11 Jan 2023

Match Preview Double Header – Spennymoor Town (A) and Scarborough Athletic (H)

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Two games in three days await the Avenue in the Vanarama National League North.

Bradford (Park Avenue) aim to extend their unbeaten run to seven games as they prepare to take on Spennymoor Town at The Brewery Field on Saturday. More importantly, the Avenue will be chasing the three points after a trio of successive draws since Christmas.

The Avenue approach this game following a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Kettering Town, a game that saw the visitors reduced to ten men before halftime and relying on a makeshift goalkeeper to guard the sticks in the form of their midfield goal scorer George Forsyth. A resolute Kettering kept Bradford (Park Avenue) at bay for 95 minutes and were saved by the woodwork three times before Jordan Preston’s stoppage time strike rescued a point for the hosts.

Spennymoor Town will be boasting their own unbeaten league run as they welcome Bradford (Park Avenue), accumulating ten points from a possible twelve in their previous four games, a streak that has seen them move six points clear of the relegation zone. The Avenue defence will need to keep a close eye on experienced attacker Glen Taylor who is now into double figures this season following his goal against AFC Telford last week. Taylor has netted three goals in his last four games for the Moors.

A win for Bradford (Park Avenue) would see them move level on points with this Saturday’s opponents, but Spennymoor Town’s superior goal difference means the Avenue would need to win by at least four goals to climb above them. The Green Army will head to The Brewery Field with fond memories of last season’s trip, a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Sam Fielding and Lewis Knight. The Avenue players will also be out to avenge their defeat to Spennymoor in the reverse fixture, with the Moors coming away from the Horsfall with a narrow 1-0 victory back in August.

You can watch the goals from our last visit to the Brewery Field on our YouTube channel below.

YouTube player

Just two days after the trip to Spennymoor, Bradford (Park Avenue) will be welcoming Yorkshire rivals and promotion hopefuls Scarborough Athletic to the Horsfall Community Stadium, a rearranged fixture which originally fell foul to the cold weather in mid-December.

Despite occupying one of the playoff positions, Scarborough have suffered from a dip in form in recent weeks, losing their previous two games. Bradford (Park Avenue) will also be looking to exploit the visitors’ leaky defence, with the Seadogs having conceded 40 goals in 25 games this season, the fifth highest total in the National League North, and have not kept a clean sheet since their away win at Buxton in mid-November.

However, despite struggling to plug the gaps in defence, Scarborough have certainly not been shy in front of the opposition goal, their tally of 45 goals scored being second only behind league leaders Darlington. Scarborough manager Jonathan Greening (famously part of Manchester United’s treble winning squad in 1999) will look to call upon experienced forward Michael Coulson, who has averaged 0.56 goals per game this season with 11 in 23 appearances for the North Yorkshire side.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will still be wondering how they did not win the reverse fixture between these sides back in August. The Green Army were leading 2-0 at The Flamingo Land Stadium and looked set to secure what would have been their first win of the season, only for former Halifax Town forward Dom Tear to net two goals in the final five minutes to share the spoils.

Instead, Avenue fans of a certain age may choose to look back fondly on the only other competitive encounter between the two sides. In November 1959, Fourth Division Bradford (Park Avenue) thumped non-league Scarborough FC 6-1 in the FA Cup first round, with the latter eventually replaced by phoenix club Scarborough Athletic following dissolution in 2007. With the games coming thick and fast in the second half of the season, points are imperative for the Green Army to ensure they are looking up the table instead of over their shoulders.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw

Saturday 14th January – Spennymoor Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off: 3pm

Location: The Brewery Field, Wood Vue, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6JN

Getting there by train: Durham train station is located 6.1 miles away from The Brewery Field. From the station it is easy to get a taxi to the ground or to hop onto the number 6 bus route. There is also the option of Darlington Train Station, which is located 15.3 miles from The Brewery Field. There is the option of a taxi from the station, or you can jump on the number 8 bus route, both of which take around 35 minutes.

