With the confirmation of Alex Hurst’s transfer to EFL League Two club Port Vale released over the weekend, Bradford (Park Avenue) can now confirm further details on the deal.

The two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the highly rated teenager with a condition that the 19-year-old will stay at Horsfall Stadium until at least the start the of the January transfer window, meaning he will remain a key member Garry Thompson’s squad for the 2019/20 season.

The signing confirms Park Avenue’s ability to recruit and develop young talent with their extensive scouting network both in the UK and USA as club owner Gareth Roberts explains, “Alex has shown that there is a development pathway here at Park Avenue. “This move is a case study of the model that we are developing at the club. “The key to this deal was getting Alex back at Horsfall. We are thankful to Port Vale for the flexibility they have shown. “Alex is hopefully just the start as we aim to continue to find untapped talent.”

Port Vale’s first team coach Danny Pugh was at Park Avenue’s game with Huddersfield Town last Tuesday night with the midfielder having already trained with the Valiants during pre-season. He also featured in the friendlies at Leek Town and Nottingham Forest reserves.

Park Avenue manager Garry Thompson, who played nearly all his career in League football acknowledged its a big opportunity for Hurst saying, “Alex has done fantastically well and as a club we’re delighted for him to have got the move to play professionally but also that he can come back and play for us. He’s worked hard and deserves everything he’s got. Whilst we naturally want to keep our best players, the transfer shows that we are committed to developing talent but also won’t stand in anyone’s way to progress.”

Picture credit Tom Pearson 

Having played nearly 500 career games, scoring over 100 goals across a 20 year career, its fair to say Garry Thompson knows a thing or two about how best to enjoy a long and successful career as a footballer. 

Now, as he embarks on a new chapter in his life as manager of Bradford (Park Avenue) we caught up with him ahead of his first ever competitive game. With kick off against Curzon Ashton only hours away, he acknowledges the last few weeks have been an enjoyable whirlwind:

“To say I am excited is an understatement! We’ve all been so busy preparing for the game that there has really been no time for me to get nervous or for the reality to sink in that this will be my first official game in charge. 

“The lads laughed in our last training session on Thursday as I must have said how exciting the game was about 50 times but at the same time make no mistakes, we are fully prepared and ready for the occasion.”

Every since Garry and his assistant Shaun Gardner were announced as the new management duo at Horsfall, their feet haven’t touched the ground. So how pleased has he been with pre-season?

“I’m very delighted with how the last few months have gone and I’m very happy with the signings Shaun and myself have managed to recruit. 

“We have focussed on attracting the right characters that mirror our own personalities. Hard work, determination and character are the attributes that Bradford Park Avenue fans can expect from our team this season. 

Having played as a professional himself for so long, Garry admits the club’s focus on finding and developing talent is something that appealed to him upon joining the club

“If I can use my experience to help guide and develop players then that would give me a huge sense of achievement. Fans will have to accept that if it’s our model, we can’t stand in the way of players that we bring in and then hopefully sell them on to clubs in higher leagues. 

“Pre-season has been a challenge that we have thoroughly enjoyed. From arriving at the club with only two contracted players to having to learn a whole new side of the industry such as dealing with agents and players has been interesting. But we have only had support and good advice from the owners and staff here. 

“They have guided us and enabled us to gain experience in dealing with new aspects of the game so we’d like to thank them for that.  

“It’s been my first pre-season as both a manager and player so not only have I had to organise the sessions for the players I’ve also had to join in with the running and still managed to beat most of the lads!

“But I’m only 100% positive in everything I do. Let’s hope everyone can get behind the cause and see how far we can go as group and as a football club.”

Having appeared in some of the recent friendlies as a player, the big question remains as to whether Garry himself will feature in today’s game or not but he is quite rightly keeping his cards close to his chest.

“When I took the job my first commitment was to make sure I only did what was right for the team. If this means playing a part on the field I will do so but it’s not about me or whether I play, it’s about winning football matches. We have built an exciting squad that’s full of energy and exuberance. If we play to our potential we’ll have a very competitive side. I didn’t think management would come so soon as it has in my career but I’m loving every minute of it.”

It’s also a big day for Garry’s number two, his long term friend and assistant manager Shaun Gardner, who will also play a key role as Garry explains, 

“It’s very rare you can say that you work with your best friend but I can say this with all sincerity. We get on so well together. 

