Following consecutive away fixtures, Bradford Park Avenue return to Horsfall Stadium this Saturday 8th of December to kick off the festive season sitting TOP of National League north and ready to party with all comers.

At their last outing on home turf back in Mid-November, the Horsfall faithful and a number of Football fans from other great Yorkshire clubs were treated to a special international break weekend when Mark Bowers team showed all the character and pluck that has carried them up to the top of the league, storming back from a 2-0 deficit to take all three points with 3 stunning strikes in the final 6 minutes.

That result sees BPA sit top on 37 points, 3 points clear of high flying Chorley, with clubs the size and ilk of Chester, Telford, Altrincham and Spenymoor all chasing the Bradfordians .

Bradford Park Avenue Chairman Gareth Roberts had the following to say about the growing number of local sports fans who are getting behind the club in this exciting time :

“The Bradford Park Avenue board and volunteers have launched new initiatives leading into this weekends big match V Southport in a bid to thank the supporters of Bradford City, Huddersfield Town, Halifax FC, Leeds Utd, Thackley FC and Brighouse Town, among many others including Bradford Bulls and Cleckheaton Rugby fans, for supporting us as neighbours“

Roberts added :

“We’re not a large club but we are powered by a very hard working and proud group of true Football Supporters and we are just really appreciative of the good wishes and parochial support shown to us by supporters of the larger clubs around and also our other non league family. We genuinely wish everyone the very best for their club this weekend as most are all playing away, and we invite those supporters unable to travel to support their club to come down to Horsfall, try the famous Chips and Gravy and our supporter club bar, and enjoy a very proper non league football experience with a team that is truly giving us something we are very proud of“

To make it an easier decision for locals to come down and visit Horsfall this Saturday the club are offering FREE entry to all children 16 years and under when accompanied by an adult.

Other promotions and features on the day are :-

• All Children 16 and under FREE with paying adult or club season ticket holder
• All season ticket holders from any sports club will receive 3 bottled beers (Coors and Magners) for the price of 2 on presentation of your season ticket
• GIN BAR with a wide range of Gins and mixers
• Score updates from all matches involving local clubs will be provided throughout the afternoon and match
• Horsfall’s Famous Chips and Gravy on sale all day in The Avenue kiosk
• Great range of craft Saltaire brewery beers
• Kids and families can stretch their legs in the open spaces around Horsfall, sit under cover in the main stand, join the Bus Shelter home fans the behind goal, watch score updates in the warm clubhouse, or stand close to the action on the pavilion side, all with a beer, wine or cider or of course hot drink.
• Parking available on site for just £2
• After match drinks and chat with players and manager in clubhouse for Man of the Match presentation
• One of the best ground PA soundtracks ever conceived
• Half season tickets available for purchase on the day

Prices and full event details are :-

Kick Off:

3pm | 08/12/18

Address:

Horsfall Stadium
Cemetery Road
Bradford
BD6 2NG

Click Here To Find Us On Google Maps

Admission Prices:

Adult – £12
Concession – £9
Student – £7
Under-16 – £2 (Free if accompanied by an adult)

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Today’s trip to New Bucks Head provides a perfect opportunity for Bradford (Park Avenue) to bounce back from last week’s humbling at the hands of Altrincham.

AFC Telford United have emerged as one of the most dangerous sides in the Vanarama National League North this season, rising to 3rd under the tutelage of former Bucks player Gavin Cowan.

Bradford will be welcoming a return to league action after the FA Trophy exit and will be reassured by the fact that they remain top of the division. Mark Bower’s side haven’t lost a league game since the 13th October, beating the likes of Chorley and York City in a remarkable ascension to the summit.

AFC Telford also embarked on an unbeaten run in league throughout November and advanced in the FA Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Darlington last week.

GUIDE TO THE OPPOSITION:

The Gaffer:

Gavin Cowan

The 37-year-old stepped into management in May this year, replacing Rob Edwards as Bucks boss. As a player, he represented Shrewsbury in the Football League but spent most of his career in non-league, enjoying spells with the likes of Braintree Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Nuneaton Borough and AFC Telford United.

Ones To Watch:

Amari Morgan-Smith

A tricky forward with an eye for goal, Morgan-Smith is certainly one for opposition defences to keep an eye on. He made the switch to New Bucks Head in February from league rivals York City and has proved to be a key asset for the club. The 29-year-old provided the winning goal on Telford’s last league outing, against F.C United of Manchester, and will be keen to add to his tally today. The former England C international was plying his trade in League One as recently as the 2014/15 season and spent the first half of the 2016/17 campaign in League Two with Cheltenham Town.

Yusifu Ceesay

The pacey 23-year-old was added to AFC Telford’s squad yesterday completing a loan move from Blackpool. A direct winger, he could be in line to make his Bucks debut against Bradford today.

Bradford (Park Avenue)’s attention has switched to the Buildbase FA Trophy in preparation for their first involvement in the competition this season.

Altrincham will provide the opposition on Saturday and Bradford will be aware of the threat they pose, despite leading Phil Parkinson’s outfit by six points in the league.
Not only will Mark Bower’s side have their sights set on reaching the next round, they will be keen to exact revenge on the Robins after they exited the Emirates FA Cup at their hands in October. Jake Beesley converted a penalty and Shane Killock also notched but a clinical Altrincham carved Bradford open on several occasions to claim a 4-2 victory.

The two sides also met in league action at the Horsfall Stadium back in September. Killock and Conor Branson struck to overturn an early deficit, but John Johnston and Max Harrop etched their names on the scoresheet to leave Bradford empty-handed.

