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!
We are delighted to announce that Jamie Spencer has put pen to paper on a new one year deal for the 2023/24 Season.
Jamie re-joined last year from Guiseley and finished up playing over 30 games, bagging goal of the season in the process with his effort from the halfway line against Scarborough.
Right footed, Jamie is is seen as a massive part of what we are trying to build as we go into the Northern Premier League, with his attributes defensively as well as going forward key to the squad.
On his signature Jamie had this to say;
When Mark, Danny and Luca outlined the plans for the season ahead, alongside the players who have also committed to the club, it was a project I wanted to be part of.
Whilst there are some very good teams in this league, I am confident we will be challenging and pushing to make an immediate return to the National League North.
Assistant manager Danny Boshell added;
Were really pleased to get Spenner over the line. We have had to fight off interest from other clubs were financially he would certainly be better off, but what this shows is his commitment to both the club and us as a management team. That is no surprise to us, we know he is a great character and the personality he has got.
After a stop start season through niggling injuries etc, the challenge for Spenner now is to get back to the levels we know he is capable of and if he can do that he will have a big impact for us on the pitch this season.
We are thrilled to announce the re-signing of talented right-back Lucas Odunston!
Lucas originally joined the club in August 2021, and agreed terms today on a new one-year deal to keep him at the Horsfall for the 2023/24 Season.
Odunston’s journey with Bradford (Park Avenue) began two years ago when he made the move from Hull u21s. Since then, he has demonstrated tremendous growth and dedication on the field, making 29 appearances in his first season (21/22), followed by 38 in the 22/23 Season
Prior to his time with Hull, Lucas showcased his talents as a promising young player at Leeds u18s side, where he honed his skills and developed a strong footballing foundation.
Mark Bower was equally happy with the signing, saying this;
“Great to get Lucas over the line, he’s been a fantastic player over the last 2 seasons, and when away from injury he is often one of our best. His attitude on and off the pitch has been brilliant and he can really become a role model for the younger players in the squad.”
An interview with Lucas will be posted on Friday, so stay tuned to our Socials!
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC is delighted to announce the renewal of its sponsorship agreement with Mr Scratchings for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
This marks the second consecutive year of partnership between the beloved local snack company and the football club, with Mr Scratchings’ logo prominently displayed on the back of the playing shirt.
The extension of the sponsorship deal reflects the strong and mutually beneficial relationship that has been established between Mr Scratchings and Bradford (Park Avenue). The continued support from Mr Scratchings demonstrates their commitment to the local community and their belief in the club’s vision and potential.
Club Secretary Calum Cullen, expressed his gratitude to Mr Scratchings for their continued support.
“We are delighted that Mr Scratchings will be continuing as our sponsor for the back of the playing shirt in the upcoming season. Their commitment to our club is invaluable, and we appreciate their belief in our ambitions. The partnership has been fantastic for both parties, and we are excited to continue working together to achieve our goals.”
We are delighted to announce more details of our pre season schedule.
On Friday 28th July we will take on a Blackpool XI at the Horsfall Community Stadium with a 7:30 KO.
Blackpool visit us following their relegation to League One.
Our first recorded match against Blackpool took place on 1st January 1909, where we took a 4-3 win in the old Division Two.
Our last recorded match against the Seasiders was on 30th January 1937, where Blackpool took a 6-0 win in the old Division Two.
Further details around the game will be released in due course
Dear Fellow Avenue supporters,
Anyone who takes an interest in football finance knows that virtually all clubs run at a loss. In the case of our football club, I have been the private individual who has funded the losses.
As our published May 2022 accounts show, the football club’s liabilities exceed its assets by £2.1m. As football clubs go that is not unusual but the deficit is high when compared with clubs at our level. Most of the deficit is explained by loans I have made to the football club. I have therefore agreed, with the approval of my fellow directors, to convert £1.8m of my loans to equity. That doesn’t change much in terms of day-to-day operations but it puts the football club on a more sustainable footing as there is no question that that these large loans do not now have to be repaid. Subject to adjustment for the loss sustained in the year to May 2023 it reduces the net liabilities of the club to £0.3m.
I am committed to the success of Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC. I accept, football being football, we shall continue to suffer losses but we have recruited well off the field and, with the help of these excellent people, we aim to cut our losses to a sustainable level. I am willing to continue to fund this level of losses for now but ultimately we need to reduce these losses as we grow our club.
If our ambitions extend to climbing back up the leagues, we are going to need new additions to our board who are committed to our club and community. I am willing to speak to anybody who is willing to invest money or time in our football club and who has its success at heart. If you would like to get in touch, please contact Calum Cullen in the first instance.
I share your disappointment in our relegation from National League North. It is nice to renew some old rivalries. Let’s pull together and make a success of our first season in the Northern Premier League.
Up the Avenue!
Gareth Roberts
Supporters of the club will be thankful that such a large amount of money invested to ensure the survival of Bradford (Park Avenue) over recent years will not now be required to be repaid.
This move improves the look of our accounts and, at the same time, removes a possible barrier to new investment sources.
The annual operating losses of over £300k are being addressed by new budgets being set and will operate at a level that is reducing, thanks to robust management of the Stadium, the Academy and the Football club, whilst operating the first team at a level close to last year’s budget.
With further help from the ‘boost the budget’ opportunities for supporters to increase that figure, through buying great value season tickets and adding to the amount spent, also by supporting Development Fund initiatives to raise money we expect to have competitive first team spending power for Mark and Danny.
Key people involved in our success are all making financial sacrifices to help out, and Gareth’s conversion of loans to shares is a massive gesture of support, valued at well over £1.8 million.
We are working hard to support our managers in getting a team together and in organising pre-season friendlies.
You will be aware of the successful development and support for the Academy and also of increased help through getting more investment in pitch usage.
There has been a full review of Stadium costs to further reduce any wasted costs and great work improving the events planned on site as new income drivers.
We’ll be keeping you updated with news each week through the close season and hope that you take full advantage of the great new kit when it comes out too.
Up the Avenue.
Paul Armitage
