Today our captain Luca Havern has put pen to paper on a new one year contract at the Horsfall. After re-joining Mark’s squad for the unusual 20/21 season, Luca was named as club captain to help lead our exciting squad of youth and experience. This experience and know how is vital part of the clubs strategy of remaining competitive and allowing young players to develop, improve and get into full time football. The evidence of this being seen this year as Lewis Knight secured a permanent move to Notts County.

Luca Havern –

‘I’m really happy to commit to BPA for another season. Before this season was null and voided we were improving each week and our young players were growing in confidence so I hope we can build on that momentum come August. On a personal note I’d like to thank the management team and the club for their continued support and I am looking forward to hopefully welcoming some fans back to the Horsfall this summer.’

Mark Bower –

‘We are really pleased that Luca has committed himself to us for another season. He forms part of our core of experienced players who play a vital role in strong performances on the pitch whilst helping our younger players with their progression. Luca will continue to captain the team and we look forward to welcoming him back for pre-season in a few months time.’

With pre-season scheduled to start on the 26^th of June keep your eyes peeled for more green and white army signings.

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In what can only be described as an incredulous and insensitive decision, the National League today have given the club notice that it has been found guilty of not playing three games and that a fine for each breach is to be applied of £2000.
The club had offered a clear written explanation on each occasion and submitted a defence based on the financial circumstances surrounding the matches for the disciplinary hearing.
We will be appealing this travesty of a decision with the FA and are taking legal advice from our lawyers about further action relating to the lies told to the club by the National League at the start of the season relating to grant funding. 

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce that Highbury Homes will be continuing their fantastic support of our club by again sponsoring the back of our shorts for the 2021/22 Season. This will be Highbury’s second year with us here at Bradford (Park Avenue) and everyone at the club are delighted to welcome them back.

Highbury Homes’ Managing Director Gareth Jones had this to say on the agreement;

‘We are delighted to confirm that Highbury Homes will continue to sponsor Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC for the 2nd year running.

As a local employer we recognise the value in supporting our small communities by providing much needed funding and support and would like to wish Bradford (Park Avenue) a very successful season!’

Football Operations Manager Calum Cullen said;

‘This is fantastic news for the football club, and having spoken with Gareth, it was clear that he has a real passion for Bradford (Park Avenue) and was keen to keep supporting us. Getting this deal over the line is another piece in the jigsaw ready for what will hopefully be a very good season. I look forward to being able to have Highbury down at the ground as and when we are allowed to.’

You can find out more information about Highbury Homes here: https://www.highburyhomes.co.uk

For more Avenue content, follow this link: https://www.flowcode.com/page/bpafc

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Great news for all of us missing our football, the National League have confirmed that the new season 21/22 will commence on August the 14^th for the National League North and South and one week later for the National League.

Mark and Danny are now busy planning an extended pre-season so we get a chance to blow of the cobwebs after not playing or training since January. The management team are working on the shape and make up of next years squad and we look forward to be able to make some announcements around this very soon.

Hard work is already going on at the ground by our fantastic supporters, ably aided by West Bowling and generously funded by the BPAFC Development Fund, many thanks. The Stadium is looking great and the new memorial garden will be a big draw come the summer when we hope we will be able to safely welcome supporters back into the ground.

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The National League is delighted to confirm Vanarama will continue as title sponsors through to the 2024/25 season.

The three-year extension outlines the long-term commitment of Vanarama to The National League, Member Clubs and supporters with the new deal taking the working relationship to eleven years.

Since taking over title sponsorship of The National League in 2014, Vanarama has actively raised the profile of the League through innovative campaigns such as MANarama which helped raise over £200k for Prostate Cancer UK.

During the Covid pandemic Vanarama set up a COVID support helpline for National League clubs and local businesses applying for any of the Government financial schemes.

BT Sport will continue to provide excellent exposure for the Vanarama National League over the next three seasons.

Chairman of The National League, Brian Barwick OBE, said: “We are delighted to continue our title sponsorship with Vanarama and thank them for their steadfast support during the past twelve months.  

“This enhanced arrangement will take our partnership up to eleven years. That speaks volumes about the confidence we both have in each other.  

“The National League has found a great organisation to work with and we are pleased Vanarama find the relationship to be equally rewarding.   

“We all look forward to four more years growing our unique partnership”.

The deal coincides with the recent launch of Vanarama’s new brand campaign which encourages its customers to find their new lease life.

“We’re delighted to continue our relationship with The National League,” said Andy Alderson- CEO of Vanarama.

“We have a great affinity for this level of football as it really helped us accelerate the growth of our commercial van leasing business back in 2014. Now in 2021 having just launched our new brand campaign we’re breathing a new lease of life into our sector.

“As we undergo huge growth across our personal car leasing business, we wanted to show our commitment to do the same for grassroots football.

“The clubs and communities at this level have gone through very hard times, we hope that our investment will offer some stability and hope as we all work through the covid pandemic together.”

We can confirm that today Lewis Knight has completed his transfer from Bradford to Notts County football club in the national league. Knight becomes the latest young player to move up the leagues after developing and learning their trade at The Horsfall. He follows Alex Hurst (Port Vale) and Jake Beasley (Rochdale) who came down to the National League North and played along side experienced players such as Nicky Clee, Luca Havern and Mark Ross under the nurturing eyes of Mark and Danny.