By bus: The number 6 bus route direct from Durham City centre bus station drops off directly outside The Brewery Field, collecting from the station every ten minutes from 6.40am onwards.

By car: Spennymoor Town Football Club advise visiting fans not to park around the private streets surrounding The Brewery Field. Due to parking restrictions operating on a matchday, the club recommend making use of public transport wherever possible.

Turnstiles: Visiting supporters arriving at The Brewery Field have the option to enter from two different turnstiles. The Wood Vue turnstiles, located on the South East corner of the ground or the Tees Crescent turnstiles located on the South West corner of the ground.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here, or on the turnstiles with Cash or Card.

Prices:

Adults: £15

Concessions (60+): £10

Juniors (u18s): £5

Monday 16th January – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Scarborough Athletic

Kick off: 7:45pm

Where To Find Us:

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC, Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below):

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682.

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

11 Jan 2023

LANCASTER RETURNS ON LOAN!

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We are delighted to announce the return of Will Lancaster, on loan from Barnsley until the end of the season.

Will re-joins having played 8 games for the Avenue in his previous spell and is available for selection straight away

On the deal Mark said ‘its great to get Lanny back, we are a bit short on players in that area of the pitch and we know what we are getting from him. Lanny did well for us in his previous spell and hopefully he continues that form now.

We can also confirm that following Reece Staunton’s injury we have decided to not pursue our appeal against his red card.

10 Jan 2023

MATCH REPORT – Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 – 1 Kettering Town

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Six unbeaten for the Avenue after late equaliser secures vital point.

Bradford (Park Avenue) came from behind with a stoppage time equaliser from Jordan Preston to earn a 1-1 draw in what was at times an ill-tempered affair with Kettering Town on Saturday.

The Avenue came into the game on the back of a five game unbeaten run in the Vanarama National League North, but it was the visitors who struck first. Kettering made their early pressure count on 26 minutes when George Forsyth rounded off a well-worked corner as his effort looped over Avenue keeper Sykes-Kenworthy and into the goal.

Undeterred by the early setback, the Kettering opener seemed to act as a wakeup call for the Avenue with Will Longbottom’s fierce strike glancing the crossbar just minutes later.

As the first half wore on, Bradford (Park Avenue) continued to forge their way back into the game but tempers soon began to flare towards the end of the half. On the brink of halftime, the lively Longbottom found his name in the referee’s book after reacting angrily to a reckless Kettering challenge, and with seconds remaining of the first half, a melee ensued in the Kettering penalty area after a goalmouth scramble. Having consulted both of his on-field assistants, the referee adjudged Kettering goalkeeper Cameron Gregory to have lashed out at Avenue’s Jamie Spencer and brandished a red to the stopper, leaving Kettering Town to play the rest of the game with ten men and an outfield player (goal scorer George Forsyth) in goal.

However, despite their one man advantage Bradford (Park Avenue) struggled to break down the opposition’s resolute defence. Twice Avenue smashed the woodwork, and in the aftermath of the latter effort, half time substitute Harrison Hopper was brought down when challenging for the rebound. A penalty against an outfield player between the sticks seemed the perfect opportunity to net an equaliser, but Jacob Blyth’s spot kick was sent high over the crossbar, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Various stoppages of play during the second half meant that a hefty eight minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official, although Bradford boss Mark Bower was aggrieved in his post-match interview that more time was not given. The home support were convinced that it just was not their day as the Avenue once again rattled the woodwork, but five minutes into stoppage time Bradford’s pressure paid off when Jordan Preston took aim from the edge of the penalty area and found the bottom corner of the net through a sea of red shirts.

