Bradford (Park Avenue) have today received the long awaited confirmation that our National League North status is secured for the 2020-21 season.

Please see below the full statement from the National League:

Following a vote by all member Clubs, and subject to FA Council approval, the Vanarama National League, Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South seasons 2019/20 will be concluded with final league tables compiled on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis.

The outcome is Barrow AFC are champions of the Vanarama National League, King’s Lynn Town are champions of Vanarama National League North and Wealdstone are champions of Vanarama National League South.

The end of season Play-Offs will now proceed with the Clubs that qualify, subject to the competition rules and the applicable government guidance on the phased return of elite sport.

The number of Clubs to be relegated from the Vanarama National League will be determined so as to maintain a National Division of 24 Clubs after any relegation from EFL League Two, promotion to EFL League Two and promotion from the National League North and National League South divisions. There shall be no relegation from Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Tattersall commented: “I congratulate each of our champions Clubs on their successful campaigns. The enforced curtailment of our season does nothing to discredit the quality of the football played and I am pleased that our Clubs have overwhelmingly supported the award of their titles. We can now also look towards the completion of end of season Play-Offs.”

Notes:

National League Clubs were asked to support an Ordinary Resolution to conclude the season with final leagues tables compiled on an “Unweighted Points Per Game” basis. The resolution received the support of a significant majority of member Clubs in each division.

“Unweighted Points Per Game” is defined as: 
The method for calculating the final points total of each Club in the Division concerned, calculated in accordance with the following formula, rounding the final points total up to three decimal places:

PT * LMS = Final Points Total
___
CM

Where “PT” means a Club’s points total in the 2019/20 Season at the point when the Competition was suspended on 16 March 2020.

Where “CM” means the number of Competition Matches a Club has played in the 2019/20 Season at the point the Competition was suspended on 16 March 2020.

Brad Dockerty has put pen to paper on a new one year deal with the Avenue, with an option for a second year. Brad originally joined The Avenue at the beginning of last season, Mark Bower had originally set up the deal with Hemsworth prior to his summer departure on the back of two incredible seasons for The Wells scoring 40 goals and making 34 assists from the wing.

Dockerty started his Bradford (Park Avenue) career strongly with 3 goals from 5 starts, with a further 9 appearances from the bench, and all that during the difficult start to last season. Unfortunately as the club stabilised with the re-appointment of the man (Mark Bower) responsible for his recruitment in the first place, there was a large change in working circumstances that meant it would be difficult for Brad to play and train with us. A Loan to Pontefract for what remained of the 19/20 season brought another 3 goals in 16 games.

After some discussions with his family and Mark, Brad wants to return to the Horsfall and commit fully for the season and see where his talent can take him and the club.

Brad Dockerty –

‘I’m really excited to be back at BPA, due to my work commitments last year cutting my spell short, I’m delighted to be given another chance to play at this level under Mark and Bosh. I enjoyed the time here last year and when Mark phoned me, it was a no brainer, to return and test myself. Hopefully I can impress, score a few goals and help the club back to where it wants to be.’

Mark Bower –

‘It is a real positive that Brad has agreed to extend his stay with us. Brad showed his potential early last season with his quality, pace and eye for goal. Unfortunately work commitments limited Brad’s involvement later in the season, however he is now in a position to fully commit to the training and travel required and we look forward to working with him, with the aim of helping him reach his full potential with us.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm the signing of Jake Hibbs on a one year deal with the option for a second. After starting his career with Manchester City U18’s, Jake eventually found himself at Halifax Town, where he played 57 times for them in the National League. He capped his time there by helping them win the FA trophy at Wembley, with a dominating display in a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town.

Jake left Halifax for Spennymoor in 18/19 season, the move was unfortunately dogged by injury and playing in his less favoured role of Right Back. This led to him taking loan spells at Buxton and latterly with the Avenue last season where he started 9 times in his preferred role.

A dynamic box to box midfielder with strong technical skill, Jake is the perfect blend of talent, experience and potential. We look forward to Jake showing us exactly what made him hot property during his time at Halifax with an extended run in the Avenue engine room.

Mark Bower –

‘We are delighted to secure the signing of Jake Hibbs on a permanent basis following his loan spell with us. Jake put in some strong performances for us last season and we are looking forward to helping him push on and fulfil his undoubted potential.

