Salford City V Bradford Park Avenue.. Tuesday 20th Feb (rearranged fixture) 19.45 KO
Match Report: Blyth Spartans 3-0 Bradford Park Avenue
Despondent Avenue beaten in Blyth
Three unanswered Blyth Spartans goals condemned Avenue to their fourth defeat of the calendar year on a bitterly disappointing afternoon at Croft Park.
Mark Bower’s only change from the previous week was a forced one, with Wayne Brooksby being withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Javan Vidal. Veteran midfielder Danny Boshell was handed a place on the bench after serving his suspension for a red card against Nuneaton Town.
The score line would suggest that the encounter was predominantly one-sided, but Avenue had their fair share of opportunites and fell victim to some questionable officiating. Blyth, however, were ruthless in front of goal and made the visitors pay for some calamitous defending.
After a cagey opening ten minutes, the first two chances of the afternoon fell to the hosts in quick succession. Dan Maguire struck low from close-range but was denied by a Luca Havern block before Kieran Green’s follow-up was saved by Steven Drench.
Avenue then self-destructed after competing well in the early stages, as Shane Killock’s headed back pass failed to reach Drench and was latched on to by Maguire. He was brought down by the goalkeeper, which allowed Dale Hopson to step up and convert the resulting penalty.
After a brief spell on the backfoot in the aftermath of conceding, Avenue grew in confidence and began to threaten a Blyth backline that they had experienced so much joy against in the reverse fixture.
Oli Johnson burst past Michael Liddle down the left flank before rifling an unstoppable effort into the top corner, but the linesman’s flag brought a premature end to celebrations.
Vidal then turned sharply in the box before shooting goal wards, but Peter Jameson held comfortably despite a potentially dangerous deflection.
The offside trap proved to be an obstacle for the visitors throughout, and Dan Pybus was unimpressed by the raising of the linesman’s flag after the loanee latched on to a through-ball from Jamie Spencer.
Despite the improvement in Avenue’s performance as the second-half progressed, defensive fragilities proved costly as a sickening blow was dealt on the stroke of half-time. Robbie Dale rounded Ryan Toulson before cutting back to Jarrett Rivers, who steered past Drench from around 10-yards out.
Mark Bower had clearly challenged the players to test Jameson on a more frequent basis in the second-half, and a long-range drive from Spencer was spilled by the goalkeeper barely a minute after the restart. Unfortunately, the Blyth stopper pounced on the ball before a lurking Adam Boyes could.
The travelling Avenue supporters were then given a scare when Maguire jumped to block a Drench punt and would have been furious had the Avenue stopper not recovered to make a fantastic save.
Keen to regain a grip on the game, Bower introduced Frank Mulhern to the fray and the substitution was shortly followed by Adam Smith’s arrival as Avenue looked to haul themselves back into contention.
The dugout, the players and supporters alike were then left dumbfounded by the referee’s decision to book Johnson, who had been hauled down in the box after racing through to meet a Mulhern through ball. The official cited simulation as a reason for the issuing of the yellow card, only adding to the frustrations.
Johnson very nearly responded with a goal, as his header looked destined to make the net bulge before Jameson plucked it out of the top corner in impressive fashion. The chance followed a terrific delivery from Smith, who demonstrated his ability to trouble defenders after replacing Vidal.
The game, however, was put beyond Avenue when Hopson evaded two challenges by cutting in from the left before firing past Drench. Johnson and Boyes both came close in the latter stages, but Avenue couldn’t penetrate the sturdy Blyth backline. Avenue have an opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday, as they visit the Peninsula Stadium to take on Salford City.
Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Liddle, Watson (Gorman 84’), Green, Buddle, Hutchinson, Rivers (Langstaff 79’), Reid, Maguire (Wrightson 79’), Hopson, Dale (c).
Unused substitutes: Mullen, MacDonald.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench, Toulson, Clee, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Vidal (Smith 65’), Pybus (Mulhern 57’), Boyes, Johnson, Spencer (Nowakowski 72’).
Unused substitutes: Hill, Boshell.
Referee: John Matthews
Booked: Green, Buddle (Blyth), Johnson (Avenue).
Attendance: 806
Written by Tom Coates
Blyth Spartans v Bradford Park Avenue Sat 16 feb 2018. 15.00 KO
Blyth Spartans v Bradford Park Avenue Sat 16 feb 2018. 15.00 KO
Academy: Friendly Arranged For Wednesday 21st February
On Wednesday 21st February Bradford Park Avenue Academy welcome Platinum International Academy players from Perth Australia in a friendly at Grange Technology College.
The Australian based boys have been brought together to create a squad by Platinum International Academy based in Liverpool. Last July a number of staff from platinum including director Dave Manix and coach Asa Hartford (ex Scottish International) headed down under to run showcases and training days and invited the top 20 or so players to come over to England to experience life in the academy.
