Bradford (Park Avenue) secure Hull academy product Elliot Holmes

Bradford (Park Avenue) today announced the signing of attacking midfielder Elliot Holmes for the 2019/2020 season.

19 year old Holmes was released from Hull City in May having spent the last 10 years with their Academy  and was rewarded with promotion to the under 23 set up by Nigel Atkins and John Beale in 2018.

Holmes was excited to arrive at Horsfall and said today :

“I’ve enjoyed meeting Garry and Shaun and the squad during pre-season training and I was so pleased to finalise a contract “

Holmes continued :-

“ I talked to Garry and Shaun and while I had some under 23 interest from good quality EFL clubs, it’s time for me to play Men’s Football. Park Avenue have great history and there is such a good buzz around training and plenty of opportunity to make a position my own “

In a busy week  for the club leading into a first friendly away to Hemsworth Miners on Saturday, Garry Thompson said of Elliot’s signing :

“ We’ve taken a very thorough approach to our recruitment and Elliot showed us the right attitude and character right from our initial discussions. The club has a close relationship with Hull City who have loaned our club some of their best talent recently and they know what we want and need in this league both in terms of character and ability. Elliot arrives with excellent references “

With National League North Fixtures being released tomorrow Bradford (Park Avenue) offer one of the leagues most affordable football packages with their  #Properbradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages. Season tickets can be purchased on the official website below.

Bradford (Park Avenue) sign Lewis Rathbone for 2019/2020 season

Bradford (Park Avenue) have today signed midfielder Lewis Rathbone for the 2019/2020 season.

Rathbone, who has followed a similar pathway to Horsfall via the American university system as Lewis Knight and others, arrived late in the 2018/2019 season campaign and eventually was granted international clearance.

A professional attitude to the process of gaining international clearance , and a committed pre-season have earned Rathbone his chance to establish himself under Garry Thompson at Horsfall.

Rathbone hails from Manchester and was a member of the Manchester City Academy as a youngster, and was named a Scholar All American in 2017.

In 2018 supporters of The Nebraska Bugeaters who compete in the Great Plains Premier League in the USASA ,  voted Rathbone the clubs most valuable player.

Garry Thompson welcomed Lewis Rathbone to Horsfall saying :

“ Lewis is a fantastic lad who has demonstrated the positive culture and approach to everything we are building here. He came to the club at Christmas for a trial and then had to wait for his international clearance late last season which limited his opportunities to show his wares. Lewis has shown great commitment to the pre-season and now he has the chance to take this opportunity with both hands”

Rathbone joins Bradford (Park Avenue) pending final FA approval.

Bradford (Park Avenue) can today confirm that a transfer request of Midfielder Conor Branson to Altrincham FC has been accepted for an undisclosed fee.

The club would like to thank Conor and wish him the best with his move.

Bradford (Park Avenue) would also like to thank Altrincham FC for their professional standards and business approach during these negotiations.

The club continues to be busy in the close season and will be announcing further squad recruitment news ahead of the pre-season campaign.

Bradford (Park Avenue) manager Garry Thompson has secured highly rated defender Jon Moran for the 2019/2020 season.

The promising 6 ft 4 Centre Half  who learned his trade with Crewe ,will bring experience and leadership to Thompson’s squad having enjoyed spells at Forest Green in League 2 and loan periods with Nantwich Town and Halesowen before joining Chester FC last season.

Garry Thompson was excited to secure Moran’s signature, commenting:

“We’ve had our eye on Jon and are pleased to attract him to the club despite there being quite a bit of interest elsewhere for his services. Jon is only 21 but has plenty of experience and his attitude and leadership qualities are what made us keen to bring him in“

Thompson Continued :

“We are building a group of players who want to play for this club, who want to forge reputations ,and who are prepared to do the hard work to prove themselves. Jon has chosen to come here because he understands what we are doing and where we are going and he likes it and wants to be a part of it , and we see in Jon a player who has the attributes and character to be a real leader for us on and off the pitch“ .

Jon Moran spoke to BPAFC.COM about his move to The Horsfall Stadium

“The club itself is a good attraction, it’s a club that’s moving forward and I think any young player wants to be a part of that kind of movement. I can’t wait for the pre-season fixtures and to get started, it’s a great opportunity for me here at Horsfall and I want to deliver for the club “

Moran Continued:

“I’ve had long discussions with Garry and the club about what they stand for and believe makes a strong and successful football club, and I agree with them. It’s a very positive football club with good people involved going about things the right way “

Bradford (Park Avenue) continue to offer one of the league’s most affordable football packages with their #ProperBradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages. Season tickets can be purchased on the official website below.

Bradford (Park Avenue) have today secured 20 year old defender Alex Laird for the 2019/2020 season.

The promising local learned his trade having joined the Bradford City academy as a 13 year old and was rewarded with a professional contract at 18 years of age by then City Manager Stuart McCall after impressing in reserves fixtures despite his young age.

Laird featured on debut in October 2017 in his first of two Checkatrade Trophy fixtures before his season was cruelled ended by an Achilles injury and he was released whilst still recovering in May 2018.

On working hard to regain fitness Laird played with Albion Sports in the North East Counties Premier Division during the 2018/2019 season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) Manager Garry Thompson was excited to secure Lairds signature, commenting:

“Alex typifies what we are looking for in our squad. He has obvious ability but has had some adversity in his young career and has shown the character to get himself fit and get match time at a lower level in order to prove himself and be ready for an opportunity when it arises.”

Thompson Continued :

“Alex has a good solid base of development behind him, he is a local lad and he has shown he has the talent to succeed, we’re excited to have him and provide the platform and environment for him to shine and make a name for himself at Horsfall“

Alex Laird spoke about his move to The Horsfall Stadium

“I’m really pleased and I’m really excited to join The Avenue. Being a Bradford local I know the club well and it will be an honour to pull on the shirt and represent such an historic club. I spoke to Garry and was impressed with the clubs direction and the chance to be a part of the new changes and a new era at the club was ideal timing “

Bradford (Park Avenue) will meet Alex and Garry’s former club Bradford City in a feature pre season friendly on Tuesday 23^rd July at Horsfall Stadium as both clubs prepare for the season proper beginning early August.
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