BT SPORT TO REMAIN THE HOME OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

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  • Live matches every week from the pinnacle of non-league and grassroots football
  • BT Sport and National League relationship to enter a second decade

BT Sport has renewed its exclusive rights to broadcast the Vanarama National League for a further three years, until the end of season 2023/24, with more games set to be broadcast than ever before.

BT Sport has been broadcasting live and exclusive coverage of English football’s fifth tier since 2013. The new deal will see matches broadcast live each week, in a regular Saturday slot.

BT Sport’s coverage, led by presenter Matt Smith, follows the regular season championship race plus the exciting end-of-season playoffs through which one team gains a second promotion place into the English Football League. Alongside Smith are commentators Adam Summerton and Adam Virgo plus pundits including former Norwich City and Barrow striker Grant Holt, former Torquay United manager Chris Hargreaves and former Southport manager Kevin Davies. Joining them are reporters Natalie Quirk and Becky Ives. 

Alongside the weekly live match coverage, the BT Sport team bring fans every goal from every National League match in the weekly Vanarama National League Highlights show. The show is created through an innovative link between BT and students associated with selected National League clubs who receive broadcast training from BT to go on and help create the show.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “Over the past few years we’ve developed an innovative relationship with the league, including world-first 5G-enabled remote broadcasts and training local students who help create BT Sport’s National League highlights shows. The National League remain a valued partner to BT, particularly during the pandemic, in staging last season’s playoff matches and the 2020-21 season.”

Brian Barwick, chairman of the National League, said: “”We are delighted to continue our partnership with BT Sport. Their coverage of the Vanarama National League has been simply outstanding.

“Informed and comprehensive, our League has been broadcast in a highly polished and professional fashion. A lot of hard work over the last past seven years has produced some exceptional television.

“The new three-year contract will take us into over a decade of coverage by BT Sport. This speaks volumes for the confidence we have in how our matches have been brought to an established and growing audience”.

Fans of non-league football have more ways to watch on BT Sport than ever before, on TV, through the BT Sport app on smart TVs and games consoles, mobiles and tablets.  For more information visit www.bt.com/sport.

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Academy Set To Welcome Players To Scholarship Trial Day

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Demand is high for places in the Bradford Park Avenue Academy Scholarship programme. The academy is set to host a trial day on Monday 21st December at the Horsfall Community Stadium with a limited number of spaces in our scholarship programme for 2021/22 available. Academy Manager Thomas McStravick is looking forward to the day; 

“We have been delighted with the response in our trial day. Places in our scholarship programme are set to be very competitive as we look for players with the hunger and desire to be the best that they can be.”

In attendance to run their eye over the young talent on show will be first team management duo Mark Bower and Danny Boshell. They will be joined by a host of scouts from top Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

The Academy will be running trials for the Women’s academy in February. If you are interested please email Academy Manager Thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com

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The Avenue exited the Buildbase FA Trophy after falling to a defeat to Chester FC at the Deva Stadium.

The hosts took a deserved lead as Brad Jackson’s deep cross was nodded home by striker George Waring. The Blues extended their advantage with goals from Anthony Dudley and Will Goodwin before a consolation effort from Lewis Knight but the Avenue’s Wembley dream is over for another year.

The home side started the better team, switching the play to both flanks and looking for Waring and Goodwin to get the better of the Bradford defence, but they dealt well with the early pressure.

The away side could’ve broke the deadlock, making the most of a sloppy pass from left-back Jamie Morgan. Knight was the quickest to react and he saw his  shot fumbled by goalkeeper Louis Gray. From the rebound, Matty Downing was alert to try and score but he was denied by an excellent block from defender Kevin Roberts.

The men in blue and white started to increase the tempo and were rewarded with the opening goal. Jackson had time to take a touch and deliver a teasing cross for Waring at the far post. The striker found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

After the break, the momentum remained with the home side. After seeing a cross from Downing go just over Knight’s head, the Blues went on the counter attack. Anthony Dudley turned onto his right foot before being fouled by Luke Lyons inside the box. Referee Darren Rogers blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Dudley got back to his feet and sent Avenue debutant goalkeeper Will Huffer the wrong way.

A number of substitutions saw the game lose its intensity but the home side looked comfortable with a two-goal lead and the Avenue struggling having already lost Jordan Windass and captain Luca Havern to injury to add to a growing list.