Jake was a stand out player in The National League a few years ago whilst at Halifax, but has had a frustrating time more recently. We believe Jake has the potential to reach and surpass the standards he has set in the past and the key for him joining us was our determination to help him achieve this by playing him regularly in his strongest position in a style of play that suits his attributes.‘

Jake Hibbs –

‘When the opportunity came up to sign for BPA it was a no brainer for me really, having worked with Mark and Danny before. I’ve always enjoyed my time playing for them and feel that they can bring the best out of me by having a full season with them. Obviously last season was a bit of a strange one, both personally and for football in general, but the time I spent on loan at Bradford has made my decision really easy to join for the upcoming season. Looking at the players we have already signed it looks like its going to be an exciting season on the pitch, so I’m really looking forward to getting started and meeting the lads again.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Ryan Toulson has put pen to paper on a new Deal at Bradford (Park Avenue) extending his stay with the club. Ryan forms part of a formidable management team with Mark and Danny having worked with them over the last 3 years.

The experienced, solid and hard working right sided defender becomes the clubs 6^th signing ahead of the new season. Ryan is the ideal signing for the club being able to coach and develop some of our younger players both on and off the pitch.

After leaving the club in the summer of 2019, Ryan re-joined last season as one of Marks first signings and went on to make 15 appearances in league and cup.

We hope you are looking forward to seeing Ryan maraud up and down our right flank next season!

Ryan Toulson –

‘I am delighted to be joining Mark and Danny as part of the management team for another season. They have shown trust in me to join an already successful management team at this level and they have both helped me gain knowledge and understanding in different areas of management/coaching, so long may that continue.
As the club looks to the future on developing younger players I hope my experience on the pitch compliments the work that we do off it.

I’m looking forward to getting started as soon as it’s safe to do so and we will be working hard to give you the committed fans something to shout about.’

Mark Bower –

‘It is great news that Ryan has extended his stay at the club. He has proved to be a trusted and knowledgeable member of the staff and also provides an experienced head on the pitch which will be important as we place a greater emphasis on developing more younger players over the coming seasons. 

Ryan’s style and personality compliments our management team well and we look forward to him continuing his good work with us.’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, a number of players have already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.

Isaac Marriott has agreed a pre-contract agreement to join the Avenue for next season when his current deal with Huddersfield Town expires. The dynamic and energetic midfielder has been part of the Huddersfield elite academy set up since he was 9 years old, and benefits from the strong work ethic and technical skills developed and instilled in him by Huddersfield. The next step in Isaacs development sees him join the Avenue, under the expert tutelage of Mark and Danny, on a permanent basis after his loan spell with us last season.

Danny Boshell –

‘Fantastic news that Isaac has agreed to sign for us next season. Having worked with Isaac for a spell last season we know he’s a great kid with a top class attitude, and has a willingness and determination to learn which is a real positive in any player. The challenge for Isaac now is for him to establish himself at this level, then to hopefully kick on and fulfil his potential and get back into the EFL. Its great that he sees us as a platform to that and having played the odd game or two  in Isaac’s position myself, I’m sure I can give him one or two pointers in the right direction to try help him meet his ambitions.’

Isaac Marriott –

‘I’m thrilled to be joining BPA from next season. A massive part of my decision was the chance to work again under Mark and his assistant Danny, and I was also inspired by the ambitious plans the club have moving forward. I also felt that during my loan spell the fans took a liking to me which is a big factor in me joining. They’re a great set of fans and I can’t wait to get started.’

Nick Bianchi (BKM Sports Management) –

‘It’s fabulous to see a club in such a strong position despite these truly unprecedented times, and the ambition of the manager Mark is matched by the Director of Football Operations, Martin Knight, and his long term plan to make BPA such a progessive and exciting club for players to go to. Isaac is looking forward to returning to the Horsfall’

#UTA

Don’t forget The Development Funds player sponsorship scheme is now up and running. It costs just £60 to sponsor a player either home or away so get in quick before he gets snatched up, Lewis Knight has already gone!! To sponsor a player signed for the club for next season please click here and fill out the player sponsorship form.