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.

23 Jun 2022

PLAYERS AND COACHES WANTED!

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Bradford (Park Avenue) Ladies are looking for individuals who have a passion for sports and community football to join our Ladies team as a volunteer coach. This role would be based at the Horsfall, with training taking place from 7:30pm-9pm during pre-season and 8pm-9pm during the season.

A level 1 coaching badge is desirable, but not required for the role. Matchdays are Sundays with a 2pm Kick Off.

As well as coaches, we are also recruiting players for both our Ladies First and Development Teams. Ages 16+

You will be joining a strong squad of experienced players, and the club can offer a good pathway with our partnership with Bradford City.

Our ladies teams play in the West Riding County WFL and the North East Regional WFL, as well as competing in the F.A. Cup and the County Cup.

To register your interest, please email Neal at ladies@bpafc.com

24 Dec 2021

BPAFC to support Shelter’s #NoHomeKit

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This Boxing Day, Bradford (Park Avenue) are supporting homeless charity Shelter with #NoHomeKit for our tie v York City.

In the space of one 90-minute football match, 25 households are made homeless.


The lads will wear the Away Red, Amber and Black kit on Sunday.
More than 180,000 households have been made homeless since the beginning of the pandemic, with families, including children, being placed in unsuitable hostels.

You can help support the effort by donating to Shelter online, or by texting ‘HOME’ to 70455 to donate £5 to Shelter. There will also be a bucket collection on the day for donations towards the charity.

https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/clubs-gearing-up-to-ditch-their-home-shirt-to-supp-68722