The Avenue introduced Tabish Hussain late in the second half and the winger made an impact on the right wing. But, unfortunately, his deliveries into the box were either cleared or unable to be converted by the Avenue strikers.

With only a couple of minutes left, a long ball towards Goodwin was headed back by Lyons, but it fell short of Huffer’s feet. The young Chester FC striker took the ball around the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an unguarded net from 14 yards.

Into added time, Bradford scored a consolation as Hussain managed to squeeze a low cross into the penalty area and Knight was there to tap the ball past Gray from close range.

Chester FC: Gray, Roberts, Morgan, Weeks (Burke 79), Lacey, Grand, Jackson (Elliott 85), Clark, Goodwin, Waring (Marsh-Hughes 63), Dudley

Subs not used: Livesey, Glendon, Johnston, Bauress

Goals: Waring (21), Dudley (pen, 52), Goodwin (88)

Bradford (Park Avenue): Huffer, Ross, Boyes, L.Lyons, Havern (Hussain 60), Windass (Clee 45), Booty (J.Lyons 77), Hibbs, Dockerty, Knight, Downing

Sub not used: Atkinson

Goal: Knight (90)

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Mark Ives is to join The National League management team from early next month.

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Ives’ nearly two decades at The FA included the senior role of Head of Judicial Services.

The experienced executive has been appointed as The National League’s Interim General Manager from January on a three-month contract.

The National League will use the early part of 2021 to assess the management structure the organisation best needs following the imminent departure of its long-serving CEO, Michael Tattersall, at the end of this month.

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The Avenue’s home woes continue after falling to a defeat at the hands of Leamington FC at the Horsfall Stadium.

The Brakes led at half-time, thanks to an early goal from Sam Osbourne and then, with additional time announced, Simeon Maye found the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Bradford reduced the lead with a Brad Dockerty goal, but, two minutes later, the away side restored their two-goal cushion with an excellent Osbourne strike from 20 yards

After a quiet opening period, the visitors broke the deadlock. As Avenue goalkeeper Dan Atkinson rushed out of his goal, Osbourne was calm and composed as he took the ball around him and slotted the ball into an unguarded net from 14 yards.

Osbourne, who continued to cause problems for the Bradford defence, nearly scored his second of the afternoon. After receiving the ball from Jack Edwards, the winger’s drilled shot was well blocked by left-back Harry Boyes inside the box.

Then, the hosts should’ve equalised from a corner. A deep, inswinging delivery from Nicky Clee found Jake Hibbs, but he couldn’t connect properly and scuffed his shot wide from close range.

With the additional time shown on the touchline, Paul Holleran’s side doubled their advantage. Another flick from Edwards, after hesitation in the Avenue defence found Maye, who was unmarked. The midfielder took a few touches and fired a right-footed effort past Atkinson from 12 yards.

After the break, and with the introduction of debutant Regan Booty, Bradford started to push men forward.

After a well-worked move involving Booty and Boyes, Knight curled over a right-footed effort from 20 yards. But it was more positive, drawing an applause from the Avenue dugout.

Then, they deservedly halved the deficit. Despite earlier missing a one-on-one chance, Knight spotted the run of Brad Dockerty through the centre of the pitch. With Weaver to beat, the winger calmly slotted the ball into the net to give the Avenue hope.

But that hope was quickly extinguished as the Brakes scored a wonderful third goal. A corner was cleared away and after excellent play from Lance Smith to turn and keep the ball in play, the striker found Osbourne. The winger sprinted towards goal and fired an unstoppable right-footed strike, from 20 yards, into the top corner.

The Brakes produced a stubborn defensive display to deny Bradford a way back into the game and the evening got worse for the hosts. With a minute left to play, Hibbs was aggressive in a challenge and referee John Mulligan rushed to his pocket for a red card and dismissed the midfielder to add to a miserable afternoon for Bradford.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Atkinson, Ross, Boyes, L.Lyons Havern, Windass (Hussain 77), Sanyang (Booty 45), Hibbs, Dockerty, Knight, Clee.

