Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are pleased to confirm our First Team Management, Coaching, Recruitment and Scouting team for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Craig Elliott continues at the helm as First Team Manager and is joined by Danny Ellis, who comes on board as Player/Assistant Manager ahead of the new campaign, alongside Ryan Toulson, who starts his first season as Assistant Manager. Jak McCourt, who spent last season on loan from Ashton United, now joins Avenue permanently until the end of the 2025/26 season and continues in his role as Player/Coach. Karlos Leneghan also continues to oversee our goalkeepers as Goalkeeper Coach.
We can also confirm that key members of our backroom team will continue their outstanding work into the 2025/26 season.
Matt Harrison (Kitman)
Matt is an all-round legend in the dressing room. Since joining in early 2024/25, he’s kept the changing room buzzing with energy, passion and some of the best playlists around.
Brad Smith (Sports Therapist)
Now in his third season with the club, Brad is our dedicated First Team Sports Therapist and Academy Medical Lead. A graduate with BSc and MSc degrees in Sports Science and Therapy, Brad plays a vital role in keeping our players fit, healthy and ready to perform.
Holleigh Farrington (Club Secretary)
Holleigh took over the Secretary role in January 2024 and was deservedly named Club Person of the Year for her outstanding contribution during the 2024/25 season. Working closely with Craig on all player contracts and signings, Holleigh also acts as our Player Welfare Officer, holds a BSc in Sports Therapy, and is fully ITMIFF qualified.
Avenue are also delighted to welcome John Collins to the Horsfall Community Stadium as our new Head of Recruitment. John brings a wealth of experience and has already made an instant impact on and off the pitch.
John had this to say on his appointment:
“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work with such an historic club as BPA as Head of Recruitment. I’ve been here a couple of months and been welcomed by everyone at the club, and it’s clear to me Tom and the team are building something that will eventually see the club back where they belong.”
“Since I came in, I’ve played a big role in bringing Prince Ekpolo and Luke Parkin to the club, and both players are already showing in pre-season the influence they will have on the team.”
“I’m in almost daily contact with the manager discussing options for players to come to the club and I think Craig has built a fantastic squad that will make a real mark on the league this season. Hopefully the fans see that as well, with the season ticket sales through the roof.”“It’s been a good start, but let’s not stop here! We have a good, experienced team of scouts watching games each week, so we will strive to keep raising the bar in terms of quality players arriving at the club now and in the future.”
Supporting John is a dedicated network of scouts, whose hard work behind the scenes will help shape Avenue’s squad for this season. Our scouting team for the 2025/26 season includes:
Lewis Sale
Chris Bell
Richard Pickles
Ade Patrick
Stephen Tordoff
Mal Saville
James Bloodworth
Leon Hudson
Mike Conway
With the experience and commitment of this team, Avenue fans can look forward to a strong, competitive squad — and hopefully some exciting additions throughout the season.