29 Mar 2023

VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (25/03/23)

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It is tighter than ever at the bottom of the Championship with eight games to go.

Six teams could feasibly be at risk of the drop into League One and the price of getting things right — or wrong — is huge. Rough estimates suggest that falling out of the second tier costs an immediate drop off of around £7million ($8.5million), and that is before taking into account spending on players fit for a promotion push in the league below.

Throw into the mix unpaid wages at Wigan Athletic, takeover uncertainty at Huddersfield Town and huge losses at Cardiff City, according to their latest set of accounts, and the backdrop to the fight for survival looks even more chaotic.

This is a quote from ‘The Athletic’ – it describes a situation endemic to football clubs at most levels, including our own level.

I use it for the instruction of all those who think there are simple solutions to a club’s fortunes.

In our own league we have heard of huge losses, problems paying wages on time, late lodging of accounts and we have seen currently unsuitable grounds requiring large investments in basic infrastructure, poor pitches and facilities and all this to a background of rising costs from bags of potatoes to utilities and a desire from all quarters for greater investment in players.

There are no easy solutions facing clubs and as we are clearly in a relegation struggle, the siren voices of critics float to the surface. Sack the owners, fire the managers, find better players.

At heart, every fan and every official or team member is doing their best here to swim against this financial tide, but what we need is a radical rethink of how to survive and prosper in these shark infested waters. It’s a league where York City, Stockport County and Altrincham have struggled to escape and one where full time clubs with big financial backers like South Shields, Macclesfield and Worksop are wanting to play. We are in a community where 20 thousand crowds couldn’t save the Bulls from losing Super League status.

At Horsfall we have a long lease, some useful ground improvements and the basics of a forward-looking business structure, based on local community, youth investment, giving  parents alternative pathways for their kids. It is a concept based on development and requiring local commitment to all the anchor users at Horsfall. We have a very few, hard-working individuals striving to create success.

For football generally there is a need for new ideas and new business models. What it isn’t is short term fixes and longer term debt and we must learn to live with some of the consequences that may bring.

At Boston last week we saw a club that had a ground to sell, a council that supported their relocation and support from the Football Stadium Investment Fund which has created an excellent facility (still short of one stand) and a club with no big competitor clubs nearby. Their pre and post match rooms were excellent and full; they attracted 1500 for the game and had numerous employees helping to create success. They had adjacent 3G pitches and large car parking areas. Having watched the game we were unlucky to lose and that was a widespread view around the locals too.

24 Mar 2023

BLYTHY DEPARTS FOR DARLO ON LOAN

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The club can today announce that forward Jacob Blyth has joined Darlington FC on loan for the remainder of the season, which includes the play-offs if Darlington are contenders.

The deal to loan Blyth to Darlington was struck by our Director of Football Martin Knight.

Blythy signed for Avenue in 2022, and has scored 6 goals in 34 fixtures for the Green Army. He joins Darlington as they push for promotion to the National League.

You can watch all Blythy’s goals on the link below.

YouTube player

Good Luck Blythy!

23 Mar 2023

VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (25/02/23)

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Here are few comments this year from National League clubs:

 ‘’I’m in my fifth season at the club, but I don’t have the resources or the time to take the club any further,” Mr Biddle said. “I am 61 and still work at my business on a full-time basis. 

“I’m still very committed to the club. What we have achieved is incredible really, but we really could do with some help from fresh investors just to sustain the level we are at now. I would stay and help if needed, but I would also be prepared to sell the club to someone capable of keeping us at our current level or maybe take it further.

Peterborough Sports owner’s quote.

Their ground would require high costs to meet the 3000 capacity requirements, despite their successes on the field.

With the global economic situation and the demands of developing my overseas business, I have concluded that I am unable to give the club the focus it will need in the coming months years. Therefore, I will be formally stepping down as Chairman at the end of the season

Gloucester City Co-Chairman quote

York City interim manager Michael Morton has expressed his frustration at the uncertainty surrounding his future with the club, after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Wealdstone. Morton has been in interim charge for ten days now, after replacing the sacked David Webb. ‘But with very little communication from the ownership of the club with regards to the managerial search, Morton is becoming frustrated with a lack of direction from those above him.’

Stories from this year.in NL, which go to show that clubs at this level face financial problems and are often seeking new investors.. It’s getting harder to finance football clubs at every level. Clubs must create confidence from their local communities and fund ideas and facilities that compete with a myriad of different entertainment sources. We have a plan to improve our facilities, develop young players and create more local interest in the club. Staying in the NL system is part of that plan. As a fan, all that is important to me.

There’s a regular cycle of clubs being either very fortunate or in poverty. It transcends the leagues. No club is exempt, from Derby County to Bury.

Southend are facing a winding-up order from HMRC (sounds familiar!) and Wrexham are being financed by Hollywood millionaires, in the same league. Both former league clubs facing different futures currently.

Scunthorpe have just changed ownership, to the delight of their fans, as have Oldham, both relegated last season, but hoping some new funds are forthcoming and can change their fortunes.

