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.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to confirm the return of Dan Francis, one of last season’s standout performers, who is back at the Horsfall until the end of 25/26 season to further strengthen Craig Elliott’s squad ahead of the new campaign.

Francis was a commanding figure for Avenue last season, making 30 appearances and scoring six goals — an outstanding contribution for a defender and a testament to his quality at both ends of the pitch. He left the club to pursue a career in Germany but now makes his much-anticipated return to West Yorkshire.

A former Bantams youth product and Sierra Leone international, Dan brings with him valuable experience from Germany’s Regionalliga and Oberliga, where he turned out for Rot Weiss Ahlen, KFC Uerdingen 05 and TuS Bövinghausen. His composure, professionalism and attacking threat quickly made him a fan favourite at the Horsfall, and he now rejoins a refreshed squad under new First Team Manager Craig Elliott and his backroom team.

First Team Manager Craig Elliott had this to say on the signing:

“I am so happy to bring Dan back to the club. He was a brilliant player last season for us and we badly missed him when he left to pursue work commitments.

“I know he’s had plenty of interest from teams higher up the pyramid but I’m delighted he can see his future at BPA and I have no doubt he will be a big player for us this season.”

This signing would not have been possible without the fantastic backing of the Supporters Club (Development Fund), whose continued support is making a real difference on and off the pitch. If you’d like to get involved or help strengthen the squad further, please consider making a donation or contacting Dave Stordy directly.

Development Fund Donation Details:
Sort Code: 05-02-00
Account Number: 29955993
Reference: BTB

Welcome back to the Horsfall, Dan! We are also happy to announce that Dan is proudly sponsored by Tesco Ian.

Our pre-season schedule continues this week as Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC travel to face Tadcaster Albion.

It’s another valuable opportunity for Craig Elliott’s side to build fitness, test combinations, and keep preparations on track for a big 2025/26 campaign.

Fixture Details:
📅 Thursday 10th July
🕢 Kick-Off: 7:30PM
📍 Tadcaster Albion, LS24 9AY

We’d love to see plenty of the Green Army on the road to back the lads!

Come along, show your support, and let’s keep building towards the new season together.

Buy tickets for our home friendly vs Bradford City XI here – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures/Index?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=361

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce the return of Ryan Toulson, who joins Craig Elliott’s management team as Assistant Manager alongside Danny Ellis ahead of the new season.

Well known to the Green Army, Toulson is no stranger to the Horsfall Community Stadium. The former Avenue defender and fan favourite previously combined playing and coaching duties during his time here before departing in 2022 to take the First Team Manager role at Eccleshill United.

Most recently, Toulson was in charge at Liversedge, stepping in as player-manager on an interim basis in September 2024 following the departure of long-serving boss Jonathan Rimmington. After steadying the ship through a challenging period, he was appointed permanently and guided the side through the remainder of the campaign before leaving the role in April.

With a wealth of experience both on the pitch and in the dugout, Toulson brings invaluable knowledge of non-league football and an unwavering commitment to the club he knows so well. Having now officially hung up his boots, he will focus fully on his duties as Assistant Manager, working closely alongside First Team Manager Craig Elliott and fellow Assistant Manager Danny Ellis as Avenue prepare for the challenges ahead in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Watch his first interview since his return below

Everyone at Bradford (Park Avenue) welcomes Ryan back to the club and wishes him every success in his new role.

💚 Welcome back, Tully!

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC kick off their 2025/26 pre-season campaign at home against National League neighbours FC Halifax Town.

Join us at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday 5th July, with kick-off at 12PM. It’s the perfect chance to see the squad back in action and get an early look at preparations for the season ahead.

Admission:

• Adults: £5
• U18s: £1

We’d love to see a strong crowd to get behind the lads — bring your friends and family and back the Green Army!

🎟️ Buy your tickets here:
https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures/Index?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=361

#Bradford #ParkAvenue #GreenArmy

🟢 Saturday 5th July – 12PM KO
BPAFC vs FC Halifax Town
📍 Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟️ Admission: £5 Adults / £1 U18s

🟡 Thursday 10th July – 7:30PM KO
Tadcaster Albion vs BPAFC
📍 Tadcaster Albion, LS24 9AY
🎟️ Admission: TBC

🟡 Monday 14th July – 7:30PM KO
Eccleshill United vs BPAFC
📍 Servo Group Stadium, BD2 1PN
🎟️ Admission: TBC

🟢 Saturday 19th July – 1PM KO
BPAFC vs Folkestone Invicta
📍 Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟️ Admission: FREE!

🟢 Monday 21st July – 7:30PM KO
BPAFC vs Guiseley
📍 Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟️ Admission: FREE!

🟢 Tuesday 29th July – 7:30PM KO
BPAFC vs Bradford City XI
📍 Horsfall Stadium, BD6 2NG
🎟️ Admission: £5 Adults / £1 U18s

🎟️ BUY TICKETS for FC Halifax Town & Bradford City fixtures here:
👉 https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=36

#Bradford #ParkAvenue #GreenArmy