The Avenue play host to Halesowen Town in the first round of the FA Trophy this weekend in what is an important game for both sides.

Bradford are coming into the fixture off the back of an important victory last weekend against Altrincham, winning 2-0 at home against one of the league’s in form sides and return home to the Horsfall Stadium this weekend to play hosts once again.

Halesowen, meanwhile, are on a brilliant run of form — being awarded club of the month for the Southern League Central — due to their streak of seven wins out of seven in which they scored 23 goals and conceded just one.

Halesowen come into the cup tie sitting third in their respective division despite the fact that they have played multiple games less than the teams around them and occupy games in hand which, if won, could push them to the top of the table.

Coming into last weekend, the Avenue were without a win in their last six league games, but that bad run of form was put to an end with a 2-0 victory over Altrincham at home courtesy of goals from home debutant Tom Clare and Oli Johnson, and despite the results – are starting to show the performances, that got them into the playoffs last season. Halesowen, meanwhile, are also trending in a very positive direction, without a loss in twelve, with their last three victories combining for a score of 13-0.

Both teams secured qualification into the FA Trophy with hard fought victories – Avenue winning their final qualification game 2-0 away at Gloucester City, while Halesowen secured their qualification with a 1-0 win at home to Gateshead and will be hoping to extend their stay in the competition with a victory here.

It all makes for what should be a very fun and entertaining game at the Horsfall Stadium.

Season tickets do not apply as this is a cup game. No ticket required just pay on the turnstiles. 

Match day prices are as follows:
Adults – £10
Concessions/Students – £8
Under 17’s – £1

Former Bradford (Park Avenue) players attended the successful launch of a new book at Horsfall stadium on Friday evening.

In attendance were Bill Barnes, Terry Dolan, Peter Brannan, Colin Penrose, Allan Ham and Kevin Hudson, as subscribers to the book turned out in force to receive their copies of ‘Diary Of A Lost Cause – Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 1966-1970’.

In an evening high on nostalgia, with many a memory shared as supporters also looked to the future with optimism for the current club, a notable highlight was the showing of archive footage from the Avenue versus Doncaster Rovers match at the former Park Avenue ground in 1968.

Anyone missing out on the evening will be pleased to know that copies of the book, which charts the club’s relegation from the Football League almost fifty years ago, will be available from the Supporters Information Desk and Club Shop at the FA Trophy game on Saturday.

Early comments by subscribers include from Stephen Tordoff:

“Enjoying the book immensely”

This line-up of Avenue personalities from fifty years ago shows (left to right):

Bill Barnes, Colin Penrose, Roger Banks, Kevin Hudson, Terry Dolan, Peter Brannan and Allan Ham

Roger Banks is the only non-player, Roger being a member of the appeal committee in 1968. Kevin Hudson (brother of Gary Hudson) and Allan Ham (brother of Bobby Ham) were reserve team players who didn’t actually make the Football League side, though Allan did play for Avenue in the Northern Premier League.

National League North Manager of the Month

Ian Culverhouse (King’s Lynn Town)

You’re coming into a new league and every away game feels like a million miles away.

King’s Lynn Town’s fans and players surely had modest ambitions when they clambered into the National League North at the end of last season.

Some supporters were just focused on staying in the league for a second season.
Now there’s a real chance they may only be around for one year – and leaving via the right end!

Ian Culverhouse has guided the club to the top of the table with five wins out of six last month – and they can’t stop scoring.

There’s nothing quite like keeping the home fans happy – Lynn now haven’t lost a game at The Walks for nearly 15 months.

These Linnets aren’t just here to make up the numbers!

National League North Player of the Month

Adam Marriott (King’s Lynn Town)

Add up the goals Mohammed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Alexandre Lacazette have got this season and what do you get?

The answer? Still not as many goals as King’s Lynn Town forward Adam Marriott!

In fact, the prolific Linnets man has outscored every other player in England’s top seven leagues.

What’s more, without his goals, King’s Lynn would be seven points lighter and down in fourth place in the National League North.

Marriott’s nine goals in November helped his side to wins against Kidderminster Harriers, Bradford (Park Avenue), Leamington, Southport and Gateshead after starting the month with a draw against Altrincham.

This month’s haul took his personal goal tally for the season to 20. To put that into perspective, last season’s Golden Boot winner Glen Taylor only hit 21 all season.

National League North Volunteer of the Month

Mark Walton (Gateshead)

As any National League volunteer will tell you, you usually have your fingers in plenty of pies throughout the week.

And that’s no different for Gateshead’s marvellous Mark Walton.
Mark has been a regular helper behind the scenes at his hometown team for over 20 years.

As well as aiding the kit man and making sure the players have everything they need on matchday, Mark also helps the club’s ball boys and operates the electronic scoreboard.

It’s not just the players that Mark helps out either. He also lends a helping hand away from the field to ensure things run like clockwork on a matchday for the club’s hospitality guests.

Like many teams below the Football League, it’s a team effort at Gateshead – and with the club pinning their hopes on a play-off push this season, people like Mark really make all the difference.

Bradford (Park Avenue) Development Fund will be hosting their annual programme and badge fair on Sunday 8th December 2019.

Entry will be £1 for adults and free for children, with the fair open from 10am until 1pm in the Clubhouse and refreshments will be available.

The launch of the new book ‘Diary of a Lost Cause – Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 1966-1970’ will take place in the clubroom at Horsfall stadium on the evening of Friday 6th December.

The event will commence at 7.30pm with the bar open from 7 till 10pm.

While enabling subscribers to collect their copy of the book, there will also be extra copies available to purchase as Christmas approaches.

With a number of former players expected, this promises to be an evening to remember and is open to all supporters and well-wishers to attend.

Copies of the book, which chronicles the last four years of the club in the Football League to coincide with the 50th anniversary of their failure to be re-elected in May next year, will also be available from the Supporters’ Club shop at Horsfall stadium and Waterstones.

As the festive season gets into full swing Bradford (Park Avenue) asks supporters to spare a thought for those less fortunate.

The club has held a number of collections over the years to support our local food bank at Wyke and has a permanent collection point in the clubhouse where supporters can make donations.

All donations from both home and away supporters will be gratefully received and are to be placed in the collection bin next to the supporters information desk in the clubhouse.

Please see below a list of items most needed: