Bradford (Park Avenue) can today confirm the pre-season schedule for Garry Thompson and his squad for the month of July

An exciting mix of local non-league opponents and EFL clubs has been put together to provide Bradford (Park Avenue) with a robust pre-season in preparation for Thompsons first season at the helm.

Opening with an away visit to Hemsworth Miners on July 6^th, Horsfall Stadium will then host League 2 Mansfield Town on July 11^th.

The Avenue will then travel to nearby Brighouse Town for what will be an enjoyable fixture for local supporters of both clubs on July 13^th as Thompson intends to use the pre season to finalise his squad ready for the August 3^rd season opener.

A visit to Horsfall by Rotherham United on Wednesday 17^th July will be highly anticipated, followed by Sheffield Wednesday’s under 23s on Saturday 20^th July.

The annual battle for the “Tom Banks Memorial Trophy” against neighbours Bradford City will take place on Tuesday 23^rd July with a bumper crowd expected as both managers look to put the final touches on their squads late in the pre-season.

Finally Bradford (Park Avenue) will complete their pre-season preparation against a Huddersfield XI on Tuesday July 30^th.

Garry Thompson spoke about the pre-season schedule :-

“It’s a great schedule and one I hope the fans enjoy as much as we will. It’s important to get game time for our squad and any lads on trial early in the pre-season and we need time to have a good look at a number of players.”

Thompson Continued :-

“I spoke earlier in the week about the great relationships the club has with some fantastic development clubs, and to have Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield town bring their best young talent over to Horsfall is extremely beneficial for us. They are big clubs and a pleasure to work with.”

CEO Damian Irvine added :

“A meaningful and strong pre-season was one of the areas that supporters have suggested the club could be doing better. With a new manager in place and many fresh faces, this pre-season schedule will allow supporters to see plenty of football before the season starts and build into a very exciting period for the club “

Irvine Added :

“Our relationships with local non-league clubs and larger EFL clubs are both very important to us and we’re delighted to deliver a pre-season program that contains a great blend of levels whilst giving Garry and Shaun (Gardner) ample time to get to know and build their squad”

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to welcome Garry Thompson to his first managerial position as he arrives at Horsfall Stadium to take the reigns as Player Manager ahead of the 2019/2020 season.

Thompson is no stranger to the city of Bradford and is remembered fondly for his committed heroics across town at Bradford City during the 2012 League Cup run, scoring against Arsenal before featuring in The Bantams successful promotion push later that season.

Successful spells at Morecombe, Scunthorpe Utd, Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers saw Thompson earn over 650 appearances at league level, finishing with his home club of Morecombe last December.

The experienced attacker will bring experience, excitement and quality alongside exciting prospects Lewis Knight and Alex Hurst who, along with last season’s Player of the Year Conor Branson, will form the core of Thompsons new squad.

Thompson’s appointment comes after Bradford (Park Avenue) announced a new major partnership with the University of Bradford last week in an exciting period of new impetus for the historic club.

Of his new role , Garry Thompson said :-

“I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to get started. I’ve been working on coaching and looking towards my career after I finish playing. This is such a great opportunity at a fantastic club. I was attracted to the values and positivity of the Directors and we agree on what a strong club requires in terms of attitude and culture.”

Thompson Continued :-

“It’s fantastic to come back to Bradford, a city I’ve such great memories of. Bradford (Park Avenue) have been doing some really hard work and the contacts and support they have made available to us is impressive. I’ll be using every resource they’ve made available to me to achieve the best for the club.”

Damian Irvine, CEO of Bradford (Park Avenue) said: ]

“It’s been an extremely busy 2019 for the club as we’ve focused on taking a fresh perspective and approach to every facet of our operation and structure. We have plenty of experience in seeing what successful and sustainable clubs look and feel like and it’s genuinely exciting to deliver positive change and a culture of progress to Horsfall Stadium.”

Irvine Continued :-

“The club has made its presence felt on the pitch over the past few years and that’s a credit to everyone involved, but if we keep doing what we have always done hoping for a vast improvement in performance on, or off the pitch, we wouldn’t be doing the right thing by our supporters and our owners.”

Striker Shaun Gardner joins Thompson at Horsfall as Playing Assistant Manager.

Gardner has earned over 300 starts at clubs such as AFC Liverpool, Kendal Town, and most recently Penrith AFC

Attackers Thompson and Gardner join The Avenue, who retain highly regarded Conor Branson, Lewis Knight and Alex Hurst on contract for the 2019/2020, with Thompson announcing further additions in coming weeks.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be releasing their pre-season schedule later this week along with further major sponsorship news.

On the back of a week landmark announcements, the clubs push for a record number of season tickets continues with their #Properbradford season ticket campaign providing incredibly affordable football for families and supporters of all ages.

Please note, the coach to Spennymoor is now full, however the club is taking names for a reserve list and may look to book a 2nd

A fantastic response from the Green Army sees the coach to Spennymoor booked to full capacity.

The club is still taking names as a reserve should any bookings be cancelled, however should enough names be taken the club will look to book a second coach.

Make sure to get your name down as soon as possible so that a decision can be made in good time.

Contact: Info@bpafc.com to secure your place.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The Avenue will make the journey up the A1 on Wednesday to face playoff rivals, Spennymoor Town.

With the travelling Green Army spurring the squad on all season, the team needs you now more than ever to make some noise and be that 12th man at The Brewery Field.

The coach will leave the Horsfall Stadium at 4pm on Wednesday, and will leave Cedar Court Hotel at 4:15pm.

Tickets cost just £15 for an adult, or £10 for under 16’s.

Spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Contact: Info@bpafc.com to secure your place.

After a roller coaster season that saw Bradford top the league at Christmas before hitting a bad run of form in early 2019, the Avenue has secured the final playoff spot in a nail biting season finale.

The next challenge for Bradford awaits this Wednesday at The Brewery Field, home of Spennymoor Town.

The hosts come into the game confidently and on a strong vein of form, with a 5-0 win at Curzon Ashton on Saturday sealing a 4th consecutive win.

Avenue will be raring to go, having defied the bookies odds yet again to secure a playoff spot. Bradford narrowly lost to Chorley on Saturday, but will be buoyed by the superb performance that saw them briefly take the lead against the title contenders.

Bower’s men have already proven they can best the Moors home and away, haven taken all 6 points from the last two fixtures.

With yet another shot at promotion to the National League, the squad needs you, the 12th man, to be heard at The Brewery Field this Wednesday.

#UpTheAvenue #ProperFootball #ProperBradford

It’s all to play for on the final day of the season in what should be an exhilarating fixture for both sets of fans.

With just one point separating Chorley from top of the league Stockport, the Magpies have to better Stockport’s result in order to be crowned champions.

With the Hatters away to rock bottom Nuneaton Borough, it looks to be a tall order for Chorley to gain automatic promotion, but with nothing to play for, Nuneaton may be just the banana skin the Magpies need.

Regardless of the result at Liberty way, Chorley will still need to best a determined Bradford side, who come into the game looking to secure a chance at promotion via the play offs.

Avenue supporters will be keeping a close eye on the fixtures at Bootham Crescent and Croft Park as Bradford will need to either match Telford’s result against a strong York City, or better in-form Blyth’s result against Southport.

With everything to play for, it’s not a fixture to miss. Get to Victory Park and get behind Bower and the boys on Saturday. Make The Difference. Be the 12th Man. Be #ProperBradford.

Read on to find out more about the opposition and what to expect on the day.