The draw for the 2nd preliminary round of the FA cup sees Bradford (Park Avenue) drawn at home against National League North rivals Spennymoor…………more to follow
Joint Statement From National League North Clubs Regarding The Start Of The 2020/21 Season
A meeting was held by Zoom at 17.30 on Wednesday 23rd September 2020 with representation from the majority of member clubs from the National League North to discuss the financial implications of the government’s announcement that supporters will not be allowed entry in to stadiums from the 1st October 2020.
During the meeting a set of anonymous polls were conducted with the most important question being asked of clubs;
Given the simple option, no caveats attached, of starting the season or not without crowds, what would your answer be?
The majority verdict of 81% from clubs in the National League North would be to NOT start the season, unless there was a financial support package in place for member clubs.
The meeting considered the impact of the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round on the contractual status of players, many of whom have contracts that begin on the ‘commencement of the football season’. We are sure you are aware that clubs wrote these contracts based on information provided by the FA via the National League. The issue is, that should there be a delay to the National League North season then these contracts would be activated by the FA Cup fixture. This would leave clubs exposed to having to pay these players for the rest of the season with obvious financial implications.
Elite status was debated at length, because as you are aware National League North and South clubs were granted elite status in July 2020.
Therefore, the question was asked why do clubs from Step 1 receive one vote per club and Step 2 only receives four votes per league? We believe the decision regarding when to start the National League should be democratic across all members due to the financial implications of any decision on member clubs. This is never more apparent following the government’s decision on Tuesday and we request that we should be treated equally and have one vote per club across the whole National League system.
These are views shared by the majority of clubs in the National League North and we ask that they are represented at the National League Board meeting taking place today
New pre-season friendly announcement
The club are delighted to be able to announce that at the last minute our good neighbours Farsley Celtic have agreed to a re-match of this Tuesdays and will travel to the Horsfall to play us this Saturday with a 2.00 pm kick off.
Hopefully we will see another close encounter and good test for both squads, as we saw during Tuesday evening game.
Sadly there will still be no fans allowed but the game will be available to watch on our new streaming platform, with full commentary coming from Mick ‘The game caller’ Gledhill.
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Avenue defeat despite being the stronger team
A late penalty denied Bradford (Park Avenue) a draw at The Citadel in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly.
It was a familiar face who broke the deadlock as former Avenue favourite Adam Clayton rose above his marker and smartly nodded the ball past Dan Atkinson from close range.
In the second half, the Avenue looked dangerous on the break and Brad Dockerty made a huge difference after being introduced at half-time. The young winger drew his side level with a deflected effort before a late penalty from Luke Parkin gave the home side the victory.
There wasn’t much between both teams in the first 45 minutes. The home side enjoyed more of the possession, helped by the Avenue giving away cheap ball inside their own half on a few occasions.
But it was Mark Bower’s side who nearly took the lead as former Avenue goalkeeper Steven Drench was called into action to deny the Trialist from 14 yards.
Following a free-kick conceded by Jake Hibbs which was headed clear by the Bradford defence, the corner from Jake Charles was met by Clayton to give the Celts a narrow lead.
Before the half-time whistle, the hosts could’ve doubled their advantage but Atkinson produced a superb save, tipping over Jimmy Spencer’s curling effort from 20 yards.
Shortly after, Atkinson was beaten as Joe West lifted an effort over the goalkeeper from ten yards but the Avenue right-back Mark Ross covered well and cleared the ball off the line.
After the restart, the visitors caused plenty of problems, it was just the final ball that sometimes let the Avenue down. The introduction of Dockerty was a catalyst for the Avenue to catch the home side on the counter attack.
There were shouts of handball against Danny Ellis as substitute Tabish Hussain struck a powerful right-footed effort towards goal but it was blocked. The referee and linesman disagreed with the protests.
It was the Avenue who continued to push forward and deservedly drew level as Dockerty produced some excellent footwork and unleashed a low right-footed effort towards goal, and with the help of a deflection from Adam Nowakowski, it flew past Drench from 20 yards.
