Mark Ross Returns to Bolster Avenue Ranks

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

We can today confirm that ex-Avenue Defender and Founder of Lifestyle Lean Mark Ross has agreed terms on a new deal with the Club. 

Ross can play either in central defense or at right-back and will add extra experience and solidity to the Avenue back line. 

Mark Ross briefly joined the squad last season, and this will be his 6th season at the Club. 

In the 2021/22 Season, Mark Ross made 40 appearances in our fight against relegation from the National League North, and has previously played for Chorley, Stockport County and Leigh Genesis.

A strong replacement for the banned Odunston, Ross is available for selection in today’s game vs FC United of Manchester!Stay tuned to our socials for the latest team news.

Avenue Sign Hey on Dual Reg with Silsden

posted in: First Team News, News | 0

We can today confirm the signing of ex-Guiseley midfielder Lewis Hey on dual registration terms with Silsden AFC.

Hey, 19, proved himself a prodigious talent coming through the ranks of the Lion’s Academy set up, but the last few years have proved frustrating, with Covid disrupting the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and injury hitting his attempts to grab a regular spot in the first team in 2021-22.

Lewis made his debut for the Club in the 2020/21 Season before featuring several times over the following campaign, and also started in their FA Cup trip to AFC Wimbledon last season. 

He also went out on loan in September 2022, joining Tadcaster Albion in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division until October 2022.

Hey made 26 appearances for Guiseley while in the National League North, 5 in the 2020-21 Campaign, followed by 21 in the 2021-22 Season, Lewis also scored two goals in that season, the winner in a 1-0 victory while away at Chester, and one against Darlington in a 5-1 away defeat. 

Lewis is available for selection in tomorrow’s away game vs FC United of Manchester! Stay tuned to our socials for the latest team news!


You can watch Lewis’ goals on our YouTube channel below. Footage taken from Guiseley & Darlington YouTube channels.

YouTube player

MATCH PREVIEW – FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER (A)

We are back to league action this Saturday, facing FC United of Manchester at Broadhurst Park!

Kick Off is set for 3pm, on Saturday 9th September.

This will be Avenue and FCUM’s first meeting since 2019, when FC United took a 3-2 win at the Horsfall. The match stood at 1-1 going in at half-time, with the opener from Oli Johnson in the 39th minute evened out in the 45th +1 by Chris Sharp.

Two quick goals from FCUM came in the 2nd half, Jack Banister in the 64th minute, followed by Kurt Willoughby just a minute later.

Lewis Knight scored in the 77th minute, but the equalizer wouldn’t come for Avenue, and it ended 3-2 to FC United of Manchester.

Mark Bower’s lads will go into this game with confidence though, after a 5 match unbeaten run consisting of 2 league draws, 2 league wins, and a win last Saturday vs Consett to put us through to the 2RQ of the Emirates FA Cup.

FC will be looking to maintain their 100% home record this season, with 4 games and 3 clean sheets so far, the Reds are looking strong at the back and exciting going forward. Currently sat in midtable, a win could take Neil Reynolds team into the promotion places.

Pay on the gate prices are as follows:

Adult                    £13.00

Concession*        £9.00

U18s                    £3.00  

Under 5s             free with paying adult

*Concession means the following:

  • Over 60s
  • In receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit
  • Student with a valid NUS card

Any person applying for a concession may be asked to produce identification at the turnstile. If a supporter is unwaged and does not have proof of any of the above, they must contact the office prior to a game.

Disabled supporters pay either the concession or under 18s price and any carer receives free admission.

See below for more information on Broadhurst Park. Information taken from https://fc-utd.co.uk/grounds/broadhurst-park#

Matchday information

There is no segregation in place for this fixture.

Turnstiles will be open from 1:00pm  – cash and card payments are accepted.

Our turnstiles are operated by volunteers; we would appreciate supporters arriving at the ground in time for kick-off so that the volunteers can finish as early as possible.

Early entry is via reception from 12.30pm until 1:00pm.

From 1:00pm access through reception will be for officials/players/sponsors/match day diners and those needing lift access only.

Food & drink

The main bar is open from 1.00pm and will close after half time as there is a pre-booked function in the evening.

For this match the SMRE bar is open from 1.00pm and will stay open until last orders at 6:30pm.

