All at the club would like to thank Riccardo Calder for his efforts in Red Amber and Black this season and wish him all the best for the future.
Avenue are without a game this weekend, but you can still get your football fix at the Horsfall stadium this Sunday as Oakenshaw take on Home Bargains in the FA Sunday Cup. Kick Off 2pm.
Following a period under interim stewardship, Mark Bower has agreed to return to the club alongside assistant manager Danny Boshell.
Speaking on the appointment, Gareth Roberts said:
“The club has endured a difficult time this year on and off the field but these issues have been dealt with and the club is ready to get back to winning ways. We obviously have a lot of confidence in Mark and Danny.”
Bower, who lead the Avenue to two successive National League North play off places joins the side at the start of a lull in league action, with the first team not due to take to the field until the 12th of October, when they face off against Hereford.
Talking about his return, Bower said:
“I’m really pleased to be coming back. There’s no denying its a big job. We are where we are and have to be realistic, there’s no magic wand. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to turn it around.”
“I’ve spoken to Gareth, and off the pitch the club is going the right way and getting into a much better shape. To get it right on the pitch we need everyone pulling in the right direction, young players need supporting, lead by a core of experience.”
“It wont be easy. We will have some dark days but can’t dwell on those. We have to get everyone together, and work to get out of the bottom Two. The target is to stay up”
Addressing the club’s supporters he said:
“We need your support more than ever. We’ve had some great times as a club over the past few years, with good wins and hard fought points, often times that been down to the ‘Twelfth Man’ effect. But now we need everyone to come together and fight for the Avenue, both on the pitch and in the stands.”
With this appointment, interim manager, Marcus law and assistant, Lee Fowler have left the club.
The board and all at the club would like to thank Marcus and Lee for their hard work and dedication under very difficult circumstances, and wish the pair every success in the future.
Speaking about their tenure, Gareth stated:
“I would like to recognise and thank the interim management team of Marcus Law and Lee Fowler for stepping in at short notice and helping us out.”
Show the team your support on Saturday the 12th of October as Bradford play Hereford at the Horsfall Stadium. Kick off: 3pm
Due to technical issues with the recording, the video of the inteview isn’t available, however a brief transcript has been provided by match day commentator, Russ Whittingham
Marcus said; “I felt the level of fitness amongst certain players I was assured about, wasnt where I felt it should be or expected.”
“I hold my hands up to the fact I feel I made a couple of selection mistakes.”
Marcus went on to thank the fans and stated;
“I wish to apologise profusely for that display.”
Following the final whistle Marcus and Lee, accompanied by the players, made their way to the traveling green army to apologise for the performance and thank the fans for making the journey.
Avenue Assistant Manager Lee Fowler commented that the level of desire and in particular “the fight for every tackle” wasn’t there. He went on to say; “Its my worst day in football”.
On moving forward both the Manager and Assistant re-affirmed a desire to work even harder to make the changes necessary for the club to positively move forward.
Ten-man Bradford (Park Avenue) suffered an eight-goal drubbing at the hands of goal-hungry Brackley Town.
Marcus Wood was shown two yellow cards inside half an hour for Avenue, who could simply do nothing to stop a rampant home side.
Brackley enjoyed a lot of pressure early on and twice went close through top scorer Jimmy Armson.
Shane Byrne delivered a deep corner which beat Avenue goalkeeper Rhys Taylor but Armson could only volley wide of the post.
Pacey attacker Lee Ndlovu then got in behind on the right hand side and his low ball looked set to hit the back of the net, but Armson ended up on the ground and Avenue managed to scramble clear.
Brackley did manage to open the scoring on 19 minutes, as a result of Wood’s first booking.
The midfielder put in a poor challenge out wide and was duly cautioned, with Byrne delivering and the ball ending up in the back of the net following a flick from Glenn Walker – though the final touch may have come from an Avenue head.
Armson was almost gifted a goal as Taylor fumbled an innocuous low cross, but the number eight couldn’t quite squeeze the ball home.
Just before the half-hour though, Avenue went down to ten as Wood was sent off, shown an unquestionable second yellow card for a very poor challenge in the centre of the pitch.
It took the hosts just two minutes to make the extra man count, as Matt Lowe grabbed the second, Bradford failing to clear before the midfielder neatly finished from the edge of the box with Taylor scrambling for position.
The goals looked like they were going to come raining in as Ndlovu got in behind once more, but Taylor did excellently to keep his low effort out.
Brackley had the ball in the back of the net on 36 minutes as Lowe’s cross was touched in by Armson, but the flag was up on the far side.
However Armson only had to wait five more minutes to get in on the act, as he made the simplest of near post runs and nodded in Byrne’s corner for his side’s third.
And as Avenue were begging for the relief of the half-time whistle, Brackley struck a fourth, Ndlovu getting in behind before working some space and lashing home off the underside of the bar.
A double change couldn’t do anything to change Bradford’s fortunes, as the impressive Byrne netted a fifth on 54 minutes, latching onto Ellis Myles’ through ball before rounding a helpless Taylor and slotting home.