Not content with the point, Bradford (Park Avenue) pushed on for a winner in the few minutes that remained but it was to no avail as the referee blew for full time. Bower expressed his disappointment with the draw and the missed opportunities in the second half, accepting that his side had created “numerous good openings with efforts on goal missing the target”. Reflecting on his side running out of time, Bower admitted, “we got the goal too late I think, if we get the goal ten or fifteen minutes earlier I think we go on and win it comfortably”.

The result leaves Bradford (Park Avenue) 17th in the Vanarama National League North, three points ahead of Kettering Town who still occupy the final relegation spot in 21st. Next up for the Avenue is a trip to Spennymoor Town this Saturday 14th Jan, who are currently four games without defeat. The Green Army will be hoping to stretch their own unbeaten run to seven games and avenge the 1-0 defeat inflicted upon them in the reverse fixture back in August.

Watch the highlights from the match below!

YouTube player

FULL TIME: BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) 1 – 1 KETTERING TOWN

(26’) GOAL Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-1 Kettering Town – George Forsyth

(45+3’) RED CARD – Kettering Town – Cameron Gregory

(90+5’) GOAL – Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Kettering Town – Jordan Preston        

Attendance – 415

Writer: Stephen Grimshaw

Our next home game is our rescheduled match vs Scarborough Athletic! The match will take place on 16th January with a 7:45pm KO.

5 Jan 2023

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Kettering Town – The Green Army welcome The Poppies in the Vanarama National League North.

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Bradford (Park Avenue) will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six games as they host Kettering Town on Saturday, the first side to visit the Horsfall Community Stadium in 2023.

The Avenue head into this weekend’s encounter fresh from a gruelling festive double header with local rivals Farsley Celtic, with both West Yorkshire sides proving to be inseparable across the two fixtures. A 1-1 Boxing Day draw in what appeared to be all weather conditions at the Horsfall was followed by an entertaining 2-2 at the Citadel on New Year’s Day.

Avenue’s fiery encounter away to Farsley saw them reduced to ten men after a questionable first half red card. Avenue boss Mark Bower expressed his disappointment with the referee’s decision, but conceded the unlikeliness of a successful appeal on his side’s behalf. However, Bower was delighted with his team’s resilience as they fought back to claim a vital point in their bid to continue their climb up the league table.

The visitors this weekend currently sit in 21st position, in the relegation zone only on goal difference behind Curzon Ashton. Incidentally the Northamptonshire-based side hold the second-worst goal difference in the National League North, a statistic Bradford (Park Avenue) will be aiming to exploit on Saturday afternoon. Despite this, Kettering will be arriving at the Horsfall in good spirits following an important 2-1 victory away to mid-table Peterborough Sports on Boxing Day, their first win in five games. The return fixture (originally scheduled for New Year’s Day) was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Latimer Park, meaning Kettering will have had an extra week’s rest as they prepare to make the trip north.

The reverse fixture between Bradford (Park Avenue) and Kettering Town earlier in the season saw the Avenue pick up their first point of the campaign. Adam Nowakowski’s 80th minute equaliser was enough to earn a 1-1 draw at Latimer Park on matchday 2. However it was this fixture last season which is arguably more memorable in Avenue minds. After two red cards in the space of five second half minutes for Bradford’s Havern and Toulson, Kettering thought they had salvaged a point with Lamine Sherif’s 89th minute equaliser, only for Avenue’s Nicky Clee to win it with virtually the last kick of the game.

With only three points currently separating the two sides and Kettering holding a game in hand, a win on Saturday for Bradford (Park Avenue) would be vital in pulling further clear of the relegation zone.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw

Where To Find Us

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC

Horsfall Community Stadium

Cemetery Road

Bradford

West Yorkshire

BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus:

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

Adult – £14

Concession – £10

Student – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1

29 Dec 2022

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s notes (26/12/22)

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We’re all over the disappointment of the World Cup now and can get back to real football again! Paying millions for a four year competition is a world away from non-league in local communities. No doubt the cost of one ‘pop up’ stadium in Qatar would cover all NL budgets for a season or two.