The BPA scholars are looking forward to the game and we hope you can join us for the 13:30 KO.
Official Statement: Proposed Club Re-Structure
At the AGM of Bradford Park Avenue Community Benefit Society on Thursday, it was announced that the directors are proposing a change in the ownership structure of the club.
The club’s first team currently plays in National League North, just two divisions below the Football League. The cost of surviving at this level has escalated to a level which the club cannot afford beyond the short term, under its current ownership structure. Operational costs are eating up capital which had been earmarked for off-the-field development, and new investment is needed.
Two years ago the club became a Community Benefit Society (a “CBS”), intending that its ownership should be spread amongst the local and regional community. However, very few new members have joined. As a CBS the club is entitled to issue Community Shares to potential investors, but the law provides for a maximum of £100,000 in community shares for any individual, which is not enough to make a crucial difference. In addition the CBS is heavily indebted to its current benefactor, and as an investment opportunity the club in its current form is unattractive.
The directors have decided to face reality, and they propose to change the structure of the club so that it becomes a privately owned enterprise, from which investors can potentially earn dividends or at least look to recover their investment at some point in time.
Any change in structure is subject to the approval of the current members of the CBS, the FA and also to the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority, whose advice has already been sought. A further meeting of members will be held in the near future at which specific proposals will be put forward.
The proposed change indicates the determination of the directors to find new sources of investment so as to maintain the club at its present level and possibly above.
The Board
Match Preview: Blyth Spartans Vs Bradford Park Avenue Saturday 17th February
Avenue face a stern test this Saturday, as they visit a Blyth Spartans side riding high on a wave of confidence after back-to-back 3-0 victories.
Blyth disposed of Tamworth on the Lambs’ home turf last night, with long-serving winger Robbie Dale netting a hat-trick. Mere days before, they had comfortably defeated fellow play-off contenders Brackley Town at Croft Park thanks to a Dan Maguire brace and a strike from Jarrett Rivers.
Saturday’s opponents lie fifth in the league table, six points ahead of Avenue and one goal ahead of Mark Bower’s side on goal difference. Avenue do, however, have a game-in-hand on their rival Green Army.
February was kickstarted with a 5-0 rout of Gainsborough Trinity for Avenue, but the play-off chasers slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Darlington last Saturday following a second-half strike from former Bradford City midfielder David Syers. A win on Saturday would only be Avenue’s second of the calendar year, but they still find themselves firmly in contention for a top-seven finish thanks to impressive form in the latter stages of 2017.
Defender Mark Ross was the only absentee in last week’s defeat to Darlington and is once again a doubt for the trip to Croft Park. Assistant Manager Danny Boshell is available for selection after serving his suspension, but Mark Bower may opt to hand another start to loanee Dan Pybus.
Take a look at our guide to Saturday’s opponents below…
THE GAFFER:
Alun Armstrong
42-year old Alun Armstrong took charge of Blyth in September 2016 and guided the Spartans to the Northern Premier League title in his first-ever campaign in the dugout. As a player, he represented Avenue’s neighbours Bradford City during a brief loan spell in the 2003-2004 season, as well as featuring for Yorkshire sides Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers on loan in 2000 and 2006. His most successful spells, however, were enjoyed outside of Yorkshire. The former forward made 160 appearances for Stockport County between 1994 and 1998 after ascending the youth ranks of Newcastle United, and found the back of the net on 49 occasions for the Hatters. He also represented Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, Darlington and Rushden & Diamonds in a career spanning 14 years, before retiring after a very brief stint with Newcastle Blue Star. Armstrong famously scored the only goal during Ipswich’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan in a UEFA Cup first leg tie in 2001.
KEY PLAYERS:
Jarrett Rivers
24-year old winger Rivers made ten appearances for Blackpool before re-joining Blyth in 2016 and extended his contract with the club last month. A pacey winger known for being a constant threat to defenders, he made the headlines in December 2014 after his 90th-minute winner dumped Hartlepool United out of the FA Cup in the second round and saw Blyth advance in the competition.
Robbie Dale
Despite reaching the age of 33, Dale remains one of the biggest talents outside of league football and was on the scoresheet in Blyth’s defeat to Avenue back in November. He has made over 500 appearances in the green and white of Blyth since marking his debut with a hat-trick against Emley (then known as Wakefield & Emley) in 2005 and has helped the club reach the third round of the FA Cup on two occasions. The winger was named the Evo-Stik Premier Division Player of the Year in 2015 and turned down a contract with Oxford United as a 21-year-old. He will line-up on Saturday looking to continue his rich vein of form having netted a hat-trick in Blyth’s recent win over Tamworth.