Carl Baker struck the woodwork with a header before forcing Taylor into a save, parrying out a long-range strike before the goalkeeper did brilliantly to keep out Dan Holman’s follow-up.
Another free kick proved Avenue’s downfall again on 67 minutes, as centre back Thierry Audel rose highest to head home from Baker’s delivery.
The substitute looked desperate to get on the scoresheet, and he came close again as he ran 60 yards with the ball before lashing just over the bar.
Baker then hit the woodwork himself, following up on an excellent save from Taylor, keeping out a long-range Lowe strike.
The seventh finally came with 10 minutes to play, Ndlovu getting a deserved second as he touched home an excellent Luke Fairlamb cross.
Substitute Holman rounded off the scoring with just over five minutes on the clock, Ndlovu beating Taylor to a long ball over the top before squaring to his strike partner to add his name to the extended list of scorers on a sorrowful afternoon for Bradford.
Brackley Town:Lewis, Myles, Franklin, Byrne, Audel, Dean (c, Langmead 67), Lowe, Armson (Baker 46), Ndlovu, Fairlamb, Walker (Holman 62)
Subs not used:Noon, Worby
Goals: Walker (19), Lowe (31), Armson (41), Ndlovu (45, 80), Byrne (54), Audel (67), Holman (84)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor (c), Lund, Calder, Wood, Cresswell (Bazeley 46), Lowe, Dockerty (Knight 46), Marriott, Sweeney, Hurst, Agustien (Holmes 57)
Subs not used: Bennett, Johnson
Booked: Wood (19), Dockerty (40), Marriott (47), Hurst (59)
Sent off: Wood (29)
Referee: Daniel Locker
Attendance: 490
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) have secured the signing of experienced central defender Keith Lowe.
Lowe joins Marcus Law’s Avenue ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Brackley Town, aiming to improve the division’s leakiest defence.
The 34-year-old has plenty of recent National League North experience following spells at York City and Kidderminster Harriers, amidst a large number of Football League appearances, with the most notable stint coming at Cheltenham Town.
Lowe actually returned to the Football League last season, helping most recent employers Macclesfield Town into League Two in 2018 alongside Avenue goalkeeper Rhys Taylor.
Law has made plays to strengthen his defence recently, with Lowe the second centre back signed in a matter of weeks following the arrival of Josh Heaton from Darlington.
And Wolves academy graduate Lowe will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Brackley Town, with Avenue looking to turn around cup upset last week at the hands of Morpeth Town.
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
Marcus Law has further strengthened his Bradford (Park Avenue) squad with the signing of midfielder Kemy Agustien.
The 33-year-old Curacao international joins the club following a stint at Wrexham at the end of last season.
Agustien has lined up for a number of clubs across a long career, most notably featuring for Willem II and AZ Alkmaar in Holland before spells at Birmingham, Swansea and Brighton among others in the UK.
He was in fact part of the squads at both Birmingham and Swansea which earned promotion to the Premier League, featuring in the top flight during his four years at the Welsh club.
The six-foot central midfielder played for his native Netherlands at youth level, from under-15 to under-23, before changing allegiances, first featuring for Curacao in 2015.
After some time playing football around the world in various countries, he returned to the UK to feature for Halesowen Town, then-managed by current Avenue assistant Lee Fowler.
He has since lined up for Barrow and Wrexham in the National League before moving to Bradford.
Agustien goes straight into the squad for Avenue’s trip to Brackley Town this Saturday following the receipt of international clearance.
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) are looking to bounce back from cup disappointment with a tough trip to Brackley Town this Saturday.
Avenue return to league action after FA Cup defeat to lower-level opponents Morpeth Town, who won 4-2 at the Horsfall last weekend.
Marcus Law was more that content with his side’s first-half performance as they spent the majority of the period on top, but were once more left to rue missed chances with new signing Dan Sweeney missing from six yards moments before Morpeth’s second.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s opponents Brackley breezed into the third qualifying round with a 4-0 victory over Cinderford Town.
All their goals came in the second half against the Southern League West side, with Matt Lowe grabbing two goals after Glenn Walker had opened the scoring and Cinderford captain Nick Rhodes had put through his own goal.
Brackley currently occupy the sixth and final play-off spot in the National League North, with Avenue still struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Law continues to shape his Bradford squad, and is hoping to name at least one new addition before the weekend.
There is still time to book onto the official coach for the contest, with all the information here.
Recent League Form
Brackley Town
Curzon Ashton (A) W 4-0
AFC Telford United (H) D 1-1
Kidderminster Harriers (A) W 3-1
Gateshead (A) L 0-2
Gloucester City (H) W 3-0
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3
AFC Telford United (H) L 2-3
Darlington (A) W 1-0
Last Time Out
Brackley Town: Lewis, Myles, Franklin, Byrne, Audel, Dean, Lowe, Armson (Daire 69), Ndlovu (Holman 79), Fairlamb (Baker 63), Walker
Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c, Holmes 67), Lund, Heaton, Knight (Cresswell 74), Marriott (Johnson 69), Sweeney, Hurst, Dockerty
Admission Prices
Adult – £13
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-18 – £5
Under-10 – FREE
Family (two adults, three children) – £30
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
The bus will depart from Horsfall at 9:30 am on Saturday 28th of September.
