22 Apr 2020

National League Update – 22/04/2020

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Today the National League have confirmed that the rest of the games this season have been postponed, effectively ending the league. As a club we voted in support of the motion as to do so was the sensible and prudent thing to do in light of the unprecedented circumstances the community and country find themselves in. Allowing us to keep our fans, players and staff as safe as possible.

Whilst no firm decision has been made on promotions and relegations, we are now planning for life in the National League North for next season. We are in constant communication with the National League and the other clubs in the National League North, whom are currently debating how best to address promotions and any possible relegations for the 19/20 season. As soon as we have any news we will let you know.

The great news is that we have Mark and Danny contracted to us for next season and they are working hard on putting together a exciting and competive team for us to watch next year, and we hope to have news on some signings very soon.

We haven’t forgotten our loyal season ticket holders and we are currently discussing what we can do to address the 4 games they have missed out on and will communicate the remedy as soon as we have it.

For the National Leagues full statement please see below:

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-remaining-league-matches-61884

#keepsafe #UTA

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10 Apr 2020

Blyth Spartans Vs Bradford (Park Avenue) Virtual Match Commentary

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On Easter Monday Bradford should be travelling to the North East to play Blyth Spartans in a battle of the bottom two in National League North.

If you want your football fix, put those Easter Eggs down, and log in to the BPA Forum. Kick off 3.00pm.

After the successful experiment of virtual live match commentary of Bradford’s fixture at Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday which 14,408 people followed online. Horsfall Community Trust Trustee Keith Denison we be providing a similar service for this crucial clash at Croft Park, Blyth.

In a pre match interview with commentator Keith he had the following message for supporters.

It is my pleasure to bring you exciting coverage of the game. In return I would like you to consider making a donation.

All monies received would be shared equally between Bradford (Park Avenue) FC and its charitable arm, The Horsfall Community Trust.

It’s a difficult time for many football clubs and any monies received would greatly help the club with current financial commitments and with their plans for next season. The Trust is doing sterling work in the local community and funds are always welcome to help them continue delivering this service.

If you wish to make a donation please transfer the amount of your choice to:

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund – Halifax – A/C No 33569976 – Sort Code 05-06-81

To get full virtual match commentary go to – https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bpaforum/easter-monday-football-special-t6138.html

We are Bradford – and we love our football.

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31 Mar 2020

National League Update – 31/03/2020

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The National League Board met earlier today and has reviewed its prior decision to suspend the competition until at least 3rd April 2020.

In consideration of the very serious and unprecedented national public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the National League, National League North and National League South competitions indefinitely.

The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with The Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019/20 season.

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22 Mar 2020

National League Update – 22/03/2020

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The National League will be holding a Board Update conference call on Monday morning.

The Board will review the League’s position concerning the suspension of the competition, and the financial position of Clubs following feedback submitted last week and in light of the Government’s recently announced economic interventions to assist businesses and protect workers.

The National League is currently in close dialogue with The Football Association, and we are discussing with them matters concerning season timings and the issues raised by Clubs concerning player contracts and registrations. These matters will also be discussed by the Board.

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17 Mar 2020

National League Statement

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At its Board Meeting on Friday, The National League decided to use its best endeavours to keep its season going in the face of unprecedented adversity. However, with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching global pandemic levels it has to accept that the situation is now out of its own control. In the knowledge of the government measures now announced including not to support sporting events with emergency services workers it is clearly not practical for its fixtures to be fulfilled in the immediate future.

In those circumstances and in line with The Football Association and the Professional Game, at a Board Meeting today, The National League has decided that its competition is now suspended until at least 3rd April 2020. The National League will continue to monitor the situation, but trusts that its loyal clubs, fans, players, officials, staff, volunteers and sponsors will accept that it has had no other choice but to reach this decision. It wishes everybody connected with the competition and indeed the whole country a safe passage through these turbulent times.

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14 Mar 2020

Bradford (Park Avenue) Vs Curzon Ashton COVID-19 Update

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We are pleased to announce that our fixture against Curzon Ashton will go ahead as planned today.

We have already announced that season ticket holders for any sport can gain entry for a small fee of £5.

With the current situation, as a safety measures we will provide extra bars and food concessions around the stadium, this will prevent high gathering of supporters in confined areas.

For our elderly season ticket holders that are worried about attending this fixture, we will now live stream the game to prevent you from missing this highly important match. (in our quest for the great escape)

To prevent queuing, we advised that you arrived at the game earlier than normal with the gates opening at the earlier time of 12:30.

General admission prices :

Adults: £10
Concessions: £8
Students: £8
Under 17s: £1

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13 Mar 2020

Reduced Admission For Season Ticket Holders This Weekend

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The great escape is well and truly on. In the light of this, Bradford (Park Avenue) have sought and been given approval from the National League to offer season tickets holders from ANY other sports club a reduced admission price of £5 on production of their season ticket at the turnstile for our home game against Curzon Ashton this weekend.

Please spread the message to all football supporters looking to get their football fix this weekend to help get a bumper crowd at the Horsfall on Saturday.

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12 Mar 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Curzon Ashton

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Saturday afternoon represents massive time period in Bradford (Park Avenue)’s season as they welcome relegation rivals Curzon Ashton to the Horsfall Stadium.

After two games and two big victories against Chester and King’s Lynn over the last week, this game on Saturday now brings a different meaning than what it looked like two weeks ago.

After Avenue’s painful loss to Gloucester City just over a month ago left them 16 points from safety, the two victories in the two games since now mean they are 11 points from the drop, but they can reduce that to 8 with a win on the weekend.

It’s been an unbelievable week for Mark Bower’s side after a month off due to postponed fixtures. Firstly, they welcomed playoff chasing Chester to the Horsfall Stadium last week in a game not many thought they had a chance in — but the Avenue players and Avenue staff clearly had their own self belief as they were able to pull off a shock 2-1 win after goals from Tom Clare and Oli Johnson sandwiched a Matty Waters goal for Chester.

Then just three days later on a very cold and windy Tuesday night, Avenue made the long trip to Norfolk to take on Kings Lynn, who, with a win would’ve put themselves in first place in the league table.

They normally say the league table doesn’t lie, but on this occasion it did, as Bradford stunned the hosts, completing another shocking upset — two within three days — as a Tom Clare efforts gave the Green Army a 1-0 victory.

Meanwhile for Curzon Ashton, they currently occupy the final spot of safety in the league table, sitting in 20th place, 11 points above Avenue at the bottom of the table.

That’s what makes this clash so important for Bradford. A win and they are 8 points from safety with 9 games left which is very doable. However, a loss leaves them 14 points from safety with 9 games left which would pretty much make the huge results that the Avenue have picked up over the last week count for nought.

Despite the last two wins giving reasonable hope, it won’t be easy. Curzon Ashton are a very tough team to beat as they have proven in their last couple of games as they earned draws with York City and Boston United, who are both chasing promotion.

But if Avenue are to complete what would be a miraculous escape from relegation, this is simply a game that they have to win.

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7 Mar 2020

MATCH REPORT: Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-1 Chester

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Bradford (Park Avenue)’s hopes of completing an unlikely and miraculous great escape were given a massive boost as they beat promotion hopeful’s Chester 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Horsfall Stadium.

It had been a long time coming for an Avenue side who hadn’t won a game since December, and had been on the losing end of some very unfair results over the last couple of months of the season.

This time though, Bradford were finally rewarded for what was a terrific performance against one of the league’s best sides. It was a very cagey opening to the game for both sides, with the wind certainly playing a factor in that. At some points, you didn’t even know where the ball was going to land due to the sheer strength of the wind, but fortunately, it seemed that Avenue were the ones who were able to adapt best to the wintery conditions.

Because of the conditions, it always felt like the first goal was going to be vital and it was the Avenue who grabbed it. Tom Clare’s original strike from a superb Ryan Toulson cross struck the post. A melee then erupted on the goal line, and no one really seemed to know where the ball was. Eventually the ball looked like it struck Clare, seemingly off an attempted clearance by one of the Chester defenders and fell into the net.

Ugly goal or not, Mark Bower won’t have cared and it meant his side entered the break 1-0 ahead. However, it was important to not get carried away as Avenue also took a 1-0 lead into half time in the reverse fixture earlier this season and lost the game. It looked like it was going to be a repeat of that as Chester equalised on 50 minutes, Matty Waters scoring directly from a corner after Nicholson was unable to get a hold of the ball.

From then on, both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession and whoever got the third goal was surely going to win the game at this point. Luck this time was on Bradford’s side as it was they who got the all important third goal, and this time it was captain Oli Johnson nodding home after a long throw in from Lewis Knight.

Chester put a lot of pressure on the Avenue defence as the game reached it’s latter stages, but the Bradford defence held firm with a man-of-the-match performance from centre back Mitch Lund.

The result now leaves the Avenue 13 points from safety, but with plenty of confidence going into a mid week clash against Kings Lynn and a huge game next weekend against fellow relegation rivals Curzon Ashton.

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7 Mar 2020

MATCH PREVIEW: Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Chester

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After a three week lay off due to postponed fixtures, Bradford (Park Avenue) finally return to the pitch this weekend as they welcome Chester to the Horsfall Stadium.

It’s been a long time since the Avenue last had a game, with this weekend marking a month since their last fixture which was an agonising 2-1 home defeat to fellow relegation candidates Gloucester City in a loss which really derailed most hope that the Avenue might’ve had for escaping relegation from the National League North this season.

It’s been an up and down couple of weeks for Bradford’s opponents. After grabbing a huge victory against Kings Lynn, who are runaway favourites to win the league, Chester then followed that up with a 3-2 home loss to fellow promotion rivals Brackley Town in their last outing. They currently sit in 4th place in the table so will be looking to further secure their spot in the playoffs this weekend.

Last time the Avenue and Chester met, it was just three months ago when Bradford came very close to leaving the Northwest with atleast a point. Avenue took a 1-0 lead into half time through Billy Priestley’s goal, but Chester were able to turn the game on it’s head early on in the second half on the way to winning the game 2-1.

After such a long lay off though, Mark Bower is expecting to have a fully fit team at his disposal and will be hoping that the extra rest will have his squad extra fuelled up for a run in that will need plenty of victories if Avenue are to have any chance of surviving the drop.

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