Daniel Maguire
A forward who can also operate on each flank, Maguire is certainly one for defenders to watch out for. He scored 23 goals in 42 appearances as Blyth romped to the Northern Premier League title last season and has represented England C. Maguire is no stranger to football in Yorkshire, having spent two months with Halifax Town in 2015. The dangerous attacker will be looking to add to his already impressive goal tally for this season, having notched 16 so far.
FORM:
DLWLWW
Written by Tom Coates
CBS Director Nominations
The period allowed for nominations to become a director of Bradford Park Avenue CFC has now closed, with 3 nominations received.
At the AGM on Thursday 15th February 2018 members will be able to vote for the appointment of directors. In the notice of the meeting we allowed members until Monday 12th February 2018 to make nominations.
Following a change in the CBS rules at the last AGM, the rules now allow for between 6 and 10 directors but we currently have 12. In the AGM notice it was confirmed that both Phil Lawler and Dave Stordy would be stepping down to bring the number of directors down to 10 as per the rules. However due to a change in personal circumstances Paul Wood has now informed the board he will be stepping down. Due to this Dave Stordy has committed to remain on the board and will no longer be stepping down. The club would like to place on record their thanks to both Phil and Paul for all their hard work and support during their time on the board.
In addition to the 2 directors stepping down a further 3 directors will be stepping down but will be able to stand for re election if they wish as per the CBS rules. The 3 directors stepping down are John Dean, Ben Harvey and Joe Mosley.
The club has received 3 nominations for Director and all nominations are shown below. Since there is room for all nominees within the maximum allowed, members will be invited to vote for all nominees en bloc.
BEN HARVEY
I am an existing Director seeking re-election to the board. I am Bradford born and bred, married with a young son of 3 and I have been following / involved with Bradford Park Avenue for the last 6 / 7 years. My professional background is Financial Services in which I have worked for the last 10 years. I currently work locally for the Yorkshire Building Society Group where I have experience in a number of different roles.
I am very passionate about the development of the club both on and off the field and I would like to continue in my role of Director so I can continue offering my skills and experience to help the club move forward. I feel I have been a good link between the members and the board, and always ensure the members views are heard. Currently through overseeing the match day operation, I am committed to improving the match day experience for both new and existing fans to help the clubs support grow and take the club forward.
Proposed by Neil Fawcett Seconded by Dave Stordy
DR JOHN DEAN
I am an existing Director who is seeking re election.
I am 63 years old, was born in Horsforth and have always lived in Pudsey. After completing my education at Leeds University, where I gained a First Class B.Sc honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1977 and a Ph.D in 1979, I spent nearly 28 years in the design of novel broadband microwave components for advanced radar applications at Filtronic Components Limited (FCL) in Shipley. I worked closely with Professor David Rhodes and in 1985 we were awarded the Queens Award for Technology presented by the Queen at Buckingham Palace. I held a number of senior positions at FCL including Engineering Director.
I am very interested in sport and have been a keen supporter of Bradford Park Avenue since the age of 8 years when I attended matches with my father, Leonard Dean, who was also a very keen Avenue supporter and who had witnessed the club in its glory years of the 20s, 30s and 40s. I have the Avenue blood running through my veins obtained through my father and I was privileged to be made Chairman of the football club in 2005, a post I have held to the present day. Over the years I have built up considerable experience in the role of Chairman and representing this football club in an official capacity. There has been many highs and lows in the last 13 years but there is an exciting future ahead and I would like to continue to support the progression of the club going forward.
Proposed by Ben Harvey Seconded by Neil Fawcett
JOE MOSLEY
I am happy to be considered to stand again as a board director for Bradford Park Avenue Community Football Club to continue both the development of the stadium and adjoining playing fields, and all other facilities and services that will serve to support both the Club’s and it’s wider Community ambitions.
Proposed by John Dean Seconded by Ben Harvey
Community Benefits Society AGM
Just a quick reminder for members of the Community Benefit Society that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 15th February 2018 at 18:30 in the Clubhouse. Please note anyone who is not a member of the CBS for the current year will not be allowed entry to the meeting.
Formal notice was sent to all CBS members on Monday 29th January 2018.
As previously confirmed any member wishing to propose a resolution at the meeting must give formal notice of the resolution to Director Ben Harvey, no later than Monday 12th February 2018. The notification must include the exact wording of the resolution and the reasons for it.
Nominations for the appointment of any new Directors must be proposed and seconded in writing, the nominations are to be sent to Director Ben Harvey no later than Monday 12th February 2018.
All resolution proposals and Director nominations are to be sent to bpafc@outlook.com
The Board
Horsfall College Of Sport, Trial date Friday 16th February at Horsfall Stadium
Horsfall College Of Sport, Trial date Friday 16th February at Horsfall Stadium
Away Travel: Salford City Tuesday 20th February 2018
The club are looking at running a supporters coach to Salford City Tuesday 20th February 2018 subject to enough interest, with seats costing £12 for adults and £8 for under 18’s.
To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003