Bradford (Park Avenue) have today received the long awaited confirmation that our National League North status is secured for the 2020-21 season.

Please see below the full statement from the National League:

Following a vote by all member Clubs, and subject to FA Council approval, the Vanarama National League, Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South seasons 2019/20 will be concluded with final league tables compiled on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis.

The outcome is Barrow AFC are champions of the Vanarama National League, King’s Lynn Town are champions of Vanarama National League North and Wealdstone are champions of Vanarama National League South.

The end of season Play-Offs will now proceed with the Clubs that qualify, subject to the competition rules and the applicable government guidance on the phased return of elite sport.

The number of Clubs to be relegated from the Vanarama National League will be determined so as to maintain a National Division of 24 Clubs after any relegation from EFL League Two, promotion to EFL League Two and promotion from the National League North and National League South divisions. There shall be no relegation from Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Tattersall commented: “I congratulate each of our champions Clubs on their successful campaigns. The enforced curtailment of our season does nothing to discredit the quality of the football played and I am pleased that our Clubs have overwhelmingly supported the award of their titles. We can now also look towards the completion of end of season Play-Offs.”

Notes:

National League Clubs were asked to support an Ordinary Resolution to conclude the season with final leagues tables compiled on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis. The resolution received the support of a significant majority of member Clubs in each division.

“Unweighted Points Per Game” is defined as: 
The method for calculating the final points total of each Club in the Division concerned, calculated in accordance with the following formula, rounding the final points total up to three decimal places:

PT * LMS = Final Points Total
___
CM

Where “PT” means a Club’s points total in the 2019/20 Season at the point when the Competition was suspended on 16 March 2020.

Where “CM” means the number of Competition Matches a Club has played in the 2019/20 Season at the point the Competition was suspended on 16 March 2020.

Brad Dockerty has put pen to paper on a new one year deal with the Avenue, with an option for a second year. Brad originally joined The Avenue at the beginning of last season, Mark Bower had originally set up the deal with Hemsworth prior to his summer departure on the back of two incredible seasons for The Wells scoring 40 goals and making 34 assists from the wing.

Dockerty started his Bradford (Park Avenue) career strongly with 3 goals from 5 starts, with a further 9 appearances from the bench, and all that during the difficult start to last season. Unfortunately as the club stabilised with the re-appointment of the man (Mark Bower) responsible for his recruitment in the first place, there was a large change in working circumstances that meant it would be difficult for Brad to play and train with us. A Loan to Pontefract for what remained of the 19/20 season brought another 3 goals in 16 games.

After some discussions with his family and Mark, Brad wants to return to the Horsfall and commit fully for the season and see where his talent can take him and the club.

Brad Dockerty –

‘I’m really excited to be back at BPA, due to my work commitments last year cutting my spell short, I’m delighted to be given another chance to play at this level under Mark and Bosh. I enjoyed the time here last year and when Mark phoned me, it was a no brainer, to return and test myself. Hopefully I can impress, score a few goals and help the club back to where it wants to be.’

Mark Bower –

‘It is a real positive that Brad has agreed to extend his stay with us. Brad showed his potential early last season with his quality, pace and eye for goal. Unfortunately work commitments limited Brad’s involvement later in the season, however he is now in a position to fully commit to the training and travel required and we look forward to working with him, with the aim of helping him reach his full potential with us.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm the signing of Jake Hibbs on a one year deal with the option for a second. After starting his career with Manchester City U18’s, Jake eventually found himself at Halifax Town, where he played 57 times for them in the National League. He capped his time there by helping them win the FA trophy at Wembley, with a dominating display in a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town.

Jake left Halifax for Spennymoor in 18/19 season, the move was unfortunately dogged by injury and playing in his less favoured role of Right Back. This led to him taking loan spells at Buxton and latterly with the Avenue last season where he started 9 times in his preferred role.

A dynamic box to box midfielder with strong technical skill, Jake is the perfect blend of talent, experience and potential. We look forward to Jake showing us exactly what made him hot property during his time at Halifax with an extended run in the Avenue engine room.

Mark Bower –

‘We are delighted to secure the signing of Jake Hibbs on a permanent basis following his loan spell with us. Jake put in some strong performances for us last season and we are looking forward to helping him push on and fulfil his undoubted potential.

Jake was a stand out player in The National League a few years ago whilst at Halifax, but has had a frustrating time more recently. We believe Jake has the potential to reach and surpass the standards he has set in the past and the key for him joining us was our determination to help him achieve this by playing him regularly in his strongest position in a style of play that suits his attributes.‘

Jake Hibbs –

‘When the opportunity came up to sign for BPA it was a no brainer for me really, having worked with Mark and Danny before. I’ve always enjoyed my time playing for them and feel that they can bring the best out of me by having a full season with them. Obviously last season was a bit of a strange one, both personally and for football in general, but the time I spent on loan at Bradford has made my decision really easy to join for the upcoming season. Looking at the players we have already signed it looks like its going to be an exciting season on the pitch, so I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting the lads again.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Ryan Toulson has put pen to paper on a new Deal at Bradford (Park Avenue) extending his stay with the club. Ryan forms part of a formidable management team with Mark and Danny having worked with them over the last 3 years.