If you are interested in travelling please book on before 5pm Thursday 26th of September.
To book your place please email info@bpafc.com or call 01274 674 584.
Places on the coach will cost £15 per adult and £10 per under 18.
Bradford (Park Avenue) crashed out of the FA Cup with a frustrating home defeat to Morpeth Town.
Riccardo Calder had equalised after Joe Walton opened the scoring, but new signing Dan Sweeney missed a crucial chance, with Sean Reid firing the visitors in front moments later.
Josh Heaton was sent off for two yellow cards just after the hour, and Reid fired his second from the resulting free-kick to sink Bradford. Walton added his second late on before Brad Dockerty – who twice struck the woodwork – added a consolation, his third goal in three games.
Avenue were afforded a great chance to open the scoring with less than five minutes on the clock, as the referee adjudged Morpeth to have played a backpass, but from the indirect free-kick Calder could only fire the ball over the bar.
And with their first foray into Bradford’s third, the visitors took the lead through Sean Reid.
Captain Wayne Phillips played in Liam Henderson, who controlled the ball and managed to hold off both Mitch Lund and Rhys Taylor, before finding Joe Walton who finished confidently into the bottom corner.
Calder was causing a lot of problems down the left, and he got on the end of a long ball, his near post effort well saved by Dan Lowson.
Moments later, Avenue struck the woodwork through the in-form Brad Dockerty. He picked up a pass from Marcus Wood and worked some space in the area, his low, left-footed strike cannoning off the foot of the post.
And finally all Avenue’s possession and pressure paid off as Calder levelled the scores on the end of a fantastic move.
Bradford advanced down the left and the full-back played a brilliant one-two with Sweeney before finishing brilliantly into the bottom corner with a powerful finish.
Sweeney should have doubled the advantage with Avenue on top, Alex Hurst doing brilliantly down the left before cutting back for the Solihull loanee, but he planted his first time finish wide of the post from just six yards out.
Just three minutes later, Bradford were made to pay as Morpeth regained the lead. Sean Taylor picked up a loose ball on the right and delivered a teasing cross to the back post which Reid powered into the net with his head.
Avenue had the first sniff of a second half which started much scrappier than the first, Lewis Knight latching on to Hurst’s ball over the top, but a good tackle from Chris Reid denied the shooting opportunity.
And from the resulting free kick, Reid brilliantly fired the ball into the top corner, giving Taylor absolutely no chance.
The goal and sending off killed off Avenue’s hopes of a comeback, with quality dropping as Marcus Law threw players on chasing a goal.
Dockerty struck the post for the second time with just over five minutes to play, getting in on the right with his shot across goal tipped onto the woodwork, before Ryan Cresswell completely fluffed the rebound.
The visitors then struck the frame of the goal themselves, as Taylor beat away Shabz Mohammed’s free kick, with Jack Foalle heading the loose ball onto the bar.
Walton added his second and his side’s fourth with two minutes to play, taking aim from range with his shot possibly taking a deflection which wrong-footed Taylor and saw the ball nestle in the bottom corner.
Pretty much straight from kick-off, Avenue pulled one back, Dockerty doing well on the left before angling a shot into the corner across the goal with his weaker foot, but it was a mere consolation.
Bradford (Park Avenue): Taylor, Bazeley, Calder, Wood (c, Holmes 67), Lund, Heaton, Knight (Cresswell 74), Marriott (Johnson 69), Sweeney, Hurst, Dockerty
Subs not used: Gibbons, Bennett, Moran
Goals: Calder (25), Dockerty (89)
Booked: Heaton (55), Lund (86), Hurst (90+1)
Sent off: Heaton (63)
Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, C.Reid (Mohammed 55), Phillips (c), J.Henderson, Turner, Taylor, Hodgson, L.Henderson (Foalle 72), S.Reid (McKeown 78), Walton
Subs not used: Harmison, Potter, Giles, Wilson
Goals: Walton (9, 88), S.Reid (35, 65)
Referee: Matt Scholes
Attendance: 217
Words: Joe Cockburn
Image: John Rhodes
Bradford (Park Avenue) have completed the signing of Dan Sweeney on loan from Solihull Moors.
Sweeney, who can operate either as a striker or a winger, joins on an initial one-month loan deal from the National League side.
The 21-year-old joined Solihull last summer, scoring just four minutes into his debut for the Moors.
He spent time on loan at Hednesford Town and Leamington, after graduating from the Kidderminster Harriers academy.
Dan goes straight into Marcus Law’s squad for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Morpeth Town at the Horsfall Stadium.
Meanwhile, central defender Nelson Digbeu has left the club. We would like to place on record our thanks to Nelson for all his efforts in an Avenue shirt, and wish him all the best for the future.
