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

24 Oct 2022

MATCH PREVIEW – Blyth Spartans v Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue could launch themselves away from danger tomorrow night with a third win on the bounce.

Tomorrow evening (25th October) The Avenue could propel themselves away from the danger zone when they travel to fellow strugglers Blyth Spartans who sit just two places above Bradford (PA) in the league table.

Since The Avenue secured that first win of the season against Curzon Ashton, they have won back-to-back games after an 86-minute penalty which was dispatched calmly by Jacob Blyth, securing victory over Hereford Town and come the final whistle tomorrow it could be a hattrick of wins for Bradford (PA).

Blyth Spartans have not won in the league since the end of August when they beat Buxton 2-1 away from home, since then they have only managed three points out of their last five games all of which have come at home.

The last five meetings between these two sides have predominantly seen the Avenue come out on top beating them three times and drawing twice, with the last away win against Blyth ending in a 3-1 victory for the Avenue at the end of last season. 

A win tomorrow could see the Avenue climb as high as 18th in the league depending on the score line and other results going in their favour and could set them in good stead when they host high flying Brackley Town at the weekend.

(Park Avenue) have had a torrid start to the season losing seven of their opening league games and it looked as though that first win would never come as they lingered above the trap door, but if Bradford (Park Avenue) could go on a little run, it would give their survival chances a huge boost.

Writer: James Fletcher

Standing Tickets are priced online at £12 for Adults, £7 for Concessions, £5 for 11-16s and Students, and £3 for under 10s.

Seated tickets are priced online at £14 for Adults, £9 for Concessions, £7 for 11-16s and Students, and £2 for under 10s.

You can purchase tickets to the match on the Blyth Spartan’s website by clicking here.

For travel details, follow the map below or click here to visit footballgroundguide.com for more details on Croft Park.

9 Oct 2022

MATCH REPORT – Bradford (PA) 2 – 1 Curzon Ashton

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Bradford (Park Avenue) bag their first win of the season, giving them a platform to build on.
(Attendance – 464)

The long wait for Bradford’s first win of season is finally over, as they had to come from behind against mid tabled side Curzon Ashton.

(Park Avenue) came out all guns blazing as their hunt for the first win of the season grows ever desperate and as they piled men forward came up against a Curzon brick wall with chance after chance going begging.

Bradford did have the ball in the back of the net from a corner, but the referee deemed there an unfair challenge and ruled out the goal much to the (Park Avenue’s) frustration, and then with 4 minutes from half time Curzon Ashton opened the scoring with pretty much their first meaningful chance, Mahon cut inside from the wing, creating some space for himself before he curled his effort into the top corner.

(Park Avenue) didn’t let their heads drop after the opening goal went against them, as they went into the second half with Church having chance after chance, Sykes-Kenworthy did have to keep his concentration and made some crucial saves to keep the score line at 1-0 going into the latter stages of the game.

10 minutes from time Bradford’s hard work throughout the game finally paid off through super sub -Will Longbottom, wo latched onto a Staunton cross to level the game, and then just a minute later Oli Johnson put the Avenue in front for the first time of the game.

But (Park Avenue) had to bear down the hatches for the remaining 9 minutes as the referee added 4 minutes on at the end of the 90, but with some dogged defending and more excellent last ditched saves from Kenworthy Bradford were able to hold on to their first home win of the season.

Mark Bower praised his side for their diligence and relentlessness as he told the Park Avenue media.

“I thought we deserved to win the game, I thought after the first half that we were the better side, but having a goal disallowed, a penalty decision that didn’t go our way and then their right backfires it in from 25 yards, it felt as though it was going to be one of those days.”

“But the lads dug deep and didn’t give up, the lads showed great character, and everyone goes home happy, and its nice to close that gap with teams above us.”

You can watch the full match highlights by clicking here, or by pressing play below.

YouTube player

Team: Sykes-Kenworthy, Lucas Odunston, Reece Staunton, Jamie Spencer (Longbottom 77′), Luca Havern (C), Sam Fielding, Harrison Hopper, Simon Richman, Jacob Blyth, Brad Dockerty (Church 5′), Thomas Angell (Johnson 66′).

Subs: Will Longbottom – Goal 84′, Eddie Church, Lloyd Smith, Oli Johnson – Goal 85′, Adam Nowakowski.

1 Oct 2022

BPA Men’s Fit Club I National League Trust Project with THCT & BPA Academy

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The Academy have teamed up with the National League Trust and The Horsfall Community Trust to deliver a project to 20 men to help with their health and general wellbeing. The project will provide fun structured coaching sessions along with some sound advice around healthy eating habits, how to easily improve / increase daily and weekly physical activity to help with weight-loss and general wellbeing. GPS technology will be provided to measure impact of training and fitness.

A celebration event will be held to highlight the achievements of each participant. Hospitality will be provided at a BPA men’s first team game.

The project is based at the Horsfall Community Stadium and using the fantastic facilities on site. Anyone interested in joining should email thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com or contact on 07821579451.