Luckily there is no shortage of armchair critics who know how to run football clubs, change managers and pick players. For them, problems are caused by owners, managers and players who refuse to listen to their advice and who fail to put someone else’s money where their mouth is.

Back in the real world we welcome our latest loan players and Academy lads to the first team squad and hope they can soon set about winning games. Most teams are heading for two-game weeks now, so it’s a good time to have more choices.

Congratulations go to Will Longbottom on his extended deal. He is certainly playing well this season and scoring some much-needed goals now he is getting plenty of game time in.

**Notes from Chester on 25th February, sorry for the delay – Admin**

22 Mar 2023

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Buxton

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Avenue set to host in-form Buxton as clock ticks on survival hopes.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will host one of the league’s in-form sides on Non-League Day this Saturday as 10th placed Buxton visit the Horsfall Community Stadium.

The Avenue head into the game on the back of a narrow 1-0 loss at Boston United last time out. The Green Army had dominated proceedings in the first half and appeared to do everything but find the back of the net, only to come undone from a second half set piece as Boston’s Ben Pollock rose highest to head home from Billy Chadwick’s corner. Despite the result, it was a performance that pleased manager Mark Bower, but the Avenue boss was once again left feeling aggrieved at the match officials as his side were denied what looked a clear penalty in the closing stages.

The defeat at Jakemans Community Stadium means Bradford (Park Avenue) remain 23rd in the National League North, still eight points from safety. However, a midweek loss for Leamington, who sit just outside the relegation places, has given the Avenue a game in hand as they look to kick-start their survival bid.

Looking ahead to the visit of Buxton this Saturday, Bower said: “You want to get back out there and I thought there were some really good signs [against Boston United]. We’ve just got to get a win”. However, the Avenue will need to be at their best, as The Bucks will travel to West Yorkshire on a 12-match unbeaten run. Their impressive streak has seen them climb to 10th in the league table, taking points from promotion-chasers such as Kings Lynn Town and Darlington. Now just seven points from the play-offs, Buxton may have one eye on a late promotion bid, having spent the first half of the season nervously looking over their shoulders.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will hold the bragging rights over Buxton heading into this weekend’s clash, as they emerged from the reverse fixture with a 3-2 win at The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium back in early-December. Trailing 2-1 as the game came to a close, injury time goals from Oli Johnson and Jacob Blyth turned the match on its head and ensured the three points came back to Bradford. In fact, Bradford (Park Avenue) have been victorious in their previous two encounters with Buxton. However, the Green Army did succumb to a 1-0 defeat the last time The Bucks visited the Horsfall in an FA Cup replay in October 2009.

Both the team and the coaching staff will be hoping for a large crowd to get behind the Green Army this Saturday, as adults and concessions can take advantage of a reduced entry fee of just £5 to mark this year’s Non-League Day. To find out more about Non-League Day, click here.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Kick off: Saturday 25th March, 3pm

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: PAY ON GATE

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. Our reduced matchday prices for Non-League Day are as follows:

Adult – £5

Concession – £5

Youth (12-17) – £3

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

16 Mar 2023

NEW u6’s Junior Skills Centre I Starts 22nd April 2023 🤩

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We are now recruiting for our NEW u6’s at Bradford (Park Avenue) Academy.

The programme will be delivered by our professional coaches at the wonderful Horsfall Community Stadium.

🗓 Saturday 22nd April 2023
⏰ 9am – 10am
👩👦 5 & 6 year old boys & girls
🏟 Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG
📧 thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com
🖋 https://forms.gle/NE9aon4LXQ7zjCzQ8

7 Mar 2023

Match Preview Double Header – AFC Telford United (A) and Alfreton Town (H)

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Crucial week for Avenue in the quest for survival.

Bradford (Park Avenue) face a potentially make-or-break week in the Vanarama National League North as the season approaches its business end.

On Tuesday night the Avenue head to Shropshire to take on AFC Telford United, a side who, with only three wins to their name this season, have found themselves cut adrift at the bottom of the National League North. Time is running out for The Bucks this season, who are winless in their previous 11 matches and are now 16 points from safety. Added to this poor run of form, Telford are without a home win since defeating Banbury United in early-December. With Tuesday’s hosts in such disarray, the Green Army will see this as a must-win game to give themselves the best possible chance of survival with just ten games to go.

Bradford (Park Avenue) head into Tuesday’s encounter having suffered a narrow loss away to Peterborough Sports last Saturday. Despite conceding in the first minute of the game, the Avenue responded well and plugged away at the Sports backline but it was not to be, denied multiple times by some fine last ditch defending.

The result, along with others elsewhere, leaves Bradford (Park Avenue) 23rd in the table, three points from safety having still played more matches than the sides above. A win at AFC Telford United could move the Avenue as high as 21st, but they will be relying on results elsewhere to also go in their favour. The Green Army could move level with 20th placed Leamington but would require an 11-goal swing to climb out of the relegation zone in mid-week.