The experienced, solid and hard working right sided defender becomes the clubs 6^th signing ahead of the new season. Ryan is the ideal signing for the club being able to coach and develop some of our younger players both on and off the pitch.

After leaving the club in the summer of 2019, Ryan re-joined last season as one of Marks first signings and went on to make 15 appearances in league and cup.

We hope you are looking forward to seeing Ryan maraud up and down our right flank next season!

Ryan Toulson –

‘I am delighted to be joining Mark and Danny as part of the management team for another season. They have shown trust in me to join an already successful management team at this level and they have both helped me gain knowledge and understanding in different areas of management/coaching, so long may that continue.
As the club looks to the future on developing younger players I hope my experience on the pitch compliments the work that we do off it.

I’m looking forward to getting started as soon as it’s safe to do so and we will be working hard to give you the committed fans something to shout about.’

Mark Bower –

‘It is great news that Ryan has extended his stay at the club. He has proved to be a trusted and knowledgeable member of the staff and also provides an experienced head on the pitch which will be important as we place a greater emphasis on developing more younger players over the coming seasons. 

Ryan’s style and personality compliments our management team well and we look forward to him continuing his good work with us.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Isaac Marriott has agreed a pre-contract agreement to join the Avenue for next season when his current deal with Huddersfield Town expires. The dynamic and energetic midfielder has been part of the Huddersfield elite academy set up since he was 9 years old, and benefits from the strong work ethic and technical skills developed and instilled in him by Huddersfield. The next step in Isaacs development sees him join the Avenue, under the expert tutelage of Mark and Danny, on a permanent basis after his loan spell with us last season.

Danny Boshell –

‘Fantastic news that Isaac has agreed to sign for us next season. Having worked with Isaac for a spell last season we know he’s a great kid with a top class attitude, and has a willingness and determination to learn which is a real positive in any player. The challenge for Isaac now is for him to establish himself at this level, then to hopefully kick on and fulfil his potential and get back into the EFL. Its great that he sees us as a platform to that and having played the odd game or two  in Isaac’s position myself, I’m sure I can give him one or two pointers in the right direction to try help him meet his ambitions.’

Isaac Marriott –

‘I’m thrilled to be joining BPA from next season. A massive part of my decision was the chance to work again under Mark and his assistant Danny, and I was also inspired by the ambitious plans the club have moving forward. I also felt that during my loan spell the fans took a liking to me which is a big factor in me joining. They’re a great set of fans and I can’t wait to get started.’

Nick Bianchi (BKM Sports Management) –

‘It’s fabulous to see a club in such a strong position despite these truly unprecedented times, and the ambition of the manager Mark is matched by the Director of Football Operations, Martin Knight, and his long term plan to make BPA such a progessive and exciting club for players to go to. Isaac is looking forward to returning to the Horsfall’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, Lewis Knight has already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Yet another great signing for the 20/21 season for The Avenue! The versatile Mitchell Lund has signed a new contract with the club for the 20/21 season with an option for a second. Mitch played 30 games for the Avenue last season and played in all of the positions across the back four as well as a few games as a holding midfielder. Excelling in the final few games of the season at the heart of the defence as a centre back and helping us beat two of the top four in our last three games.

Starting his career at Doncaster Mitch has amassed 50 appearances in the EFL for Doncaster Rovers and Morecombe, before joining the Avenue in 2019. The 6’1”, 23 year old, fits perfectly into our ideas of giving young, hungry players the platform and opportunity  to play first team men’s football.

Joining along side the already announced Lewis Knight(21) and Dan Atkinson (24) we are beginning to see a young, exciting and talented squad for next season coming together.

Mitch Lund –

‘I am delighted to say that I will be re-signing for BPA. I am looking forward to stepping out on the pitch for this great club. Hopefully enjoying a more successful season, which I believe the club and the fans thoroughly deserve. It is a credit to the club that at this uncertain time they are in such a positive position off the field, securing a strong playing squad for next season as well as signing the gaffa and Bosh for another 3 years. I am very thankful to be a part of Bradford (Park Avenue) and it will give me immense pride to represent this club once more. I look forward to seeing you all again, down at the Horsfall, as soon as it is safe for us all to do.’

Mark Bower –

‘We are really pleased to have Mitch committed for next season. He showed great versatility for us last season and finished it with some stand out performances at centre half. Not only is Mitch talented and hard working, he is also very professional, with a great attitude in the games and training. Wherever Bosh and I asked him to play, he quietly just got on with it to the best of his ability. Having this kind of selflessness in the squad is invaluable and will help Mitch towards achieving his ambition of getting back into full time football once again.’