For the 2023/24 season the Kazbar has been fitted out with a new bar, and will be serving a selection of lager, IPA and cider. Please note this bar will only take card payments.

Food is available from our usual food outlets:

Chip van  – pies, chips, peas & soft drinks.

Kazbar  – pies, peas, vegetarian samosas, crisps, snacks, soft drinks & hot drinks. 

Main bar  – TBC

Sweet stall  – selection of sweets & soft drinks.

Match day dining

If you would like a group dining experience with a fantastic view of the pitch on a match day, then our match day dining tickets are for you. Priced at £40, with juniors half price. The experience includes the following:

  • Ticket for the game
  • Delicious two-course meal served before kick off
  • Pre-match brief from the Manager
  • Match day programme & team sheet
  • Half time refreshment
  • Private bar
  • Car park space (if you are attending with friends, the deal includes one space per four guests).

To book click here. For any further queries contact Danny Davis (Commercial Manager) on 0161 769 2005 or email danny.davis@fc-utd.net

Getting to the game

Parking

Parking is available at our stadium car park (M40 0FJ). To book a place email office@fc-utd.uk or ring 0161 769 2005.

Please note that St. Matthews car park is not available.

In fairness to our neighbours, please do not park on St Mary’s Road or the side roads thereof.  Please use Lightbowne Road.

Please see the Travel Hub for full details of how to get to our ground

Broadhurst Park

Ground Address: 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester, M40 0FJ View Map

Ground Capacity: 4,400

What’s the ground like?

Broadhurst Park is the UK’s first new ground to be built and funded by a supporter-owned football club.

Covered on all sides, with standing and seating in the main stand and with a large and expansive home standing area behind the goal, FC United’s purpose-built 4,400 capacity homeshows what can be achieved when football fans with a vision work together and make things happen.

FC United’s members were involved at every stage during the design and construction process and the result is a stadium and community facility that is the envy of many clubs in higher leagues.

FC United is looking to create the first pollinator-friendly football stadium in the UK after supporters won a £4,000 Grow Wild community project award to develop a landscaping project at the ground.

As a community facility, Broadhurst Park will be used every day by local people and will host a range of sporting and recreational activities. A well-appointed function room and meeting spaces are also available for the local community, businesses and other organisations to hire.

Funding for the £6.3m facility has come from a variety of sources. FC United fans have raised £2 million from a pioneering Community Share Scheme and close to a further £1 million from other fundraising. Grant funding has also been provided from Sport England (Iconic Facilities Fund), the Football Foundation (FSIF), Football Foundation (Community Facilities Fund), Manchester City Council, Social Investment Business (My Community Rights), Manchester College and Viridor.

We would like to wish all supporters a very warm welcome to Broadhurst Park.

Broadhurst Park Plan

Getting to the ground by public transport

Please see our comprehensive Travel Hub.

Getting to the ground by car

Please see our comprehensive Travel Hub.

Local Pubs

Pubs within 1 mile of Broadhurst Park:

Miners Community Arts & Music Centre, 63 Teddington Rd, Moston, Manchester M40 0DJ

  • Located a stone’s throw from Broadhurst Park ‘The Miners’ is an award-winning multi-arts venue hosting music, art & film events. Featuring a café, bar and pool tables the venue is open before FC United home games.

Gardeners Arms Hotel, Moston Lane, M40 5RZ

  • Imposing red brick and white stone JW Lees pub on Greengate Roundabout. This is a 2-roomed community local with pool, darts and cask ale. 

Railway Hotel, 82 Dean Lane, M40 3AE

  • A large red brick Joseph Holt pub. There are several rooms in what is an interesting layout. Railway memorabilia features as a nod to the history of the railway depot next door. Has darts (Manchester Dartboard), TV and cask ale. 

Charlestown, 204 Charlestown Road, M9 7ED

  • Large suburban pub owned by JW Lees. Pub has large lounge, vault room, beer garden and cask ale. 

Blue Bell, 493 Moston Lane, M40 9PY

  • Large red brick Victorian Joseph Holt pub dating from 1890. Interesting ‘spire’ style structure and 4 distinct rooms inside, all interconnected around a central bar. Typical Holts community feel and serves cask ale.

