We are pleased to announce the signing of young striker Will Longbottom. The 22 year old forward joins after a spell at Irish side Waterford having previously been on loan at National League North rivals Kidderminster and Halesowen Town of the Southern League Central division from Doncaster Rovers where he spent his formative years. The left footed forward joins us just before the busy Christmas period after several weeks of training with the first team. He will go straight into the squad available for selection for our Boxing Day fixture against full time team York City.

Will Longbottom –

‘I’m really looking forward to the Christmas period, its the busiest time of the season. I’m wanting to make an impact and show the fans what I’m capable of. I’ve played in this league  before when I was younger so know what it’s about. The staff & the players have been great since I’ve been here and I’m looking forward to the challenge.’

Mark Bower –

‘We’re delighted to have Will onboard. He has shown good quality whilst training with us and being naturally left footed gives us options coming into another busy period. He has experience of Conference North football and an excellent pedigree having spent a long time at Doncaster. We hope the move benefits Will and us as a club.’

You can see if Will makes the match day squad for the game and his debut if he does on our live stream of the game.

Merry Christmas

#UTA

With the hectic Christmas period shortly upon us and suspensions and injuries challenging our committed but small squad Mark Bower has moved to secure the services of local lad Regan Booty. 22 year old Booty who hails from Huddersfield and came through the Huddersfield Town academy. Booty made 42 appearances for Aldershot whilst on loan which won him his permanent transfer to Notts County. He made 24 appearances for the magpies as they secured a playoff place in last years shortened season, scoring 2 goals along the way. The cultured left footed central midfielder enjoys dictating play, by getting on the ball and creating chances for his team mates. Regan will go straight into the squad for tomorrows National League North home game against inform Leamington. You can see Regan live on our streaming platform.

Regan Booty –

‘I’m glad to get everything sorted in time for the game tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to getting that match day buzz back and to be back playing games. I already know a few of the boys, so I’m looking forward to meet the rest of the squad and get going’

Ryan Toulson –

‘Regan is a player we have kept an eye on over the last few years. Myself and Mark watched him at Huddersfield Town on numerous occasions and we tried to bring him in previously so we know the qualities that Regan can bring to the team. He’s an aspiring young player who wants to progress in the game, so hopefully his hunger and quality will be beneficial all round’

The club would also like to confirm that Ethan Henderson and Ion Ibrain have both left the club and we would like to wish them both well with their footballing careers.

#UTA

We can confirm that our Manager Mark Bower will be absent from the dugout and training for a short period of time whilst he self isolates after coming into contact with positively tested COVID19 sufferer. The exact period is yet to be determined as we await the results of a test on Mark himself. It will definitely cover this weekend’s home match vs Leamington and our fixture next Tuesday at Chester in the FA Trophy.

Mark will continue to work during isolation, picking the team and coordinating training with his able lieutenants Danny and Ryan. Danny and Mark will be in touch during match day via carrier pigeon as Mark watches the game via our live video stream.

#UTA

We are happy to announce the live streaming details for this Saturday’s National League North fixture vs Leamington.
Follow the link below to access the game, we go live from 14:30 on the day, where you can expect;

• Mike ‘The Game Caller’ Gledhill on fine form with backing from Josh
• Interviews
• Highlights

And one or two new features!

All this will cost you just £5.00. If you are a first-time user of the system, you will need to set up a free account.
Season ticket holders will of course get the game free of charge!

The streaming link is https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/dlRKak5R

Stay safe, and Up The Avenue!

Yesterday our very own Alex Hurst made his league debut for Port Vale, coming off the bench half way through the second half in the EFL 2 league game against Ex Premier League outfit Bolton Wanderers. 

It marks the fruition of a long journey for Hurst after his two year stint with the Avenue. Initially released by league side Crewe Alexander, the skilful Hurst found his way to The Avenue via Matlock Town. An impressive debut season saw a transfer to Port Vale with the attacking midfielder being loaned back to Bradford for a second season. 

We would like to congratulate Alex on his league debut and wish him many more appearances in the Football League. 

Martin Knight – 

‘Alex has done an amazing job to get his first appearance in the football league. He is the epitome of hard work, talent and humility. He joined us after the disappointment of his release and continued to work hard and learn from Mark and Danny during training and the likes of Clee, Johnson and Rowe in matches. Lots of young players don’t get this type of opportunity to learn like this or get the sound advice to maybe drop down a league or two to play regular men’s football. This is exactly the type of success story that a few of our other talented young squad should look at and believe that they can achieve exactly the same with us.’ 

#UTA

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel tonight’s friendly versus Ossett United due to the snowfall we have had overnight and into today making the pitch unplayable.

We will still be making a donation to the Sandale trust, details of which will be announced in the near future.

Please accept our apologies for this, everyone at the club had been looking forward to playing the game, unfortunately the weather ultimately beat us.

We are delighted to share with you the streaming details for this Friday’s Charity friendly versus near neighbours Ossett United.

The stream is free of charge, and is available on the link below.

If you can, please donate to the just giving fundraiser we are running on behalf of the Sandale trust, the link for donating can also be found below. A massive thank you to those who already have, and remember the club will match the donations, so every £1 donated buys £2 of food for the hungry this Christmas. You really will make a difference

On the night, we have the main man, Mick ‘The Game Caller’ Gledhill on commentary duties, alongside both Josh and Sam our excellent co-commentators, and who knows, maybe just one or two surprises for you!
KO is at 7:30, we will be live from 7:10 on the night

Stream link:  https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/N1pNOGxF

Donation link:  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradford-parkavenue-sandaletrust?utm_3xEvv8eNR

We are delighted to announce that we have arranged a friendly game with our near neighbours Ossett United this Friday evening. With both clubs not having a game this weekend and with players from both squads needing some meaningful playing time Mark Bower and Wayne Benn have agreed to play each other. We would like to thank Ossett United for agreeing to the fixture and that we can use it to support a well deserving local charity.

With the much in demand Horsfall Stadium facility in high demand a game on Saturday was unachievable and so a 7.30pm kick off on Friday the 4th of December has been agreed.

The club have taken this game as an opportunity to support the Sandale Community Trust which is working with Bradford Council to provide much needed food parcels in these difficult and testing times. Working with Friends of Harold Park, which has a food bank collection point in the bowls hut in the Park on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1pm and 2pm, Sandale prepare and distribute food to homes around the Bradford area. We would encourage you to drop by and make a donation at any of these times over the next few weeks in the run up to Christmas.

In addition the club will be live streaming the game for free. All we ask is that you make any donation you can to our JustGiving fund which will be donated directly to Sandale Community Trust. The club have agreed to match any donations we raise on the night, so every single pound you donate will result in £2 of food being purchased for those most in need in the local Bradford community

You will able to enjoy Mick the game caller and maybe a co-commentator or 2 describe the action, as your favourites play out a much needed game on our fantastic 3G pitch.

You can make a donation at 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradford-parkavenue-sandaletrust?utm_3xEvv8eNR

Streaming details will be published nearer the time.