Altrincham FC will make their way to the Horsfall in what will be a stern test for the Avenue

Stay tuned for more announcements!

#UTA

We are delighted to announce the signing of Mark Ross for another season at the Horsfall. ‘Rossy’ was an integral part of the squad last year, with his experience helping the younger generation of players, and his performances helping the team gain some wonderful results

Mark Ross – I am super happy to sign for Bradford (Park Avenue) again. We have lots of unfinished business after not only the weird covid season we just had but even the one before! I think everyone knows how brilliant the gaffa and the staff are and I want this season to be a special one which I know it can be!

Mark Bower – We’ve been delighted that so many players have shown a desire to stay at the club and continue the progress we made last season. Rossy has been a key player for us for several seasons, so him staying with the club is a big boost. He is a model professional, consistent in his performances and another top character to have in our dressing room.

#UTA