Bradford (Park Avenue) return to Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon aiming to extend their unbeaten run to six matches as they take on Blyth Town in the Northern Premier League East Division.
Avenue currently sit 5th in the table, having collected 50 points from 29 games, and come into the fixture in good form. Craig Elliott’s side made it five unbeaten in midweek with a confident 2–0 home victory over Matlock Town, adding to recent draws against North Ferriby and Bridlington as momentum continues to build at a key stage of the season.
Blyth Town arrive in 21st place, with 24 points from 26 matches. Their recent form has been strong, showing both resilience and attacking threat with a 4–2 win over Newton Aycliffe, along with a strong 4-0 win at North Ferriby.
Home form has been a real positive for Avenue in recent weeks, and Saturday presents another opportunity to capitalise on that momentum. With the play-off race intensifying, Avenue will be focused on delivering another composed performance and turning pressure into points.
Match details
Saturday 7 February 2026 Kick-off: 3:00pm Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
This remarkable photograph captures a moment when football in Bradford truly brought the city to a standstill.
Taken ahead of a Bradford derby at Valley Parade, the image shows supporters packed tightly along the terraced hillsides, with stewards using a megaphone to manage the growing crowd. Around 35,000 people were in attendance – a figure that underlines just how central football was to life in the city at the time.
During this era, both Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bradford City were competing in the Football League, and derby days were major occasions. Supporters travelled from every corner of Bradford to watch the two clubs meet, turning fixtures like this into events that went far beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
For Park Avenue, this period saw the club regularly competing against some of the biggest and most established names in English football. Large crowds, high-profile opposition and a strong place within the national game were part of everyday life — a history that many younger supporters today may not fully realise.
Avenue Archives is a weekly series looking back at moments, memories and images from the club’s rich history — celebrating the stories that helped shape Bradford (Park Avenue).
Were you, or members of your family, at games like this? Do you have memories or stories passed down from these derby days? We’d love to hear them. B
Bradford (Park Avenue) can confirm that Josh Ashman has returned to Mickleover on loan for a further month.
The defender spent time with Mickleover earlier in the season before being recalled in December, and now returns in February to continue his development with regular first-team football.
Mickleover compete in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, operating at the same step as Avenue but within a different regional division, providing Ashman with valuable experience at a comparable level.
Josh remains an Avenue player and will be monitored closely throughout the loan spell. The club wishes him the best of luck during his time with Mickleover.
Avenue vs Barnoldswick Town 20 January 2026 | 7:45pm KO Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
Quarter-final football returns to the Horsfall on Tuesday evening as Avenue host Barnoldswick Town under the floodlights in the West Riding County Cup.
Avenue have progressed confidently through the competition so far, navigating earlier rounds with composed performances to earn a place in the last eight. With a semi-final spot on the line, Craig Elliott’s side will be determined to make home advantage count on a big cup night in BD6.
Barnoldswick Town arrive having already shown their resilience in this season’s competition. Their route to the quarter-finals has included tight encounters and a penalty shootout victory, underlining their ability to compete in high-pressure knockout football. They will travel to Bradford with nothing to lose and every intention of making the contest difficult.
While the two sides operate at different steps of the non-league pyramid, cup football often ignores league form and table positions. The stakes are clear on Tuesday night, and Avenue will need a focused and disciplined display to keep their cup run alive.
With the quarter-finals upon us and a place in the final four at stake, supporters are encouraged to get down to the Horsfall and back the lads under the lights.
Our home fixture against Matlock Town has been rearranged.
The match will now take place on Tuesday 3rd February, with a 7:45pm kick-off at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
For supporters who have already purchased tickets through Fanbase, your tickets will automatically be reassigned to the rearranged fixture. If you are unable to attend, please email Thomas.Ogden@bpafc.com to request a refund, or alternatively to move your tickets to another match.
Further matchday information will be shared in due course across our website and official channels.
Saturday 29 November 2025 – 3.00pm The VEST Construction Stadium, Stadium Way, St Helen Auckland, DL14 9AE
Bradford (Park Avenue) make another trip to the North East this weekend as Craig Elliott’s side face Bishop Auckland, aiming to turn performances into points and keep hold of a play-off position going into December.
Avenue sit fourth in the table on 32 points, with Emley, Bridlington and Dunston close behind in what is becoming one of the tightest promotion races in recent seasons. Tuesday’s goalless draw with Consett kept Avenue in the pack, but results elsewhere have narrowed the margins, making Saturday’s fixture another important challenge.