“I fully value Shaun’s opinion as do the boys. He deserves full credit himself for the way he has trained and really embraced the role. I can’t think of a better player or person to have in the team. We’re all really looking forward to getting started and whatever happens it won’t be due to a lack of effort!”

If you want to wish Garry good luck on his first game in charge of Park Avenue, you can follow him on Twitter @g11klt or send a good luck message to him via info@bpafc.com or tweet @bpafcofficial 

Photo Credits: Tom Pearson.

Bradford (Park Avenue) have signed both Isaac Marriott and Jaheim Headley on season long loans for the 2019/20 season.

On his move to the Horsfall stadium, Isaac Marriott commented:

“I am delighted to join Bradford (Park Avenue) and am looking forward to the season ahead. It’s a great opportunity to play games, and I’m really excited about how well our team is going to do.”

During Huddersfield’s 2016/17 season, Marriott was one of the standout players for the Under-18’s playing in 27 of 29 games. He was also called up to play for the Under-23 side.

Marriott has experienced senior game time when he played for Brighouse Town in the 2017/18 season and won the ‘Player of the Month’ award during his first month at the club.

Jaheim Headley is a strong midfielder who has played for Huddersfield’s Under-17’s side.  He has shown great maturity and decision-making skills on the pitch which has earned him the opportunity to play senior football.

Born in London, Headley grew up playing at Millwall’s academy before moving north to Huddersfield Town.

Director Gareth Roberts said:

“Huddersfield has shown its’ confidence in the club and the system of development that we have established.”

“The club’s ties with Park Avenue and its’ directors both here and the United States is a testament to the quality of football we are committed to.”

Huddersfield’s Under-19’s manager Dean Whitehead praised the young players performances after the two-a-piece draw at Horsfall:

“The game was a real test for us, it was good to see Jaheim and Isaac playing well for them (Bradford Park Avenue).”

“Overall, our young lads are developing and learning more and more every single day, it is really, really pleasing.”

Rotherham full back Akeem Hinds has signed a loan deal to Bradford (Park Avenue) until January 2020. 

Hinds came up through the Rotherham academy where he was promoted to the senior squad and given his opportunity to break into the championship sides first team. He appeared twice in the Football League Trophy.

Hinds has had loan spells before, spending a year in the NPL Division One with Frickley Athletic and Hyde United where he appeared seven times in the league as well as appearing in the FA Cup.

Akeem Hinds Commented:

“I’m delightful to be joining Bradford Park Avenue and can’t wait to get going.
I played for about an hour at the Horsfall in pre-season and it was a tough game from our point of view, particularly in the second-half.”

 Hinds Continued:

“There are some talented and hardworking lads there who I’m looking forward to getting to know and I’ll be giving it my all whilst wearing the Park Avenue shirt.”

Akeem Hinds will be available for Garry Thompson to select for his squad in tomorrow’s League opener against Curzon Ashton.

Saturday 3^rd August

3:00pm kickoff

What does the new season hold for Bradford (Park Avenue)?

 A brand-new management team and squad that has a strangely exciting feel to it! Hopefully the team can start with a bang at Curzon and kick on from there.

There seems to be a much more community feel around the club this season, more than in previous years. How important is it to have someone like Garry Thompson at the helm who knows the city so well?

Very important. He knows the area and seems to understand what the fans are after in terms of players that will work hard and involvement with the fans. Hopefully having Garry at the helm will get more Bradford City fans through the gates too.

What bit of business has impressed you the most?

I’d probably say work that has been done by the club off the pitch, changes to the ground and some high-profile sponsors for the first time in years shows we are moving in the right direction.

It seems a long time since the season finished – what’s changed since then?

A lot! It’s hard to say with so much change but I’m not sure anything will really be the same. Hopefully we will still make the play-offs.

Who will catch the eye for you this season?

 Lewis Knight. I know he was at us last year too but he’s a quality player who will be massive again for Avenue this season.

Are there any stand-out candidates for promotion?

 It’s such an open league that anybody can be up there. Spennymoor would be my tip.

What away day are you most looking forward to?

Gateshead for the simple reason I’ve never been.

And what game would you like to win more than any other any why!

Guiseley away – always has a derby feeling to it. Love winning there.

If you could steal one opposition player, who would it be?

I’d have to say Connor Branson, he was great for us last year and we will miss his input.

Predictions time – where do you think you’ll finish?

Mid-table but hope for more. Who knows, anything can happen.

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