However, since the sides last met, Bradford have established themselves as the Vanarama National League North’s most in-form side. Last Saturday’s win over Ashton United extended the club’s unbeaten run to six matches and the West Yorkshire side are riding high on a wave of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s game.

After falling at the first hurdle last year, Bradford will be desperate to overcome Altrincham and take a step towards Wembley.

GUIDE TO THE OPPOSITION:

The Gaffer:

Phil Parkinson
Parkinson was appointed as Robins manager in April 2017. He joined the club from Nantwich Town, who he had been in charge of since February 2015. During his time with the Dabbers, he guided the club to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2016 and the semi-finals of the Northern Premier League play-offs in 2017, An FA-Vase winning captain as a player with Nantwich, he also represented Port Vale after having spells with Crewe Alexandra and Reading as a youth player.

One To Watch:

Jordan Hulme
Hulme is undoubtedly one of the division’s most potent forwards. The clinical finisher has found the back of the net on ten occasions in the league already, picking up where he left off last season when he was the Robins’ top-scorer. He was also crowned the Northern Premier League Player of the Year after breaking the 30-goal barrier. The forward worked with management duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at Ramsbottom United and Salford City before making the move to the J. Davidson Stadium in July 2017.

Bradford (Park Avenue) host Ashton United on Saturday and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches.

At the time of writing, Bradford sit top of the Vanarama National League North and will be full of confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash with lowly Ashton.

The Robins may occupy 19th place in the league table but defeated Guiseley on their last outing, three days after securing a credible draw with Boston United. However, the high-flying hosts will be boosted by the return of duo Danny Lowe and Chris Dawson, who have both been sidelined by injuries in recent weeks.

Mark Bower was frustrated to see his side held by Curzon Ashton on Saturday but highlighted the importance of keeping things in perspective:

“We’re doing really well. We dipped below the standards we’ve set recently against Curzon but Saturday gives us a good opportunity to get back up to those levels and we can hopefully get back to winning ways.

“It’s really nice to be top of the league. We went to Curzon less than two years ago and we were rock bottom of the league and in need of a good run to save us from relegation. It’s nice for people that follow the club, put their and effort into the club and put money into the club to see us at the top of the league. It won’t make any difference to us as a group of players and management but it is something that no one expected of us.

“I don’t think many other teams think that we’re that sort of team so it’s nice to prove people wrong and we’ve done that.”

The club are looking at running a supporters coach to Altrincham FC Saturday 24th November. Seats cost £12 for adults and £6 for under 16’s and pick up times are still to be confirmed.

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the supporters information desk in the clubhouse or contact him on 07811959003.

Photo: John Rhodes

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce that forward Lewis Knight has signed a new contract with the club.

The 20-year-old’s new deal will run until the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

A summer signing, the former Leeds United prodigy has made an impressive start to the season and has been crucial in Bradford’s ascent to second place in the Vanarama National League North.

He initially joined the club as a trialist, but Mark Bower moved quickly to secure his services after a string of outstanding displays during pre-season. The pacey marksman endured a lengthy wait to receive international clearance but eventually made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Stockport County in August.

Knight has been operating on the flank in recent weeks, registering several assists and helping the club move within four goals of top spot.

He had this to say after putting pen to paper on the new deal:

“I’m really happy to have signed a new contract. The past few weeks have been incredible, not only for myself but for the team. We now have to continue this fine form and make sure that we’re up near the top at the end of the season.”

Due to a number of requests the club are looking at running a supporters coach to Curzon Ashton Saturday 10th November. Seats cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 16’s and pick up times are still to be confirmed.

To book your seat please contact Neil Fawcett on 07811 959003

Photo: John Rhodes

Bradford (Park Avenue) face York City today, who head into the fixture after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Bradford’s Yorkshire counterparts were swept aside by Spennymoor Town in midweek, just days after losing to AFC Telford United.

Mark Bower will be hoping to face a deflated York side, who trail Bradford by eight points in twelfth place. He is a well-known figure among York supporters after enjoying two loan spells at Bootham Crescent during his playing career. It will be the second consecutive game to pit the Bradford boss against one his former clubs following the visit of Darlington in midweek.

The two sides last met in January and the Citizens came out on top thanks to strikes from veteran forward Jon Parkin and winger Amari Morgan-Smith. 

Bower will be hoping for a different result today but is aware that York boss Sam Collins may ring the changes after recent defeats:

“I know they’ve tinkered with formations this season and after losing to Spennymoor they’ll probably be looking to change things.

“It’s a great one for our lads. It’s great to go to a club like York, where there should be a decent crowd in, and play with no pressure. We can go and enjoy ourselves, express ourselves, and if we play the way we’re capable of, we give ourselves a chance of getting a result.”

GUIDE TO THE OPPONENTS:

The Gaffer:

Sam Collins

The 41-year-old was handed the reigns following a spell as caretaker manager. A former centre-back, he made over 200 appearances for Hartlepool United and also represented Huddersfield Town, Bury, Port Vale, Hull City and Swindon Town. Collins also enjoyed a spell with Bradford City as a coach, where he worked to develop the club’s young professionals. 

One To Watch:

Sean Newton

The 30-year-old is the club’s captain and is an integral part of Sam Collins’ squad. A versatile defender, he joined the club from Wrexham in 2017 following a successful loan spell. He began his career with Chester City and has represented the likes of Droylsden, AFC Telford United, Stockport County, Lincoln City and Notts County throughout his career. 

Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Mark bower will be live on Talksport 2 today from 11:15. Tune in for the latest on Bradford Park Avenue, news, team talk and much much more.

We also hope to get a recording of the interview and will get this published for those who miss the live interview.