The Avenue can take confidence from the reverse fixture against AFC Telford United back in early-December. A first half strike from Jordan Preston under the lights at the Horsfall Community Stadium was enough to secure all three points in what was then a third successive league win for Bradford. The Green Army will hope another win over The Bucks can trigger a similar run of form.

After Tuesday’s trip to Telford, attention will then turn to Saturday Monday 13th as Bradford (Park Avenue) welcome Alfreton Town to the Horsfall. The visitors currently sit 9th in the National League North, but still harbour hopes of securing a play-off place having a number of games in hand over most of the sides above them.

Despite a promising season so far, Alfreton have struggled for consistency in recent months, failing to secure successive victories since October. During this time, The Reds have also laboured on their travels, with just one win in their previous ten away fixtures in all competitions, a promising omen for the Avenue.

The reverse fixture saw Bradford (Park Avenue) pick up a hard-fought point in a goalless draw at North Street back in November. The Green Army will also remember with fondness the last time Alfreton Town visited the Horsfall. A stunning second-half performance from the Avenue back in February 2022 saw them run out 5-0 winners against this weekend’s visitors. In fact, Bradford (Park Avenue) hold an impressive record when hosting Alfreton, unbeaten in their previous six encounters between the pair in BD6.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter)

Tuesday 7th March – AFC Telford United vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off: 7:45pm

Address

New Bucks Head Stadium, Watling Street, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2TU

AWAY FANS:

The following information may be helpful to supporters who will be visiting our ground for a forthcoming fixture.

If you are travelling to the match by train, leave at Wellington station and the stadium is a short walk away.

Parking facilities comprise 290 spaces at the stadium (entrance via Haybridge Road)  There is surveillance by stewards and CCTV. The fee is £3 per car, payment should be made by card at the parking meter or the ticket office (cash or card)

The following admission price policy for league games during 2022/23 season.

Adult £16

Concession £12

Youth (12-18) £5

Under 12s FREE

Away fans are housed at one end of the ground, in the covered Frank Nagington Terrace, where up to 1,300 fans can be housed. The entrance to the away area is via turnstiles I & J

The concourses also have separate licensed bars for alcoholic drinks serving Bitter, Lager and Cider….. The bar also handily opens again at half time. The Snack bar is also open on Match days for you to purchase Hot / Cold food and drinks all for a great price.

A limited number of seats will be made available for visitors in the University of Wolverhampton Stand. Spectators should again enter via gates I/J and then approach a steward for arranging a transfer to the seating area. Seats will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, and priority will be given to elderly people, those with limited mobility and to families with young children.

Anyone who has limited mobility, and who is unable to enter via a turnstile, should report to the assisted-entry gate, which is between turnstiles P and A in the north-west corner of the ground.

Saturday 11th NOW Monday 13th March – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Alfreton Town

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 (must show Student ID at turnstiles)

Youth (12-17) – £3

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

  • Photo Credit: Dan Berry
  • Photo Credit: Dan Berry
  • Photo Credit: Dan Berry
  • Photo Credit: Dan Berry
28 Feb 2023

DANNY BENSON JOINS ON MONTHS LOAN!

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We can confirm that Danny Benson has joined Avenue on a months loan from Barnsley FC.

A commanding centre-back, Danny has progressed through the ranks at Oakwell since joining the Reds’ youth set-up in October 2017. He signed as a first-year scholar in July 2020.

After impressive performances during the 21/22 campaign in the Professional Development League, he was rewarded with a call-up to the first team and was on the bench for Barnsley’s Emirates FA Cup third round clash with Barrow AFC.

Danny featured in Barnsley’s 22/23 pre-season under Michael Duff.

After last nights game, we spoke to Mark Bower on the signing and he said;

“Yeah he came in last minute, no prior training with the squad but he slotted in alongside Luca Havern, dealt with everything they (Scarborough) threw at us really well. Got to say a huge thank you to Barnsley for helping us get it through so quickly.”

Photo credit: Dan Berry

25 Feb 2023

ROSSY RETURNS ON SHORT TERM DEAL

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We can today confirm that Mark Ross has returned to the club on a short term deal.

Mark returns after briefly retiring from football to take on his hugely successful Lifestyle Lean business full time. He was a vital part of keeping the team away from relegation last season, and in total spent 4 years at Bradford (Park Avenue).

Rossy is available for selection in todays game vs Chester, so stay tuned to our socials for team news!

23 Feb 2023

BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) RACE NIGHT DETAILS

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If you would like to sponsor a race for Saturday’s upcoming Race Night, please contact us at info@bpafc.com, there will be 8 races on the night, and its just £10 to sponsor a race. You can also sponsor the whole night for £100.

For the race night, each race will have 8 horses available, and its just £1 per horse.

Each winner will receive £5, with £3 going back to the club, any losing tickets should have your name written on the back, these will go into a box for a final winner from a loser race, with the winner receiving a free drink of their choice from the bar.

If you would like to sponsor a horse prior to the evening, please contact us on info@bpafc.com, include your custom Horse name, Owner name and Jockey. Your horse number and race will be randomly assigned.