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
22 Dec 2022

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (17/12/22)

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We have some big games this month, mainly for getting points on the board but also for making money. Each month we are getting a bit closer to the stadium company breaking even, which would be a major milestone and would allow us to consider first team improvements if and when any are required.

As the World Cup draws to a close we can be grateful we have no VAR technology spoiling our games. I’d be fine with goal-line technology but for the rest we are happily too far away to qualify
for all that. I’d rather talk about the refs and liners than wait for ever for marginal offside decisions.

Like the players on the pitch the officials are trying to do their best (with at least eleven blokes having a pop at them). They need all the support we can give them!

For us it’s a rare pleasure to be moving up the table and wondering if we might make the playoffs again and it shows the value of sticking with the management team. Their weeks of hard work and vision is starting to bear fruit and confounding the handful of critics we have.

The NL have given us a long, detailed diatribe on their deal with BT on streaming games. They seem destined to create a similar hierarchy of wealth that exists with the PL and EFL, where the top division gets the bulk of the financial benefits and the rest feed off scraps. No ‘levelling up’ troubling them and no democratic voting system across the three divisions either!

The NL Board have recently been taken to task on their ‘broken promises’ to distribute lottery cash based partly on attendances, which never happened. We benefitted from that decision to share the money more broadly and we are keen to see greater equality of any cash-sharing dividends.

Clubs with bigger gates already get bigger income but the NL should look after all its clubs, not the few richer ones. However it makes no sense having governance rules or making statements and not applying them.

That goes for the planned streaming income share too, but the desire to give the premier division more is likely to prevail.

The NL Board risk exacerbating the accusation that vested interest is at play in their considerations. We were fined £6k when we cancelled matches just before the league closedown and must have been one of the few businesses in the country to have been fined for preventing the spread of Covid.

The NL fined other clubs too, to the tune of about £100k, rigidly using their rules when others were applying common sense. It might help the NL Board if they added some independent directors with commercial backgrounds to help them reach decisions and avoid the ‘vested interest’ charge.

8 Dec 2022

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (05/12/22)

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As we start the run-in to Christmas I’d like to praise the work of our volunteer ‘work force’. If I started with names I’d forget one and feel bad. On a matchday I see so many volunteers in all parts of the ground. They enjoy their role and put smiles on faces. They are friendly and helpful and they create a great impression on all those folk attending games, whatever small role they play. Every one of them is important and highly valued.

Of course you are all volunteer helpers if you rock up to support the team, pay for entry, buy some food and drink or kit from the shop. You have chosen to come and give your time and funds to support Avenue.

We have been rebuilding a club that was broken in the seventies and had some wilderness years before keen supporters resurrected us with most giving up time and money and starting fund-raising efforts to get us to our current level. We have travelled to several ‘homes’ before landing at Horsfall. All their past efforts are respected, fill us with pride and our newer supporters can now pick up the baton and press on, creating new friendships and loyalties.

Back in our league days crowds were fairly evenly spread across the two Bradford clubs but currently City can pull in large numbers of the city’s football fans, so we are working hard to create a new Bradford (Park Avenue) and hoping we can attract a thousand of those football fans for each home game as this number would help us grow and prosper.

That’s our first target, not our last, so please let’s create a City with two league clubs, like Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. We start with an improving stadium, friendly volunteers, very few paid employees and a love of football.

Bring a friend, tell your family, ask your business if they can help, sponsor players at every level and be a part of creating a friendly club atmosphere.

The club has helped to develop lots of young players recently from Romoney Critchlow at City, to Jake Beesley at Blackpool, Harry Boyes at Forest Green, Alex Hurst at York, Isaac Marriott at Altrincham, Olly Arblaster and Andre Brooks are now breaking into the first team at Sheffield Utd. We continue to help our players fulfill their ambitions and we enjoy their successes. Thomas Angell and Will Lancaster are our latest young stars stepping up with our help. It’s what makes us an attractive club for aspiring young players, playing with highly experienced players and working with Mark and Danny.

I’m proud to be a small part of a friendly club with good supporters, who are welcome at every away ground because we behave, have a drink or a brew, leave fireworks to experts, chant support rather than obscenities and collect programmes! We love our football and appreciate other non-league clubs, recognising our shared hopes and concerns.Come and join our supporters and volunteers.

We thank all our volunteer helpers and supporters and look forward to them getting some Christmas cheer over the next few games by winning more games, playing good football and having more success in 2023.

Thank you all for the very important part you play off the field.

2 Dec 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – BUXTON FC (A)

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BRADFORD (Park Avenue) visit Derbyshire this Saturday to play newly promoted Buxton FC at The Tarmac Silverlands.

Mark Bower’s men head into this game after a fantastic 2-1 win against Boston United last weekend, a performance which was praised by fans as the best of the season.

It was a slow start for both teams, however, Jake Wright made the first proper effort on Sykes-Kenworthy’s goal in the 15th minute.  His shot from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.

Avenue man Jamie Spencer was up next, firing a fantastic effort that nearly broke the deadlock, but he couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Pilgrims finally got one up on Avenue with a good finish from Jake Wright putting Boston ahead in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, Avenue were the better side, with Sam Fielding and Jordan Preston both having chances.

It was reliable midfielder Simon Richman who hooked the ball into the roof of the net, equalising for Avenue with a brilliant low cross from Lucas Odunston.