With the game heading for a draw, the home side snatched a dramatic winner. Tyler Walton broke through the middle of the park and evaded a few challenges, only for Ross to bring the midfielder down inside the box. From the penalty spot, Parkin sent Atkinson the wrong way to give Farsley Celtic a narrow victory.
Farsley Celtic: Drench, Richards (B.Atkinson 61), West, Allen, Ellis, Clayton, Byrom, C.Atkinson (Walton 61), Spencer, Charles (Parkin 61), Hayhurst (Syers 61)
Goals: Clayton (28), Parkin (pen 90)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Downing (Toulson 59), Marriott (Windass 75), Havern, Lund, Knight (Trialist 75), Hibbs (Lyons 75), Trialist (Hussain 59), Clee (Dockerty 45), Nowakowski (Trialist 85).
Goal: Dockerty (83)
Avenues next game was due to be away this Saturday at Spennymoor, but due to increased lock down measures in the North East and to protect staff and players it has been agreed to call the match off. We are presently trying to arrange an alternative last pre-season fixture before the FA Cup tie on the 3rd of October.
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Windass signs for the Avenue
Jordan Windass has put pen to paper to play for Bradford (Park Avenue) this coming season. Windass who has spent time at Gainsborough and North Ferriby has been with us through pre-season and has shown enough for Bower and Boshell to add him to the squad. The versatile Windass has been used as a right back in the majority of the press-season games, but is equally comfortable all across the midfield. By adding to his footballing education we are sure Jordan will be looking to follow his brother Josh from non-league into the football league
Jordan Windass –
‘I’m delighted to have signed for Bradford and I’m really looking forward to working under Bowz and Bosh. They have been great to me since I came to the club and made it clear what they want out of me and the team. I’m also excited for the challenge of playing at this level since it’s my first time. Hopefully I can learn a lot from the likes of Toulson and the older lads, to become a better player and hopefully have a successful season with a great bunch of lads‘
Mark Bower –
‘Jordan has been with us on and off for a few seasons now. We’ve kept an eye on his development and he has come back to us in pre season in fantastic physical shape. He possesses some real attributes and has areas to improve, so we are looking forward to helping him reach his full potential.’
You will be able to see Jordan in his official outing on Tuesdays nights pre-season friendly with Farsley Celtic. It had been hoped that this would be with fans, however presently it seems more likely it will be behind closed doors, but the game will be live streamed so we can see Jordan strut his stuff
#UTA
Bradford (Park Avenue) fell to a disappointing defeat against Yorkshire Amateur AFC on their new 3G pitch at the Horsfall Stadium.
The away side started brightly and looked dangerous on the counter attack and punished the Avenue’s inability to score.
After denying Oli Johnson, the visitors were too quick for their opponents and Fernando Moke passed the ball inside to Roy Fogarty who tapped the ball in the back of the net from close range.
Shortly after, Casey Stewart, who caused the hosts plenty of problems throughout the night, threaded a lovely ball to Stephen Crawford, and he drilled a shot into the bottom corner from 14 yards.
Mark Bower’s side, despite being 2-0 down, started to get back into the game, mainly due to Isaac Marriott who took control in the centre of the park. The young midfielder continued to try and make things happen but unfortunately for the home side, Brad Dixon wasn’t tested.
After the break, it was Yorkshire Amateur AFC who started the better team again, but the Avenue Trialist goalkeeper was impressive, saving twice with his feet from close range.
Following a number of substitutions, the Avenue halved the deficit as a Trialist who replaced Johnson in the first half was fouled in the penalty area. Young Academy striker Jamie Lyons continued his goalscoring form by smashing it into the bottom corner. But it wasn’t enough, as Avenue suffered a disappointing defeat on their return to the Horsfall.
BPA:
Trialist, Ross, Downing, Marriott, Havern, Lund, Knight (Lyons), Hibbs (Trialist), Johnson (Trialist), Toulson (Trialist), Trialist (Dockerty).