Despite the mixed results, Avenue remain firmly in the top five and continue to create opportunities in every match. A sharper final touch is all that’s missing, and Elliott’s players will see this weekend as a key opportunity to regain momentum.
Bishop Auckland sit 17th in the league with 20 points, only one point above the drop zone, but that doesn’t paint the full picture.
Their biggest strength this season has been their eye for goal. Bishop have scored 33 league goals, a total higher than Avenue, and more than several promotion-chasing sides including Emley and Bridlington Town.
While they have struggled defensively, they carry a threat going forward and remain capable of unsettling teams, especially on home soil.
Venue: The VEST Construction Stadium Stadium Way, St Helen Auckland DL14 9AE
Parking: Free parking is available on-site. Supporters must not park on the road outside the ground or at the entrance to the car park. Traffic wardens and police frequently issue fines in these restricted areas. Additional parking can be found within the nearby industrial estate, only a short walk from the stadium.
Extended journey times are expected due to rail replacement operations through Darlington.
Railhead: Darlington (RRB from York), then bus 1 to the ground
Bishop Auckland station: approx. 1.5 miles from the stadium
Train to Eaglescliffe
RRB to Bishop Auckland
Then bus 5 or 6 to Tindale Crescent
The catering hut and both bars will be open throughout the afternoon.
As the league table tightens, every point becomes vital. Avenue have shown resilience and quality throughout the season, and with the travelling support behind them once again, Saturday offers a strong opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Tuesday 25 November – 7:45pm Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue) look to respond and re-assert their play-off push on Tuesday night as Consett make the trip to the Horsfall in a key Northern Premier League East Division clash.
Avenue remain third in the table on 31 points, but with the pack closing in behind and a free weekend ahead, this fixture takes on added importance. It is a chance to put points on the board while rivals play elsewhere — and to set the tone heading into a rare break in the schedule.
Craig Elliott’s side head into the game looking to put two difficult league results behind them. A superb FA Trophy showing at Radcliffe highlighted the potential within the squad, but league defeats to Redcar Athletic the week prior, and one to Newton Aycliffe this week have underlined the need to rediscover the sharpness and resilience that carried Avenue through the early part of the season.
Consett arrive in 16th place but remain a dangerous opponent. They face Silsden on Saturday, meaning they will come into Tuesday potentially with momentum — or pressure — depending on their weekend result. Avenue will also be mindful that Consett will be hungry for revenge after being knocked out of the FA Trophy by Elliott’s men by two goals to nil earlier this season.
Their recent form shows they can frustrate and compete: a goalless draw with North Ferriby and tight matches with Newton Aycliffe and Dunston suggest a side willing to dig in and make games physical. With tensions likely high and both teams needing points for very different reasons, Tuesday is expected to be a lively, feisty encounter.
With no match this weekend, the message from inside the camp is clear: this is the game to put things right. And Avenue will need the Green Army behind them to do it. Under the lights at Horsfall, your backing can make the difference — show the lads who they play for and help drive them over the line.
Match Details
Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Consett Tuesday 25 November 7:45pm KO Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
Saturday 25 October 2025 | 3:00pm KO | Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue) are back in cup action this afternoon as they welcome Morpeth Town to the Horsfall Community Stadium in the Isuzu FA Trophy First Round Proper.
Craig Elliott’s side come into the tie full of confidence following Tuesday’s 3–0 win over Pontefract Collieries in the West Riding County Cup. A brace from Connor Shanks and a goal from Tom Corner sealed progression to Round Two, extending Avenue’s unbeaten run and maintaining their strong momentum across all competitions.
Reflecting on that performance, Elliott praised his players’ professionalism and application:
“I thought we played really well and deserved the victory. It’s not easy to stay motivated in these games, but we’re unbeaten now and hopefully can keep the run going into the weekend.”
Elliott also highlighted the depth in his squad after several rotated players impressed, including Shanks and Moke, adding that the team are “taking both cups seriously” as they aim to continue their winning form.
Morpeth Town make the trip from Northumberland sitting 20th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, one tier above Avenue. The Highwaymen advanced to the First Round after a dramatic 3–1 penalty shoot-out win over Runcorn Linnets, following a 1–1 draw away at Stockham Lane.
Recent league form has been mixed — Morpeth have taken three points from their last three matches, including a 2–0 home win over Workington last weekend. They’ve found goals at both ends, with narrow defeats to last seasons East champions Cleethorpes (1–2) and Warrington Rylands (3–4) earlier in October showing their attacking intent but defensive vulnerability.