Subs not used: Downing, Huffer

Goal: Dockerty (69)

Red card: Hibbs

Leamington FC: Weaver, Martin, Morley, Clarke, Morrison, Lane, Osbourne (Meredith 85), Maye (Waldron 90), Smith, Edwards, Allen (Anderson 81)

Subs not used: English, Taylor 

Yellow card: Clarke

Goals: Osbourne (9), (71), Maye (45)

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Official Ebay Store NOW OPEN!!!​​

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We are delighted to announce that the Official Bradford (Park Avenue) Ebay account is now live!

There are already some brilliant items on the site ready for you to bid on! With some of them not available elsewhere!

More will be added over the coming days, so head on over and see what we have to offer you!

Follow the links below, to take you the first 2 completely exclusive deals.

#UTA
#OneOfAKind

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284111536418

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284111633914

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Avenue sign Booty to strengthen midfield options

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With the hectic Christmas period shortly upon us and suspensions and injuries challenging our committed but small squad Mark Bower has moved to secure the services of local lad Regan Booty. 22 year old Booty who hails from Huddersfield and came through the Huddersfield Town academy. Booty made 42 appearances for Aldershot whilst on loan which won him his permanent transfer to Notts County. He made 24 appearances for the magpies as they secured a playoff place in last years shortened season, scoring 2 goals along the way. The cultured left footed central midfielder enjoys dictating play, by getting on the ball and creating chances for his team mates. Regan will go straight into the squad for tomorrows National League North home game against inform Leamington. You can see Regan live on our streaming platform.

https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/dlRKak5R

Regan Booty –

I’m glad to get everything sorted in time for the game tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to getting that match day buzz back and to be back playing games. I already know a few of the boys, so I’m looking forward to meet the rest of the squad and get going’

Ryan Toulson –

Regan is a player we have kept an eye on over the last few years. Myself and Mark watched him at Huddersfield Town on numerous occasions and we tried to bring him in previously so we know the qualities that Regan can bring to the team. He’s an aspiring young player who wants to progress in the game, so hopefully his hunger and quality will be beneficial all round’

The club would also like to confirm that Ethan Henderson and Ion Ibrain have both left the club and we would like to wish them both well with their footballing careers.

#UTA

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Bower to be absent from the dugout whilst he isolates

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We can confirm that our Manager Mark Bower will be absent from the dugout and training for a short period of time whilst he self isolates after coming into contact with positively tested COVID19 sufferer. The exact period is yet to be determined as we await the results of a test on Mark himself. It will definitely cover this weekend’s home match vs Leamington and our fixture next Tuesday at Chester in the FA Trophy.

Mark will continue to work during isolation, picking the team and coordinating training with his able lieutenants Danny and Ryan. Danny and Mark will be in touch during match day via carrier pigeon as Mark watches the game via our live video stream.

#UTA

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BPAFC vs Leamington – LIVE STREAM

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We are happy to announce the live streaming details for this Saturday’s National League North fixture vs Leamington.
Follow the link below to access the game, we go live from 14:30 on the day, where you can expect;

  • Mike ‘The Game Caller’ Gledhill on fine form with backing from Josh
  • Interviews
  • Highlights

And one or two new features!


All this will cost you just £5.00. If you are a first-time user of the system, you will need to set up a free account.
Season ticket holders will of course get the game free of charge!


The streaming link is https://streaming.insightfour.com/stream/dlRKak5R


Stay safe, and Up The Avenue!

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Ex-Avenue favorite Alex Hurst make his EFL debut for Port Vale

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Yesterday our very own Alex Hurst made his league debut for Port Vale, coming off the bench half way through the second half in the EFL 2 league game against Ex Premier League outfit Bolton Wanderers. 

It marks the fruition of a long journey for Hurst after his two year stint with the Avenue. Initially released by league side Crewe Alexander, the skilful Hurst found his way to The Avenue via Matlock Town. An impressive debut season saw a transfer to Port Vale with the attacking midfielder being loaned back to Bradford for a second season. 

We would like to congratulate Alex on his league debut and wish him many more appearances in the Football League. 

Martin Knight – 

Alex has done an amazing job to get his first appearance in the football league. He is the epitome of hard work, talent and humility. He joined us after the disappointment of his release and continued to work hard and learn from Mark and Danny during training and the likes of Clee, Johnson and Rowe in matches. Lots of young players don’t get this type of opportunity to learn like this or get the sound advice to maybe drop down a league or two to play regular men’s football. This is exactly the type of success story that a few of our other talented young squad should look at and believe that they can achieve exactly the same with us.’ 

#UTA

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