Goal: Lyons (pen 83)
Yorkshire Amateur AFC:
Dixon, Smith, Henry, Sharry, Dempsey, Beaston, Priestley, Moke, Crawford, Fogarty, Stewart.
Subs all used: Trennery, Killock, Dean, Trialist, Blakey.
Goals: Fogarty (12), Crawford (16)
Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Yorkshire Amateurs Live Stream Details
We are pleased to confirm the details for tonights match vs Yorkshire Amateurs.
Our stream will be live from 7:25, and finish shortly after full time.
Please follow the link below, it will take you straight to the stream. Once on the page, you will need to press the play button on the video, from there you will be able to view the game, alongside Mick ‘Game Caller’ Gledhills excellent commentary.
Please note, if you leave the page, or if your PC/Laptop/Mobile device enters screensaver mode, you may need to refresh the page to continue viewing.
As this is our first stream, we would like your feedback! If you wish to mention anything to us, please email calum.cullen@bpafc.com
#UTA #WeAreBack
Update on tomorrow’s match and COVID19 player isolation
Tomorrows game with Yorkshire Amateurs will be going ahead behind closed doors as planned, with a 7.30 kick off.
After we took the precautionary action to isolate the first team bubble on Friday, after one of the players showed COVID symptoms, we spent the last few days in consultation with our medical officer and reviewing the National League and Government protocols and guidance.
As a result of these reviews we can release the players from isolation as their last contact with the symptomatic player was over 72 hours before the symptoms showed and at that time he wouldn’t have been contagious according to government advice.
Based on the above and in agreement with the medical officer tomorrows game will go ahead as planned and all player and staff in the bubble have been released from their isolation with immediate effect.
We hope you will tune in to watch (we are planning a free trial of the video streaming service) the game and listen to Mick’s commentary.
Please bear with us as we trial the system as there may be some technical challenges which we would like to iron out before the start of the season.
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The Avenue to be tested in last pre-season friendly before the season starts
We are excited to let announce that we have arranged a very challenging test for the team in what will be our last pre-season outing before the season commences. We will be playing Spennymoor Town FC away at Brewery Field on Saturday the 26th of September, kick off 3pm.
This will give manager Mark Bower the hard test he was looking for with Spennymoor having strengthened yet again over the summer on top of what was already a top 6 squad. In an exciting twist it will give two players the opportunity to visit old clubs in our own Jake Hibbs returning the club where he spent the last two seasons and for us to have the pleasure of watching Jamie Spencer strutting his stuff for his new team.
Whilst both clubs wait to see if fans will be allowed to attend it is confirmed that the game will be live streamed in any eventuality, with details to follow.
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This weekends Pre-season friendly has been cancelled
Bradford (Park Avenue) have had one of our players show COVID 19 related symptoms and as part of our stage 3 back to playing protocols that player and the rest of the management bubble have had to go into isolation pending the results of a COVID 19 test which is taking place today. Unfortunately the results will not come back in time for us to safely fore fill our fixture at Grantham this Saturday, and therefore we are taking the safe and responsible decision to postpone the game.
Our first team bubble are considered primary contacts and that is why they are going into self isolation, the definition of this is that they have been in direct contact with the player. They must self isolate for the next 7 days unless we get a negative result of the test in which case the isolation will be lifted.
As a pre-caution we have sent home our academy players today, although they aren’t required to self isolate at present, as they are in the secondary contact group.
If your son or daughter was in one of the training sessions run by one or other of the two first team players on Wednesday 9th of September there is at this time no need to self isolate or be overly concerned as they are also in the secondary contact group.
Once we have the test results we will follow the government guidelines.
Clearly if the test comes back negative then it will simply be a case of returning to normal training and studies for the academy, juniors and first team.
Assuming there was a positive result then the government protocols for the secondary contact groups would come into place which would mean COVID 19 testing and self isolation until the results have been delivered and full track and trace to identify all people in this group.
If you have nay questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in contact with the club at this email address.
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