18 Oct 2019

Match Preview: Gloucester (A)

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Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Gloucester City this Saturday looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season.

Returning manager Mark Bower oversaw the club’s first home win of the season in his first game back in charge at the club, thanks to a 3-2 victory over Hereford at the Horsfall Stadium.

Lewis Knight, Dan Sweeney and Adam Nowakowski found the net in the victory which also marked the first time Avenue had scored more than once in a league game this term.

For Sweeney, it was his first goal since joining on loan from Solihull, while Nowakowski also marked his return to the club by opening the scoring inside 10 minutes.

Joe Green, another of Bower’s four-player haul ahead of his first game back, impressed at the other end with a string of fine saves and excellent handling to make sure of the three points.

Victory over Hereford also moved Bradford out of the bottom two, and further points at Gloucester could see them overtake Curzon Ashton into 19th place.

After being on the end of an FA Cup upset against a depleted Whitby Town last week, Gloucester were defeated at Gateshead in their second trip to the North East in two weekends.

Their home form has been commendable however, with three wins out of four in the league at their temporary Evesham base – with only a close 3-2 defeat to table toppers York tarnishing that record.

Avenue will be without Marcus Wood for the long trip down the M6, as he has left to join Southport, while it remains to be seen if Bower will add any fresh faces ahead of the contest.

You can join Avenue for the match with spaces still available on the official coach. Click here for more info.

Recent League Form

Bradford (Park Avenue)
Hereford (H) W 3-2
Brackley Town (A) L 0-8
Spennymoor Town (H) D 1-1
Boston United (A) L 1-2
Farsley Celtic (H) L 0-3

Gloucester City
Gateshead (A) L 0-1
Guiseley (H) W 3-1
King’s Lynn Town (A) D 2-2
Darlington (H) W 2-1
AFC Telford United (A) L 3-4

Last Time Out

Bradford (Park Avenue): Green, Lund, Priestley, Lowe (c), Hughes, Heaton, Knight (Bazeley 90), Agustien (Marriott 70), Sweeney (Johnson 90), Hurst, Nowakowski

Gloucester City: Bradley-Hurst; Hamilton, Harper, Harrison (Smith, 30’), Avery (c), Russe, Parker, Hanks, Jackson, Kotwica, Robert (Myrie-Williams, 65’)

Admission Prices
Adult – £13
Concession (OAP, Student) – £8
Under-15 – £3
Under-12 – FREE

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17 Oct 2019

New Academy Website Launched

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As part of a modernisation of the club’s online presence, we are proud to announce the launch of a new website for the club’s Academy.

The aim of the new website is to work as a hub to attract young prospects to the club, but will also be utilised to keep supporters up to date with academy progress.

Speaking about the website, Des Hazel, the club’s Head of Youth Development and Recruitment said:

It’s a big step forward in terms of recruiting the best prospects from within the local catchment area, but also to those further afield. With the potential to follow a pathway to progress into semi-professional football it’s important that we get this message across and that we not only deliver, but look the part too.

The website, which will be developed further over time will be the source for all academy updates going forwards, but will also integrate with the first team website, allowing supporters to access all Avenue news in one place.

The website can be viewed at www.avenueacademy.co.uk and was built in house at the club, saving considerably on costs in relation to using a third party supplier.

The club can also confirm that work is underway to redevelop the first team website.

Associate General Manager Carl Marsden Said:

The website [referring to bpafc.com] was originally developed some time ago, and as technology has advanced, we’ve been some what left behind in terms of design and functionality.

As a club, our image is everything, it’s how we attract new supporters through the gate, as well as how we attract sponsors.

Further to this announcement, the club is happy to announce the addition of two more volunteers to the media team, including the return of Ben Harvey, who will assist in the day to day maintenance of the club’s website and media presence.

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17 Oct 2019

ACADEMY TRIALS | October Half Term 2019

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Bradford (Park Avenue) are looking for the next generation of footballers to join the Academy for the 2020/21 season, as well as candidates to join our Under 19’s squad this season.

The club will be running trials for the academy and Under 19’s side this October half term at the University of Bradford training facility behind the Laisteridge Lane Student Village.

The trials will take place at 9am on the 28th of October 2019.

Address:

Laisteridge Lane Student Village Bradford
Laisteridge Lane,
Bradford,
BD5 0NH

To sign up for a trial, fill out the form below:

[contact-form-7]

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15 Oct 2019

Wood Departs Club

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Following an official approach, Marcus Wood has opted to leave the club and join Southport.

Wood is no stranger to Southport after spending 6 months of last season on loan from Bolton.

Bradford (Park Avenue) would like to thank Marcus for his efforts during his time with the club and wish him all the best for the future.

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15 Oct 2019

Bucket Collection Update: Hereford

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Last week saw Bradford (Park Avenue) launch a new charitable campaign in association with the Horsfall Trust.

The campaign features a nominated charity every home game and aims to raise awareness of the charity.

At Saturday’s home match against Hereford we ran our first bucket collection and we are delighted to announce that we received £84.91 in donations. The donations will be equally split between the Horsfall Community Trust and the National League endorsed Prostate Cancer UK’s Manarama. The charity launched the Drive to Save Lives scheme and aims to raise vital funds to help stop the disease killing one man every 45 minutes.

At the game there were also pin badges and wristbands available to purchase with the full amount going to Prostate Cancer UK. Limited badges are still available and they will be on sale at our next home match against Southport on 26 Saturday October.

We would like to thank supporters for their generosity and especially the volunteers who gave up their time to help a fantastic cause.

As a club we are asking for supporters to get involved with the scheme by suggesting charities. If you would like to nominate a charity, please email info@bpafc.com with the name of the charity you would like to nominate and a brief explanation of the type of work the charity does and why you feel the charity deserves support.