Lewis completed his medical last Friday and he and the clubs agreed terms over the weekend, joining on an initial 2 and half year deal.

Lewis Knight –

‘I am absolutely made up to have got back into full time football, huge thank you to Mark, Danny and Ryan for believing in me and giving the opportunity 3 years ago when I came back from the States. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club, the lads have been amazing such a great dressing room, and finally a big thank you to the incredible fans. I am only sad that I didn’t get to play in front of them live this year and to say good bye in person’

Mark Bower –

‘I am really pleased that Lewis will be able to progress his career as a professional footballer at a club as large as Notts County. Along with all the staff, we are immensely proud of the role Bradford (Park Avenue)has played in helping Lewis achieve this.

Having worked with him for the majority of the last three years, it has been great to see his improvement and how hard he has worked to compliment his natural abilities.

Whilst we are disappointed that we are losing Lewis, we are already working on bringing in more young players of Lewis’ type, with quality and hunger to be a success in the game.

Lewis leaves with our best wishes and I’m sure all Avenue fans will be keeping an eye on his progress.’

Martin Knight –

‘with Lewis’s incredible season and his  contract running down in the summer, we are pleased to have realised some nominal value in the transfer fee and good future considerations. Lewis has shown the benefit of playing men’s football over the last three years and has after much effort from himself and guidance from Mark and Danny got himself a move back into full time football. We wish him well and will monitor his progress with interest 😊’

We can confirm that Regan Booty has joined divisional rivalries Chorley. The club would like to thank Regan for his efforts since joining the club on the 11^th of December. We wish Regan well with getting his career back on track after injury whilst at Notts County and hope to see his undoubted talent being watched by fans in stadiums next season.

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National League Statement | Outcome of Written Resolutions

Earlier this month, The National League distributed four resolutions for Member Clubs to consider the outcome of the 2020/21 season.

Further information can be found here.

With relevant voting thresholds now met for each resolution, The National League can confirm the outcome of this process as follows.

Resolution One

In summary: Step One and Two to be split in deciding the outcome of 2020/21 Playing Season. As a Special Resolution, a voting percentage of 75% or higher was required to pass.

National League: (for) 21- (against) 0

National League North: 16-6

National League South: 9-12

Result: Passed

As a result, Resolution Four is disregarded.

Resolution Two (National League only)

In summary: The National League 2020/21 Playing Season (Step One) to be declared null and void. A minimum 51% majority was required for Resolution Two to pass.   

National League: 7-13

Result: Not Passed

As a result, the National League National Division will continue to operate for the remainder of the season

Resolution Three (National League North and South only)

In summary: The National League North and South 2020/21 Playing Season (Step Two) to be declared null and void. A minimum 51% majority was required for Resolution Three to pass.  

National League North: 15-7

National League South: 9-12

Result: Passed

Resolution is passed and consequently the season at Step Two is null and void.

Note – There are 2 votes from the National Division that have not yet been cast, however, the outcome of the resolutions cannot be affected by these votes, however they are cast.

With the voting procedure now closed, National League North and South fixtures will cease with immediate effect.

The Board will take the resolution outcome to The Football Association for ratification. This will include dialogue regarding promotion and relegation.

After discussions with Hereford about this weekends game and if it will be played, we can announce that the game will be postponed. Hereford were open and honest about their preference to play the game, whilst they wait for the outcome of the vote to determine whether or not the season will continue, and to send a team to the Horsfall, we fully respect and understand their position.

We have chosen for the same reasons we did not play against Farsley and Blythe, not to fulfil the scheduled fixture. This will mean that we will yet again be sited by the National League for breach of rule 8.39. We have written to the NL explaining the financial reasons we are unable to do this without first knowing if our grant application has been accepted in full or not. The directors, players, Mark and Danny desperately want to play the remainder of the season, but not if that means putting the long term future of the club at risk.

On a positive note we have already held our first recruitment meeting with Mark, Danny and Ryan to discuss the squad for season 21/22 where we fully expect to be competing once again in the National League North.

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Following a meeting between clubs in the National League North and South we wish to make the following statement: 

All undersigned clubs support the re-commencement of all viable fixtures until the results of the resolution are known, but only when both clubs participating in a fixture are in agreement and when there is a fully funded COVID testing regime in place, as both the NL and it’s member clubs have a duty of care for the safety of players and staff..

Clubs who are unable to commit to fixtures should continue to have their season held in suspense by the league and do so without fear of sanctions.

Furthermore, we have agreed to submit our votes on the resolutions to the National League as soon as reasonably practical and implore all clubs at Steps 1 & 2 to do likewise.

Any delay or abstaining from voting would be damaging for the clubs in the most urgent situations.

We must finish the season with all 66 clubs in existence.

AFC Telford FC – Andy Pryce

Bath City FC – Paul Williams

Blyth Spartans FC – Tony Platten

Bradford Park Avenue FC – Martin Knight

Chippenham Town FC – Neil Blackmore

Curzon Ashton FC – Rob Hurst

Darlington FC – David Johnston

Dulwich Hamlet FC – Ben Clasper

Farsley Celtic FC – Joshua Greaves

Gateshead FC – Neil Pinkerton

Guiseley AFC – Gary Douglas

Kettering Town FC – Ritchie Jeune

Southport FC – Ian Kyle

Slough Town FC – Kay Lathey

Spennymoor Town FC – Tony Wilson