This is Avenue’s fourth consecutive home tie in this season’s FA Trophy, having beaten Redcar Athletic, Consett, and Heaton Stannington in the qualifying rounds to reach the First Round Proper.
Speaking ahead of the game, Elliott acknowledged that Avenue go into the fixture as slight underdogs against higher-division opposition:
“It’s not often we’re underdogs at home. We’re playing a team from the league above, and I’m expecting a tough match. But we’ll be ready, and I hope as many fans can come down and get behind us. We want to go as far as we can in this competition.”
Match Info
🕒 Kick-off: 3:00pm 📍 Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
Bradford (Park Avenue) would like to extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to Junior Lead, Gary Ratnik, who departs the club this week after over four years of dedicated service to our junior and community programmes.
A message from Gary to you all is below.
Today is my final day of employment at the club.
When I first arrived at Bradford (Park Avenue), my goal was to make a real impact — to help develop something lasting for the next generation. Looking back now, I feel a great sense of achievement, even though the work is never truly done.
Our grassroots setup has become one of the best around, and the quality within our coaches, players, and culture has grown massively. I’m proud of how far we’ve come together — both technically and in the sense of belonging that runs through the whole membership.
The Performance Centre, now known as PlayerLab, reached over 140 participants at its peak. We’ve given our players incredible experiences — facing clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Leeds United, Hull City, Leicester City, Bradford City, Sheffield United, and Burnley — and even taking a team to the Belfast Cup. The programme continues to evolve with first-team players now involved in weekly sessions, which is something I’m really proud to have helped put in place.
Over the past three years, I’ve also been deeply involved in running our School Holiday Camps — with this summer welcoming over 75 young players, more than 60% of whom were new to the club.
It’s been a joy to introduce and drive forward the AveyFest Presentations, bringing everyone together to celebrate the achievements of the year, alongside two brilliant Junior Volunteer Award Nights, recognising all the effort and passion in our junior ranks.
When I first started, our involvement with local schools was minimal. Now, through teamwork and dedication, that’s grown to 31 hours a week of activity across multiple schools. I’ve loved helping to build the Enrichment Programme for children with SEN, and working closely with our scholars — mentoring them as young coaches, volunteers, and ambassadors of the club.
The club has changed so much since I first walked through the door just over four years ago. Back then, we had only the Pavilion and the Clubhouse. Since then, through collective hard work, we’ve seen the addition of new stadium facilities, modular changing rooms, offices, hospitality areas, and more.
Two projects I’ll always hold close are the café — born from the idea of creating a welcoming, safe space for our members and volunteers — and the new club entrance and shop, designed to improve safety and showcase our pride. Both were made possible by the amazing volunteers and young players who gave up their time and energy to help. I’m grateful to every single one of you who believed in my ideas and wanted to make BPA a better, stronger place.
Even as I leave, I’ve been able to help create a new museum and programme shop for everyone to enjoy on matchdays — something I hope will continue to grow.
I leave tired but proud. There’s always more to do, but I hope I’ve helped lay strong foundations for others to build upon. I can’t let go completely — football is part of who I am — so I’ll be continuing as a volunteer coach for the U10s. I’m sure I’ll see many of you at future matches, maybe in the bar rather than behind the entrance desk.
Finally, I’d like to thank Thomas McStravick for giving me the opportunity, and to all the coaches, parents, and volunteers who’ve stuck with me and helped build what we have today.
Tuesday 21 October 2025 | 7:45pm KO | Horsfall Community Stadium
Bradford (Park Avenue) return to Horsfall on Tuesday night as they host Pontefract Collieries in the First Round of the West Riding County Cup.
Craig Elliott’s side head into the fixture unbeaten in three matches, following a goalless draw with Heaton Stannington at the weekend. Avenue created the better chances throughout but couldn’t find a breakthrough, with Marcus Carver, Joe Ackroyd and Kareem Hassan-Smith all going close in front of goal.
Captain Mark Beevers made his return from injury to lead the side and will hope to build on that display as Avenue look to continue their positive run of form and progress in the County Cup.
The two teams last met in August, when Avenue produced a convincing 3-0 victory at Ossett United’s Ingfield ground — goals from Beevers and a brace from Charlie Winfield sealing all three points in a strong away performance.
Tuesday’s clash provides another opportunity for Elliott’s men to maintain momentum ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy First Round Proper tie against Morpeth Town, while offering valuable minutes to the wider squad.
Kick-off: 7:45pm Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟 Admission:
Adults – £6.00
Concessions (65+, Blue Light, Students, Armed Forces) – £4.00