Which gets me back to the UK Fan-led Review.

One of its early themes is the reckless pursuit of wealth by clubs and the enormous financial losses most football clubs regularly incur.

Our own plans require us to establish the solid base of a sports-led stadium developing community-led and well-supported growth for young people of all abilities, so that they can find personal and educational development and link that to activities at Horsfall.

This tends to offer value for parents and their children at affordable levels and meaningful activity to harness youthful energy. Combining sport and non-academic education allows for personal growth and achievement and whether it is linked to soccer at Avenue, rugby at West Bowling or athletics with Bradford and Airedale, or even all three, we are moving towards organising age group progress and improving facilities for all those users.

It takes time and money to do this and each of our anchor users are moving along similar lines and uncovering funding and volunteers to create the vision.

We have relied on substantial grants and some loans, along with very generous contributions from our own benefactor to get us this far and we are all well aware that financial viability is essential.

Bradford has a good history of philanthropic benefactors over decades. My own favourite is Titus Salt as I was born in that neck of the woods, but there were many others and it would be good to see those who have made good in the city returning benefits for such good causes and getting involved in the quest for a viable sports stadium that aims to help youngsters.

It is proving to be only a little easier to find grants than to find patronage from entrepreneurs these days, but we are all keen to find the new patrons.

Running a football club is almost by definition a pathway to insolvency if we don’t manage the finances well and finding the next generation of players to eventually win a World Cup starts at the grassroots, which is where our investment plans start.

Here at Avenue we older supporters know only too well that the sudden loss of a benefactor can create havoc and Gareth knows that too. All benefactors must share the concerns of how their legacy is perceived, so finding the numbers of supporters or the individuals needed is a perpetual quest. Hopefully it will be more successful than seeking the Holy Grail!

See you again in what we all hope will be the Happy New Year and more NLN points.

26 Dec 2022

Bradford (Park Avenue) mid-season review: Avenue’s second half of the season is looking brighter

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After a slow start to the season and early fears of falling through the NLN trapdoor, Bradford (Park Avenue) have shown resilience to drag themselves from the brink.

Avenue had one of the worst possible starts to the season, with fans spending the first two months wondering where the first win was coming from.  Losing seven and drawing four left Avenue sitting at the bottom of the table with no end to their dismal run in sight.

To compound matters, they even suffered defeat in the FA Cup second qualifying round against level nine side Ashington AFC away from home.

It looked like their fortunes were not going to change in October as they went down to their heaviest defeat of the season so far, losing 4-1 to Southport but the following weekend the patient Avenue faithful were rewarded with a welcome first win.  Curzon Ashton, so often our bogey team, surrendered all three points at Horsfall Stadium.  This result sparked a revival with the team going on to win their next two league games and, despite a blip against high-flying Brackley Town, they rounded off the month with a well fought victory over Gloucester City.  This excellent month propelled Avenue up the table and out of the drop zone for the first time in the season.

November didn’t start well.  The team kicked off with back-to-back defeats.  A creditable draw at Alfreton was followed by a disappointing exit from the FA Trophy at the hands of local rivals Farsley Celtic.  Hope was restored at the end of the month with wins against newly promoted Banbury and long-established NLN side Boston.

This put them in good stead for December and Avenue duly went on to win their opening two games.  The determination and resilience shown by the players in the match at Buxton will live long in the memories of those fortunate enough to witness it.   Finding themselves a goal down in added time, Avenue conjured two great goals to snatch all three points.

At this halfway point of the season Avenue are sitting in 17th place, four points away from the drop and, for the optimists among us, ten points off the play-off places. 

Avenue head into today’s Boxing Day derby against Farsley Celtic buoyed by their recent run of results and determined to take revenge for that defeat in the FA Trophy.   The sides resume their rivalry at the Citadel on New Year’s Day.

You can watch all the goals from the first half of the season on our YouTube Channel below.