#UTA

The Development Fund are pleased to announce that sponsorship of any of the players that have already signed for the club for next season can be done by clicking here and filling out the player sponsorship form. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce that we have secured the signing of Dan Atkinson for the 20/21 season. The 24 year old Goalkeeper, began his development at the Leeds United Academy where he made appearances for England U16’s and England U17’s before moving to Guiseley. At Guiseley Dan played under our current management duo of Mark and Danny and made 18 appearances for Guiseley in the National League, challenging Steven Drench for the number 1 jersey during his 2 seasons with the club.

We look forward to seeing Dan plying his trade down at the Horsfall next season and wish him well as he embarks on his Avenue career.

Dan Atkinson –

‘I am really excited to be joining BPA and joining back up and playing under Mark and Danny. I really enjoyed my time playing under them and I am looking forward to the brand of football that they want to play here. I’ve got a real hunger to do well for the club and get BPA back up the table, hopefully keeping a clean sheet or two. I think everyone will be excited to get back to watching some football when this is all over, so lets hope we can give them something to cheer about when the new season starts’

Mark Bower –

‘I’m really pleased with the signing of Dan. He is a modern, young goalkeeper with bags of potential, but also good experience having played a number of games at National league level. Having worked with him in the past, I know Dan will compliment the team well with his goalkeeping qualities and confidence with the ball at his feet. He is another young talented player whom we hope to help fulfil his ambitions of becoming a full time professional player. ’

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Fan Favourite Lewis Knight has put pen to paper on a new one year deal. After lengthy discussions between Lewis and his agent Andy Gray, the club are delighted to announce that the blisteringly quick forward has committed his immediate future to the Avenue.

His powerful and exciting style has won many admirers over his 2 seasons with The Avenue and the club have had to fight hard to fend off interest from else where. Its obvious to see why he is so admired by the Avenue fans and envied by other clubs, his games to goal involvement ratio (goal or assist) is just under one every other game.

Total Appearances: 71

Goals: 11

Assists: 17

In line with the clubs strategy of developing young talented players, who maybe haven’t had opportunities to this point in their development, this marks the first of many such exciting squad developments.

Danny Boshell –

Both myself and Mark are delighted that Lewis has decided to remain with us for the next season. The fact that he sees the club as the best place to further develop is a real positive, Mark and I hope we can help him fulfil his obvious potential into becoming a full time professional in the next couple of years, which we know is his aim. He’s a fantastic lad who’s got a great attitude and enthusiasm for the game which makes him a pleasure to coach and that’s exactly the sort of player we want at the club.

Lewis Knight –

I am very happy to be signing my new deal at BPA. Obviously with the current climate it’s hard to know what will happen next season and I’m delighted the club and I could get a deal done so early. With the club re-signing the gaffa and Bosh for an extra three years, it shows the clubs intent to do well next year and the years to come. The project looks very ambitious and I am excited to be a part of it. Also a big thank you to the fans for their loyal support throughout last year and I hope this next coming season we can repay them with some good performances and wins.

Andy Gray –

One of the reasons we wanted Lewis to re-sign for The Avenue, is that a platform to play regular first team football in a competitive environment is the most vital part of a young players development.

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Here at Bradford (Park Avenue) we are always on the look out for talented young footballers, if you have recently been released from a fulltime professional program and are looking for a place to prove yourself and have the opportunity to get back further up the footballing pyramid, please contact us to discuss the next exciting stage of your career – m.a.knight@hotmail.com

#UTA

We are delighted to be able to announce that the incredibly talented management duo of Mark Bower and Danny Boshell have agreed to commit to the club in the long term. Fundamental to the new strategy for the club, was having great management of the first team, and the ability to nurture and develop young talent. Then blending these younger talents with more experienced and seasoned players.  Mark and Danny have proven that when given the right kind of platform they are capable of producing exciting, competitive teams that are great to watch. The new 3 year deals will give them the time, confidence and stability to build something special here at the Horsfall.

Owner Gareth Roberts

‘I am really pleased that Mark and Danny have extended their contracts, we are lucky to have local lads with great coaching ability and whom understand and know the club. After a tumultuous season we wanted to steady the ship and have some strong foundations to build on’

Mark

‘I’m pleased to get this deal agreed. After what has been a difficult last 18 months, I’m positive that we now have a structure in place that can build a long and sustainable future both on and off the pitch. The proposed ground developments are exciting and it feels like we are entering a new beginning with a real focus and professional approach behind the scenes. I’m looking forward to the challenge and both Danny and I know we can count on the supporters to get behind us and help us through these uncertain times, in the knowledge that there is a solid plan and commitment in place to grow the club over the next few years’

Danny

‘Both Mark and myself are really pleased to have got this sorted, it shows the commitment of the club long term and their trust in our ability. It will allow us to further test those abilities at a club that is close to our hearts as two Bradford born lads growing up a stones through from the ground. Its not going to be easy, but we up for the challenge in these new and testing times’