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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16 Mar 2020

Bradford (Park Avenue) Sportsman Dinner Postponed

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Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic the Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund have all agreed to postpone the upcoming sportsman’s dinner.

The dinner which was originally to be held Friday 27th March will now go ahead Friday 9th October. The decision to postponed the event hasn’t been taken lightly but public health and safety has to come first.

Anyone who has purchased a ticket can use this at the rearranged event. Alternatively if you would like a refund please contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

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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

Message From Horsfall Community Trust Trustee Keith Denison

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On Saturday 21st March I will be participating in a Sponsored Walk from Horsfall to Nethermoor, Guiseley. The distance is approximately 12 miles. This coincides with Bradford’s away fixture that day at Guiseley.

All funds raised will be split equally between the Bradford Park Avenue Development Fund and The Horsfall Community Trust.

Currently there are just three of us walking but we are hoping to raise in the region of £2000. If achieved, and I would be disappointed if it wasn’t, that would be £1000 each for the club and Trust.

If you would be prepared to sponsor me that would be much appreciated. Please note you can sponsor per mile or a fixed amount. The latter seems the most popular method. If you would like to sponsor me please see me a tomorrows game.

As far as the Trust is concerned raising funds is vital to ensure we maintain sufficient reserves to meet costs. Income from grants whilst welcome does not cover all our expenditure.

Regards

Keith

P.S. Incidentally if anyone would like to join the walk please let me know. You would be most welcome.

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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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10 Mar 2020

Cricket Legend Geoff Miller OBE To Host Bradford (Park Avenue) Annual Sportsman Evening

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The Bradford (Park Avenue) Development fund are please to announce full details for the upcoming sportsman evening on Friday 27th March.

The event will be headlined by Cricket legend Geoff Miller OBE and promises to be a fantastic evening raising vital funds for the club.

Geoff Miller OBE is quite simply one of the most respected figures in English cricket. After an accomplished playing career with his native Derbyshire, Essex and, of course, at Test level with England, playing in 34 Tests and 25 ODIs, he became the first man to be appointed to the chief position of National Selector in 2008.

Over the following five years, Geoff’s wise selection policy and choices led England on an incredible run of three successive Ashes victories and to the pinnacle of the world Test rankings before he finally retired in late 2013. He has been President of Derbyshire County Cricket Club since 2014 and now devotes considerable time to both motivational and after dinner speaking. His lifelong experience of cricket, both on the field and behind the scenes, makes him one of the most knowledgeable characters in the game, with more than a few tales to tell.

Geoff will be supported by comedian Barry York and we hope to have a number of ex Avenue players present on the evening. The 3-course meal is Tomato & basil soup, chicken (halal available) with bacon wrap with mash potatoes and seasonal veg followed by apple pie/custard, a vegetarian option is available. We will also have stand up bingo, raffle and auction to support the evening.

Tickets are £37.50 per person, £350 for a table of 10 or £400 for a table of 12.

The club have secured overnight B & B accommodation at the Midland at a reduced rate of £50 for a single room or £60 for a twin/double for those that wish to stop over.

For further details or to purchase a ticket please see the Supporters Information Desk in the Clubhouse on match day. Alternatively contact Dave Stordy on 01274 512989 or davestordy@hotmail.co.uk

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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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