Fairway Inn, Nuthurst Road, M40 3PL

  • Joseph Holt pub that reopened in 2017, after a major refurbishment. Offers an extensive food menu and cask ale available. Outdoor seating area with canopies available.

FA CUP 2RQ PREVIEW – BLYTH SPARTANS (A)

The draw has been made for the 2RQ of the Emirates FA Cup, and we travel away to Blyth Spartans on Saturday 16th September!

Kick Off is set for 3pm, and admission prices will be posted as soon they are made available to us.

Mark Bower’s side have one more league game next Saturday 9th September, travelling to FC United of Manchester, before making the trip to Croft Park on Saturday 16th September.

The Green Army could go into the game 6 unbeaten if they can gain any points from their visit to Broadhurst Park, and can take confidence from some good performances.

We spoke to Mark Bower before the draw, on how far we can go in the competition, and he had this to say;

“Its unfamiliar territory for us, over the last few years we’ve not had much luck with draws, but we’ll go wherever we have to go, and do our best.”

“I think the lads can take confidence from being unbeaten in 5, and we’ve been winning in different ways too.”

“The lads can go and give it their best shot, and if they do like we did at Consett, then we have a chance.”

Park Avenue fans will remember Blyth from our time in the National League North, most recently in the 2022/23 season, we played out a 0-1 loss at the Horsfall, and a 1-0 win earlier in the Season away at Croft Park.

In our last 8 meetings with the Spartans, Avenue have won 4, drawn 3, and lost 1.

You can watch some of our previous encounters by clicking on the games below.

Match highlights from BPAFC v Blyth Spartans. Played on 20th February with a crowd of 464.

HIGHLIGHTS | Blyth Spartans 0-1 Bradford Park Avenue

Jacob Blyth scores the winner with an assist from Eddie Church against Blyth Spartans. Played 25/10/22.

HIGHLIGHTS | Blyth Spartans 1-3 Bradford Park Avenue

AVENUE IN FOR AUTY

We can today confirm the signing of ex-Academy midfielder Joel Auty with the Club. 

Joel joins after spending a year with the Academy scholars, playing alongside other graduates such as Liam Hall, Zak Kersey & Myles La Bastide in the u19s Alliance League. 

Auty was previously part of the Academy set-up at Grimsby Town from ages 6-16 and while there, he played men’s football with NCEL Div 1 side Brigg Town to further his development. 

Joel was then scouted at the u16s exit trial last pre-season, and made the move to the BPA Academy just a few weeks later. 

Joel made 12 appearances across all competitions for the 1st team, and also played 18 league games for the u19s in the Alliance League, scoring 3 goals and assisting 10+. 

Joel also spent time out last season on loan with Thackley, Cleethorpes, for three months each, gaining vital semi-pro football experience. 

Academy Technical Director Thomas McStravick had this to say;

“I’m delighted for Joel. He’s a lad who’s moved away from home to be part of our academy and has worked hard over the last year.”

“Now his challenge is to make sure he’s in and around it as much as possible and follow in the footsteps of our other academy graduates.”

“This is yet another clear sign of the pathway available at the club.”

Joel is available for selection in todays game! Stay tuned for team news!

MATCH PREVIEW – Consett AFC – Emirates FA Cup

The Green Army travel to County Durham today for the 1RQ of the Emirates FA Cup, where we are hosted by Consett AFC at the Belle View Stadium Kick Off is set for 3pm, and you can click here for directions & ticket information! 

Avenue go into the game after a 4 game unbeaten league run, drawing against Bamber Bridge and Guiseley while on the road, and beating Morpeth & Ilkeston Town at the Horsfall. 

Consett go into the game on a 6-game unbeaten run, claiming a first win of the season against Kendal Town in the FA Cup, followed by league wins against Winterton Rangers, Penrith, a draw against Dunston, followed by two more wins against Sheffield FC and Avenues last FA Cup opponents Ashington. 

Bradford (Park Avenue) and Consett have a history in the FA Cup, playing out a 2-1 draw while away in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. 

Consett had already won three FA Cup ties to reach the round, and it took late goals from Chib Chilaka and Richard Marshall to avoid an upset after Consett went 1-0 up after 74 minutes. 

After last seasons FA Cup drubbing at Ashington, Mark Bowers side will look to put things right in the North East today. Stay tuned to our socials for live updates!