YouTube player
19 Dec 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Farsley Celtic (H)

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This Boxing Day The Green Army play host to the Celt Army in the Vanarama National League North. Please note that Kick Off is set for the earlier time of 1pm.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be aiming to serve up a Christmas cracker for their home support as they host West Yorkshire rivals Farsley Celtic at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Boxing Day, the first of a festive double-header between the two sides.

A rejuvenated Avenue are heading into Monday’s derby off the back of an impressive three wins in a row and will hope that the two postponements since their last outing, a 1-0 home victory over AFC Telford United, will have given their players enough recuperation to continue their climb up the table.

The visitors this weekend currently occupy one of the four relegation spots in the National League North, sitting in 22nd place as they make the short seven-mile journey across West Yorkshire.

Like many clubs outside of the top two divisions of the Football League, the cold weather has also disrupted Farsley’s December fixtures, but their last outing earlier in December saw them record a surprise 2-0 victory at home to high-fliers King’s Lynn Town, only the latter’s third league defeat of the season. However, Farsley’s lack of consistency has proven to be a problem in their bid to avoid relegation as they are yet to secure back-to-back wins in this campaign.

Revenge will no doubt be on the minds of the Avenue players and staff following last month’s defeat to Farsley in the FA Trophy. Farsley emerged victorious at the Horsfall with a narrow 2-1 victory, dumping Bradford (Park Avenue) out of the competition in just the Second round.

However, with Farsley sat six points behind Bradford (PA) with two games in hand, the Avenue faithful might argue the importance of the upcoming league fixtures instead, as a win on Monday would move them nine points clear of their rivals.

Avenue boss Mark Bower will have no complaints about the goal contributions from his players in previous games, with five players contributing to the six goals scored in the recent run of victories.

Jordan Preston was particularly impressive in the victory over AFC Telford United last time out, with the Scottish striker netting his first goal since joining on loan from Spennymoor Town. Bower will be hoping for more of the same over the festive period.

A win on Monday for the Avenue is also essential to improve their disappointing head-to-head record against the visitors. From the previous six league meetings between the two sides, the Green Army have only been victorious twice.

However, the last league meeting between the two clubs back in March saw the Avenue emerge with a 1-0 home victory. This, coupled with Farsley failing to pick up any points in their previous four away fixtures this term, means Bradford (Park Avenue) will have their sights firmly set on the win.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw

Where To Find Us

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
Horsfall Community Stadium
Cemetery Road
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD6 2NG

Directions By Car:

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and follow signs for the M606. Continue on the M606 to junction 3 and take the A6117 exit to Ring Road West. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit on to Rooley Lane / A6036 signposted Halifax. Pass the Odsal Stadium on the left hand side and at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Halifax Road / A6036 signposted Halifax. After approximately one mile turn left down Cemetery Road immediately before the Kids Planet Children’s Nursery, and the ground is 150 yards on the left. We have a car park which will be signposted off Cemetery Road and parking charges may apply.

Directions By Train:

Bradford Interchange rail station is the nearest to the ground and trains operate on the  Calder Valley Line timetable from Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Manchester, Preston and York.

From there you can catch the bus directly to the ground (details below).

Bradford Forster Square rail station There are regular services from Leeds (Leeds-Bradford Line timetable), Skipton (Airedale Line timetable) and Ilkley (Wharfedale Line timetable).

From Forster Square it is a 10 minute walk to Bradford Interchange bus station for a bus onwards to the stadium.

Directions By Bus: 

From Bradford Interchange bus station bus services 681 and 682 and Halifax Bus Station bus services 508, 681 and 682

These services stop at the Halifax Road Cemetery Road stop near to the stadium.

