The National League have confirmed the 20/21 season will start on 3rd of October with FA cup fixtures…………………….more to follow.

Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm that Oli Johnson has agreed to extend his stay at the Horsfall. Oli has been with The Avenue since his initial loan spell from Guiseley in the 16/17 season. Since then he has played a 115 times for The Avenue and scored 34 goals, missing just 10 games during that time, three of which were down to suspensions. The classy frontman has played right across the frontline during that period where his close control and calmness in front of goal have seen him become a much envied player, the club having turned down several approaches for his services. The advent of our new playing surface should ideally suit his technical ability and we hope to see him banging in the goals at an even better rate than his fantastic current stats of 1 every 3.38 games.

Danny Boshell – 

‘We’re delighted OJ has decided to stay with us for another season. There’s no doubting his natural ability plus his goal scoring record at this level is excellent and speaks for itself, despite playing from a predominantly wide position. On his day he is without doubt one of the best players in the league and a genuine match winner. We expect our new 3g surface will allow us to play more to OJ’s strengths and that can only benefit us. He’s a great lad with a fantastic attitude, exactly the type we want in our dressing room and the younger boys can only learn from him.’

Oli Johnson – 

‘I am really happy to commit to the club for another season. To work with Mark, Bosh and Tully again, and to kick on from last season after a turbulent time for the club. Hopefully we can now find some stability, with the improvements around the ground and infrastructure being put in place, along with a brand new playing surface. I cant wait to get started again when its safe to resume.’

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Some lucky supporter has already snapped up the sponsorship opportunity with OJ. If you would like to register your interest in sponsoring any of our future signings be sure to speak to a member of the Development Fund.

Versatile Mark Ross has agreed to re-join the Avenue after a year away at Chorley, making up 19 appearances in the National League for the Magpies. No stranger to the fans of Bradford (Park Avenue), Ross was a key member of both squads that made consecutive appearances in the play-offs. Super fit Ross can play either in central defence or at right back and will add extra experience and solidity to the Avenue back line next season. During his previous 2 year spell with at the Horsfall Mark started 80 games contributing to 24 clean sheets and scoring a solitary goal.

Mark Ross –

‘Really looking forward to be back playing for mark and the rest of the coaching team. I only have brilliant memories of the 2 seasons I’ve had at the Horsfall and I am coming back to try and create some more. Looking forward to playing with some of the same team who I already know and excited to play on that new pitch!’

Mark Bower –

‘When we began to identify players for the new season, Mark Ross was one of the names at the top of the list, so I am delighted that he has agreed to join us. When speaking to him, it was clear his main objective was to enjoy his football in a team able to compete. Having worked with us and several of the players before, it is great that he feels we fit the bill. Rossy is another who we will be able to count on to perform at a consistent level and help our younger players with his experience. He will also set a first class example to them in the way he conducts himself off the pitch.’

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Unfortunately there is a waiting list to sponsor player and so Mark has already gone, if you want to support the club, why not sign up for the Legends draw and not only support the club but give yourself the chance to win every week, for further details please click here.

Luca Havern is the latest piece of the jigsaw of Mark Bower’s squad for next season. The experienced 31 year old defender re-joins the Avenue after just a season away at Ashton United. This type of high profile signing demonstrates the clubs intent and the pulling power of Mark and Danny. Havern’s towering performances in our two recent play-off seasons are still fresh in the memory and this type of leadership and quality were at times missing last season. With well over 200 games experience at National League level, natural leader Havern is the ideal fit for the new squads blend of youth and experience. Welcome back Luca, looking forward to seeing you down at the Horsfall very soon.

Luca Havern –

‘I’m delighted to return to Bradford (Park Avenue) for the coming season and to be able to work with Bowes, Bosh and Tully again. Over the 2 seasons I played at the Horsfall, we had some good times and I’d love to emulate that again next season. The new pitch will be great for the club and the community and I’m looking forward to getting started and seeing everyone.’

Mark Bower –

‘It’s great to have Luca back at the club. He was a highly respected member of the squad in his previous spell and has a wealth of playing experience at National League level. Central defence is a key position, so having a player like Luca, who I know we can rely on to put in consistent performances, gives us a good foundation to build a competitive team.’

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In what we hope will a hugely successful 4th year at the Avenue, we are really excited to announce that the man, the myth, the legend and fan favourite Nicky Clee has decided to extend his stay at the Horsfall. After two hugely successful seasons, Nicky briefly left the Avenue in the 19/20 season, but returned to join up once again with Mark and Danny. His return saw him put in a series of man of the match performances and score a few great goals, before the suspension of matches, which eventually culminated in our great escape (albeit not the way we would’ve like to have done it).

Regarded as ‘the best player in non-league football’ by his team mates, it should be fantastic to see him strutting his stuff on our new 3G pitch, where his technical ability will be given an even better stage on which to shine.

Nicky Clee – 

‘I’m delighted to commit to Bradford (Park Avenue)for another season and be able to work with Mark, Danny, Ryan and Tally again. They are a really good group to play for and hopefully we can put last season behind us and kick on this season. This is a brilliant football club to be involved with and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Horsfall as soon as we possibly can. I enjoy an excellent relationship with the supporters and in my 3 years at the club they have followed us through thick and thin. These supporters deserve success and will be doing my best to give them something to shout about.’

Mark Bower –

‘Nicky’s signing I’m sure will be as pleasing for the supporters as it is for myself and the staff. There is no doubting his quality as a player and since taking up a position as a central midfielder, he has put in a string of man of the match performances to cement himself as one of our key players. He is also a great pro to have around the dressing room and he shares his experiences with our younger players to help their development. Despite reaching the latter years of his career, I see Nicky having a good few years left as a central midfielder and we are delighted he has committed another year to us.’

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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.’

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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.