We can announce today that the pre-season friendly vs Rochdale has been cancelled. This follows the tragic death of former ‘Dale player Wayne Evans. Rochdale will now be playing a benefit match for Evans instead.
A new opponent will be announced in due course
We are delighted to announce today the signing of Jak Whiting, following his release from Doncaster Rovers.
A left back by trade, Jak spent the back end of last season training with our first team alongside his studies with Doncaster’s Academy.
Jak was captain of DRFC U18s last season and made one used-substitute appearance in the EFL Trophy during the 22/23 season against Newcastle United U21s.
On the deal, Mark Bower had this to say ‘Jak impressed us in training at the back end of last season. He has some really good attributes and we’re looking forward to working with him to help him reach his full potential’
Equally happy, the man himself added; ‘It’s a deal I’m happy to get over the line, the quality of the squad is high and hopefully this season we can get the club back to where it belongs.’
An interview with Jak will posted later this week. Keep an eye on the socials!!
We are delighted to announce two of our away pre-season fixtures as Campion AFC and Liversedge FC
We make the trip to Campion on Tuesday 11th July, with Kick Off scheduled for 7:45pm at Scotchman Road.
Campion are set for a great season following their promotion from Division One of the Northern Counties East League.
They also won the 22/23 Yorkshire Cup, along with the 22/23 West Riding Senior County Cup.
As for Liversedge, the match will take place on 5th August, Kick Off scheduled for 3pm at the Clayborn Ground.
We visit Sedge following their relegation to the Northern Premier League – Division 1 East.
Former Park Avenue Player-Coach Ryan Toulson recently put pen to paper with Liversedge, signing a deal to join Jonathan Rimmington in the management.
We are delighted to confirm the signing of talented striker Jordan Preston on a one-year deal with the club.
We’d also like to say a massive thank you to the Development Fund for their generous contribution to the signing.
Preston first joined Avenue on loan in November 2022 from Spennymoor Town, scoring 4 goals in 12 appearances for the Green Army.
Jordan will be combining playing with the First Team, whilst also coaching with the Academy.
Jordan has previously had spells at Guiseley, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead, and Boston United, and kicked off his career with Blackburn Rovers, joining the u18s and progressing to the u21s in 2013.
He later headed North of the border to play on loan for Ayr United, where he helped them win promotion in the 2015-16 season. He scored the first penalty for Ayr in the play-off finals.
We spoke to Skipper Luca Havern on the signing, and he had this to say;
“Jordan is a big signing for us, and we’re all glad to get him signed on amid interest from several other clubs.”
“We had our best period last season when Jordan was enjoying his football and scoring goals and the aim is to get him back to that level following his injury.”
Jordan was equally excited to get the deal over the line, adding this;
“I’ve been speaking to the club and the management since the start of the off-season, and in the end it was the best fit for me.”
Asked on why he chose Avenue, Jordan added;
“I think mainly the way they treated me with my injury last season, and how they looked after me. I enjoyed my football here, and it’s a bit of a long term opportunity for me at the club, so I’m looking forward to that.
You can watch Jordan’s interview alongside Academy Technical Director Thomas McStravick on the link below.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN FC
We are delighted to announce our latest Pre-Season Friendly as our local neighbours Huddersfield Town!
The Terriers will visit the Horsfall Community Stadium on Friday 14th July, with a Kick Off of 7:30pm.
In recent years, Avenue have loaned in some of the up and coming talent from Town’s u18 to u23s, including Shane Maroodza and David Adewoju in the 22/23 season, and Isaac Marriott who originally joined on a loan in 2018, before being signed in August 2020 and later sold for an undisclosed fee to Altrincham in December 2021.
Avenue first went head to head with Town back in September 1910, where we hosted a Division 2 game which ended 1-0 to the Terriers.
Our last recorded League or Cup game was on 26th September 1962, where Huddersfield took a 3-1 win in the League Cup.
Town also visited Bradford in our 2019/20 pre-season, which saw the sides play out a 2-2 draw. Goals came from Lewis Rathbone and Ryan Cresswell.
