Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host strugglers F.C United of Manchester.
Saturday’s opponents occupy 20th place in the Vanarama National League North table, four points adrift of 19th-placed Hereford.
Mark Bower’s side were held to a 2-2 draw at Broadhurst Park when the two sides last met, but ran out as 3-0 winners when the Reds last visited the Horsfall Stadium.
By the time that F.C United arrive in West Yorkshire on Saturday, their win-less run will have stretched beyond a month and the visitors will be keen to improve on recent form.
Neil Reynolds’ side were swept aside by Chester last Saturday, four days after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Chorley on New Years’ Day.
In This Weeks Programme:
Player Profile:
Learn about our young goalkeeper as Jack Atkinson takes on our questions.
Tale’s From The Horton End:
In this issue Paul discusses a topic close to many Avenue fans of all generations – Red Amber and Black vs Green and White. Paul might well have the answer to pleasing everyone. Pick up your programme at the game to find out!
Head To Head: Last 5 Games
| Date | Competition | Venue | BPAFC | FC United Of Manchester | Result |
| 02/09/18 | League | Away | 2 | 2 | Draw |
| 24/03/18 | League | Away | 0 | 4 | Loss |
| 19/08/17 | League | Home | 3 | 0 | Win |
| 08/04/17 | League | Home | 0 | 0 | Draw |
| 05/11/16 | League | Away | 3 | 2 | Win |
| Win | Draw | Lose | |
| BPAFC | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| FC United Of Manchester | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Knowing The Opposition
Danny Morton
F.C United’s latest recruit, 26-year-old Morton, made the switch from league rivals Curzon Ashton just recently. An assured defender, he served as captain during a spell at Stalybridge Celtic and has also represented the likes of Stockport County and Clitheroe.
Kurt Willoughby
21-year-old marksman Willoughby joined from Clitheroe ahead of the 2018/19 season. He broke the 30-goal barrier for his former employers during the 2017/18 campaign and was capped by the England ‘C’ team for the first time in October 2018.
Match Sponsor: Spanish Trails
Spanish Trails is a series of two books written by Bradford based Phil Lawler.
The books are available from Amazon, Waterstones or direct from Phil at www.spanishtrailsco.com
Book one is a guide to walks in the Picos de Europa and includes walks ranging from easy to strenuous, with clear information about the level of difficulty for each walk, along with some information about how to get there and places to stay.
The area covered by Book Two is near Nerja and Cómpeta in the far south of Spain. 20 years ago scarcely anybody walked in these hills, but it is now a popular area for British and other hikers, thanks to a network of great paths. Some of these had been abandoned for many years, but were brought back into use by Phil and his colleagues in the late 1990s.
Further more, a discount is available to Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC fans if ordering direct from the website.
Find out more at http://spanishtrailsco.com/public/publications/
Upcoming Fans Forum
Next Friday, the 18th of January, the club will host a fans forum in the clubhouse from 7pm. Supporters are invited to ask questions or just catch up for a chat. Club owner Gareth Roberts will be in attendance along with CEO, Damian Irvine.
In a statement, Gareth said:
“When we last had the chance to discuss the club and changes we had made, I made it very clear that we need to make changes in order to create a sustainable and affordable future for our club. Whilst we have seen some growth in gates over the past season, visiting clubs like Stockport County last week only demonstrates how wide the gap is between gate and commercial revenues from our competitors at the top of the league to us.”
“We must take an open minded approach and look forwards not backwards when looking at initiatives and changes that can be made and I ask you to consider that and support our efforts which at the end of the day, are focused on creating a club that doesn’t rely on the financial support of one person to remain solvent.”
Gareth’s full statement can be read in the match day programme against FC United of Manchester so make sure to pick up your copy or pre order by contacting Dave Stordy.
The bar will be open on the night and the floor will be open for questions and discussion.