Turnstiles:

The turnstiles open around an hour and a half before kick off and are located at either end of the ground on Cemetery Road and Park Road. Matchday prices for league games are as follows:

  • Adult – £14
  • Concession – £10
  • Student – £5
  • Youth (12-17) – £3
  • Junior (under 12, must be accompanied by an adult) – £1
24 Nov 2022

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s notes (19/11/22)

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Reflecting on the previous couple of years since my own deeper involvement with the club we have survived the pandemic and are getting back on a more even keel after temporarily losing our managers and happily rehiring them! The sad loss of our company secretary, Colin, and his knowledge and scouting was a deep and unexpected loss.

We have since separated the stadium operation from the football side of the business in terms of allocating responsibilities. Martin Knight with Mark Bower and Danny Boshell run the footballing operation with Tom McStravick and his coaches running and growing the Junior and Academy teams.

Calum Cullen operates across both elements as the Football Secretary and the Stadium Manager.

In effect he has two jobs in one.

Plenty of good communication is needed with the National League and all clubs in NLN to ensure we are compliant and responsive. He registers players, runs the stadium payroll, oversees pitch bookings and room bookings. He ensures matchdays are fully staffed, liaises with our new security company, operates the new shop and shack, organises new board sponsorships from initiating sales to getting the boards organised (more than ever before.)

He ensures we have a video record of the game and tries to get radio commentators and all with income and cost control targets to hit. He has recruited Bradford City Ladies to play and pay for pitch time, amongst others. We have hosted two international matches now, one soccer, one rugby league and can build our reputation as hosts. He must balance the multiplicity of expectations from all stadium users and solve all operational problems.

Tom McStravick and his team of qualified coaches run the Juniors and Academy teams and they have enlarged this part of the club and they are looking at engagement with close to 400 aspiring youngsters. He has established links with other local clubs and the Bradford Boys experts. He has links with his roots in Ireland and has grown connections with Man Utd and Sheffield Utd to try find and develop the future footballers we need. This both costs money and creates income and is operating for the long-term benefit of the club. Our U19 first team successes on the pitch are the seeds of future success in NLN.

If we can operate the Stadium company so that it no longer costs money to run, and we can grow the community network of young players, we can help with the continuing education of local youngsters and at the same time we aim to improve the fabric of the stadium so it is fit for purpose.

Major capital investment has come from Gareth and from available grants, with some help from loans. The Pavilion has been improved thanks to a council loan so that all the changing rooms are fit for purpose at last and plumbing, drainage and electrics have been improved.

We will soon be improving the toilets alongside the Pavilion. We know there is more to do – on toilets and disabled facilities and we continue to search for grants that will make a difference.

Meanwhile Calum has been using young novices, apprentices and volunteers to help matchdays and other income opportunities. Everyone employed must earn their salaries and more, develop skills and add value. He gets help from them to put the programme together, do some social media work and/or earn money from retail sales.

When I look at other NLN clubs on away visits, I’m always amazed at just how much is delegated to full time employees and how few people we rely on.

Everyone is helping to keep costs down and to create income so that we can afford to operate the football team successfully at NL level. We are helped by the Supporters’ Development Fund who create income from events and volunteer work which helps Martin, Mark and Danny to get players when they need to find extra funding over their allocated budgets.

Lots of changes, lots of facility improvements, an improved stadium and a team that will hold its own in NLN, which is key for all of us. The infamous ‘powers that be’ are the people you see working around the stadium. They are few and very hard working and, like me, often volunteers. No mysterious strangers and indeed we have added Neil Fawcett to the Stadium Director team, which is constituted with representatives of BPA, West Bowling and Bradford and Airedale Athletics Club, plus a Harold Park rep. Neil and Ben are stalwart volunteer helpers often seen together helping BPA at all times.The directors are led by a local man, Robert Clunas, with strong connections to Horsfall, its neighbours and councillors. If you feel you can help us by volunteering, please contact Calum. He has shown a great talent for coping with the challenges of a changing environment.

Paul’s notes will be posted every Thursday after a home match – So stay tuned to our website and socials!