We can confirm today that Sports Rehabilitator Natalie Clayton has left the club. ‘Tally’ leaves with our best wishes as she explores other opportunities including a role with the Football Association Medical Training Faculty.
The club would like to place on record our thanks for all of Tally’s efforts in her stints here and wish her all the best for the future.
News on Tally’s replacement will be communicated ASAP.
During the 2022/23 season, due to the support of fans and several fundraising efforts, the BPA Development Fund were once again able to make significant donations to the club which were used to secure several signings in an attempt to maintain our league status. Ultimately however, for various reasons, this was not achieved.
With your ongoing support through donations and our other fundraising activities, and the club looking for donations to be included with season ticket purchases, we can continue to assist with increasing the initial budget which can make a difference in bringing in the quality of player required. By donating now gives us a far better chance of a good start to the season, and this year sees an initial amount of £5000 being provided from ongoing efforts by the Development Fund’s activities.
At no stage do any of the Development Fund Group have any say in players being considered etc. with amounts being donated to the club when agreed between both parties. Should any funds remain at the end of the season, due to non-requirement by the club, such funds would be carried forward to the following season.
Donations can be made in the following ways, these being administered by the BPA Development Fund.
(Preferred) Bank Transfer:
BPA Development Fund
Sort Code 05-02-00
Account Number 29955993
**Please quote “BTB” as the payment reference**
This can either be done as a “one-off” type donation or as an ongoing monthly Direct Debit, which you would need to set up with your bank, and inform us of this.
Cheque:
Made payable to BPA Development Fund, and send to BPA Development Fund, Horsfall Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford BD6 2NG, noting For BTB Purposes or as below.
Cash:
Please visit the BPA Development Fund desk in the clubhouse on match days where Dave Rawling, assistant treasurer, can usually be found. Receipts issued if required.
Thank you for your any previous support, we and the club look forward to more of the same!
The BPA Development Fund Group.
We can announce today The Tom Banks Memorial Trophy match vs Bradford City will take place at the Horsfall Stadium on WEDNESDAY 19th July with a 7:30 KO.
City travel up from Valley Parade having missed out on promotion last season, losing over two legs to Carlisle in the Semi finals of the League Two playoffs.
We will be looking to get revenge and re-claim the City-wide bragging rights, having lost last year’s friendly.
Ticket details will be announced in due course!
We are delighted to confirm that Laska Care and Education Ltd have agreed a deal to become the new back of shorts sponsor for the 2023/24 Season.
Based in Bradford, Laska provides a range of services to children and people with complexed needs.
Gary Binns, who is a director at Laska said; Laska Care and Education Ltd, is a Bradford based company who provides quality accommodation, care and support to vulnerable children and young people in the Yorkshire area. The company, who support the local community, is delighted in becoming a sponsor of Bradford Park Avenue Football Club in their endeavour to rise up the leagues.
Secretary and Operations Manager Calum Cullen added.;
I’m thrilled to have Laska commit to the club as rear of shorts sponsor. Laska originally came to us as a board sponsor for the 2022/23 season so to see them become more involved is brilliant.
I have spoken with Gary on a number of occasions now and believe he and Laska Care and Education Ltd are a great fit with our football club
I look forward to seeing them down at the Horsfall next season.
We can confirm today, the excellent news that Mitchell Lund has agreed a new one year deal at Bradford (Park Avenue).
‘Lundy’ is well known to the fans here, and will be entering his 5th season with club. Over that time he has formed a brilliant understanding and partnership with new player coach Luca Havern having amassed over 90 appearances in that time.
Still only 27, Mitch has a wealth of experience behind him, which will be crucial in this upcoming season.
We spoke to Luca on his signing, who had this to say;
Its brilliant to get Lundy re signed again, we looked a stronger defensive unit whenever he played last season. It will be good to see him continue to develop into a leader and help the younger players on and off the pitch.
And the man himself added;
I am happy to be signing on for another year at Bradford (Park Avenue). I know that me and the lads already signed will be pushing for us to finish as high up as possible next season!