Under pressure from the Boston defence, Jordan Preston managed a well struck shot but his effort was saved by Sam Long.

Then, in the 75th minute, with an unreal cross from ex-Bradford City man Reece Staunton, Jacob Blyth headed the ball past Long and Avenue were ahead.

The defence held firm against late Boston pressure, with the Avenue fans chanting and cheering all the way into the four minutes of added time.

Mark and Danny will now look to improve their form further with a point or three in Derbyshire, a place which has proved fruitful for Avenue so far, drawing against a strong Alfreton side and all whilst struggling with injuries and illnesses in the Bradford squad.

The last time Avenue and Buxton met was on 8 December 2015 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup when Avenue won 2-1 away.

Buxton go into the game after a 4-0 defeat at League 1 side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.  In the league Buxton have had some tough fixtures, losing 4-2 to Blyth and 1-0 to Scarborough.  However, before these setbacks they had pulled off wins against Gloucester, Darlington Southport.

They will be looking to bounce back, so Avenue will have to be at their best to sneak a result.

If you are travelling to the Silverlands, follow the link here for directions.

Tickets are purchased on the gate, and are priced at £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 16-21s, £2 for 5-15s and under-5s are free with a paying Adult.

1 Dec 2022

THE VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (26/11/22)

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Our 3G pitch was professionally tested recently and approved for football up to league standards and for international and top class rugby league games. Of course the FL still insist on grass pitches, ignoring the wider commercial value of multi-use pitches to cash-strapped clubs which seems very short-sighted.

We are looking at grants to improve the upper field grass pitches and lighting, so that we can use them for both football and rugby. We are also looking at grants for a Multi-Use Grass Area (MUGA) pitch at the Park Road end inside the stadium for 5 a side games. This will attract junior and senior teams and attract more investment. These plans and requests take time but we continue to convert Horsfall into a Stadium with increasing potential for teams and leagues in the local community and beyond. Let’s hope we don’t get the snow and fog we had last year at this time.

You may have seen that our main Academy team, led by Pat McGuire, continue to have success in their league with six wins on the trot and I hope we may see one or two of these lads playing some part  in the upcoming game against Brighouse. Progress is good and from Juniors to Academy this is an exciting part of the club now. For prospective sponsors you can link your name to our future stars and successes. – Read the Match Report on this game by clicking here

We are still waiting for the National League to distribute the funds given them by the Premier League to share amongst clubs and for the NL to explain their plans with BT on streaming games. It is frustrating having to wait for these income generating plans to come off.These are tough times for many people and that knocks on to  non league clubs with bills and staff to pay.

Season ticket holders of Premier League and Championship teams can watch our games at a special reduced rate and England fans can watch our World Cup games in the Function suite with a pie and peas offer from the Development Fund, who are also selling tickets for their Christmas Raffle.

We value all those taking up these promotions.

Paul Armitage

26 Nov 2022

MATCH REPORT – Bradford (PA) 2 – 1 Boston United

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JACOB BLYTH INSPIRES AN AVENUE COMEBACK AS THEY STEAL ALL THREE POINTS FROM BOSTON UNITED IN A FIESTY AFFAIR

Bradford (Park Avenue) were victorious as goals from Simon Richman & super-sub Jacob Blyth helped The Avenue defeat a stubborn Boston United side. 

The Avenue looked to start well as they chased their first win in November. Boston wanted to bounce back after a 4-1 defeat to AFC Fylde on Tuesday. Both teams aimed to climb up the table with BPA not wanting to remain in the relegation zone. 

Bradford (Park Avenue), without a win in 4 league fixtures, grew into the game around the ten minute mark as a long ball over the top from Sam Fielding found Jordan Preston in the area who was beaten to the ball by a strong Boston defence. 

The deadlock was nearly broken in the 19th minute as a ball dropped to Jamie Spencer who struck a sweet volley, that could’ve been a goal of the season contender had it gone in. Both teams continued to grow into the game with each side throwing attacks at each other. 

Chance of the half came in the 27th minute to former Hashtag United player Scott Pollock who set himself to shoot but it was brilliantly defended by Mitch Lund, with a superb block. 

The deadlock was broken just before half time as Jake Wright was there to tap it home, thanks to a piercing ball across the box from Sam Mclintock to put Boston United ahead. 

The second half began as tense as the first, as there continued to be scuffles across the pitch between opposing players. The Avenue were the stronger of the sides in the opening ten minutes of the second half as they looked for a much needed equalizer. 

The Avenue came very close to a leveler as a cross found the feet of Brad Dockerty, whose shot was cleared off the line valiantly by Ben Pollock. 

A substitution that The Avenue faithful wanted to see as Jacob Blyth came on for Brad Dockerty in the 63rd minute. 

Bradford (Park Avenue) found a way back in the 67th minute due to great work by Lucas Odunston who assisted Simon Richman for his second goal of the season. Richman found himself free in the 6 yard box before firing his shot into the roof of the net. 

There were insane scenes as the home side grabbed a winner in the 75th minute as Jacob Blyth buried his header into the bottom corner after latching onto a fantastic cross from Reece Staunton. 

This result takes Bradford (Park Avenue) within one point of Kettering Town outside of the relegation zone. The Avenue go into a real battle against Buxton next Saturday as a win would surely see them escape the relegation zone. 

Match Report by Lucas Heslop! @lucasheslop_sj