We would also be very grateful for any volunteers to help with the collection of donations at our forthcoming home games. This is a vital aspect of the scheme and we really appreciate any support and truly makes a difference in the local community.

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15 Oct 2019

Last Chance To Pre-Order New Avenue Book

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Today is the last day to pre-order Diary of a Lost Cause – Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 1966-1970

‘Diary of a Lost Cause – Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 1966-1970’, records the final four years of the club in the Football League.

Covering all the day to day news, match reports, statistics, analysis and opinion, it also contains substantial present-day interviews with personalities involved at the time. These include former Avenue player and Director of Football Terry Dolan, Kenny Hibbitt who had a very full playing career and became a legend at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bobby Ham who served both Bradford clubs with distinction, and the late captain and manager Don McCalman, amongst many others. Each of these Avenue men have their own tale to tell which reveals an unfolding human story among all the strife.

A limited edition, it is available only through ordering in advance. To ensure you don’t miss this opportunity for an early Christmas present, for details email j.charnock@btinternet.com or write to the author, Jeremy Charnock, at 22 Rylands Avenue, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16 3NJ. Names of subscribers will be printed in each copy and a launch night is expected in November. The price of the book in hardback format is £25 (+£5 postage where applicable) for around 400 pages of nostalgia.

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14 Oct 2019

Fundraising Committee Meeting – 16th October

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Following the initial meeting last week, there will be a follow up meeting for the fundraising committee on Wednesday 16th of October, here at the Horsfall Stadium.

The meeting will commence at 7pm in the club house and is for the purpose of confirming members of the committee and the allocation of duties.

The club would like to invite anyone wishing to be involved with the committee to attend the meeting or email info@bpafc.com.

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14 Oct 2019

UPDATED: Away Travel for Gloucester City

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The club will be running a coach for our away trip to Gloucester City AFC on Saturday 19th of October.

Departure times for the coach are:

Horsfall Stadium – 9:15 AM

Cedar Court Hotel – 9:30 AM

Prices for the coach are:

Adults – £15

Under 18’s – £10

Supporters wishing to travel need to book their place by Friday afternoon by emailing info@bpafc.com.

Photo: Lewis Knight and supporters celebrate following his goal vs Hereford. Credit: John Rhodes

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13 Oct 2019

Half time draw results – Hereford

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The winning tickets from yesterday’s half time draw are:

426 Green.

191 Yellow.

931 Green.

You can enter the half time draw for just £1 at any home game by seeing one of our ticket sellers by the gate when you arrive.

If you have a winning ticket and are yet to claim, simply bring the ticket with you to the next home game and see Trevor at the main gate.

Avenue are next at home to Southport on October 26th. K.O. 3pm

Photo: Sweeney nets his first goal at home to Hereford. Credit: John Rhodes

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12 Oct 2019

MATCH REPORT | Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC 3 – 2 Hereford FC

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Bradford (Park Avenue) collect all three points in Mark Bower’s return to the Horsfall Stadium.

With a number of changes to the Avenue line-up, including a couple of familiar faces returning to Horsfall, positivity seemed to be instilled in the team right from the kick-off. Bradford had a number of early free kicks, most of which were well saved by Brandon Hall, the Hereford goalkeeper.

However, in the 9th minute Lewis Knight broke though before being brought down outside of the area by Hereford goalkeeper, Hall who was booked and there was another Bradford free kick to follow. The effort hit the wall and a scramble in the box lead to a chance for Adam Nowakowski who showed great composure to slot it low and under the left of keepers outstretched leg, giving Avenue the lead early on.

Both sides spent the next ten minutes trying to get the ball down and under possession, however neither could confidently retain the ball for a prolonged spell. In the 22nd minute Alex Hurst burst down the left wing and curled a fantastic cross into the back post where Lewis Knight was waiting to loop the ball over and around hall, finding the net to extend the Bradford lead to 2-0.

Hereford then started to grow into the game and following a series of corners found themselves with a chance for Tom Owen-Evans as he broke in behind the Avenue defence, only to be brought down by Green resulting in a penalty to Hereford. Tommy O’Sullivan stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched it well past Joe Green, Avenue’s lead cut to 2-1, which it remained until the half time interval.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Avenue found themselves with a penalty of their own when Mitch Lund’s effort was well saved but Dan Sweeney was on the stop ready to score the rebound when he was dragged down. Sweeney took the penalty and slotted it low to the goalkeepers left, again extending Bradford’s lead to 2 goals, 3-1.

Just before the hour mark, a bouncing ball in Avenues box lead to a chance for Hereford and the scorer of their penalty, Tommy O’Sullivan, grabbed himself a brace, making it 3-2 after smashing in the loose ball.

With over half an hour left for Avenue to hold on to their lead they could not just sit back and had to push to extend their lead again. Sweeney had a couple of half chances, one coming from a long kick from Joe Green who provided great distribution all afternoon and was in fantastic form guarding his area.

After Hereford’s second goal they struggled to create another clear chance as Green and the Avenue defence held strong and dominated aerial balls in and around the area.

The sound of the referees full time whistle was greeted by ecstatic celebrations from the Avenue’s fans, a perfect way for Mark Bower to announce his return to the club.

Line Up:

Joe Green

Mitch Lund

Keith Lowe (C)

Liam Hughes

Josh Heaton

Lewis Knight (90’ for Iasiah Bazeley)

Germaine Agustien (70’ for Isaac Marriot)

Dan Sweeney (90’ for Andre Johnson)

Alex Hurst

Adam Nowakowski

Subs

Iasiah Bazeley (90’)

Isaac Marriot (70’)

Jon Moran

Andre Johnson (90’)

Brad Dockerty

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