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. ’

#UTA

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’

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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