We’re running coach travel for our first league fixture of the 2025/26 season away at Matlock Town on Saturday 9th August (3:00pm KO) – and thanks to the fantastic backing of the BPA Development Fund, we’re able to offer subsidised prices for supporters!
💚 Subsidised Prices: • Adults – £15 • Accompanied U17s – £10 (Unaccompanied U17s will be charged the full £20 fare)
Bradford (Park Avenue) return to action next Tuesday evening as they welcome a Bradford City XI to the Horsfall Stadium for their final pre-season friendly before the new campaign kicks off. The annual match will be for the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy.
Craig Elliott’s side come into the match following a positive 2-1 win over Guiseley on Saturday, with goals from Charlie Winfield and Prince Ekpolo sealing the result in a competitive fixture that provided another strong workout for the squad.
Reflecting on the game, First Team Manager Craig Elliott said:
“Really good friendly again – good tempo, felt like a proper league game. Guiseley have got some fantastic players, so to win tonight, I’m really happy and just happy with what we got out of the game.”
Tuesday’s fixture will offer a final opportunity for supporters to see the squad in action before the 2025/26 season officially begins. Avenue kick off their competitive campaign at home to Mossley in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 2nd August.
“I’ve just said to the players – lots of positives. We’re in a good place. Now it’s just about getting everyone back from holidays, fit and ready, and doing a bit more in training before we start the real stuff.”
Don’t miss your chance to back the lads one last time before the competitive action begins!
Bradford (Park Avenue) fans are in for a full day of football today, as both our First Team and Reserves are in action at the Horsfall Community Stadium.
The day kicks off at 1:00pm, with the First Team welcoming Folkestone Invicta for the latest fixture in our 2025/26 pre-season schedule. After a solid performance in midweek, Craig Elliott’s side will be looking to build further momentum with another strong showing on home soil.
Entry for the match is completely FREE, so we’re encouraging the Green Army to turn out in force and get behind the lads.
The action doesn’t stop there – at 4:00pm, our Reserves take to the pitch against Emley U23s. Owen Murphy’s squad continues its preparations for the upcoming campaign, and tomorrow’s test promises to offer another good challenge for the developing side.
The bar will be open throughout the day, with plenty of opportunity to enjoy a drink while taking in both matches. Whether you’re coming for one game or making a full day of it, we’d love to see you at Horsfall.
With two matches, free entry, and a great atmosphere on offer, it’s set to be a fantastic day out for fans of all ages.
Saturday 19th July – Matchday Schedule: 🕐 1:00pm – First Team vs Folkestone Invicta 🕓 4:00pm – Reserves vs Emley U23s
Come and spend your Saturday with us at the Horsfall – and enjoy a brilliant day of football with the Green Army!
On July 1st, 2025, the Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation welcomed seventeen Year 6 pupils from three local primary schools to Horsfall Community Stadium for the first in a series of powerful anti-knife crime intervention events—part of our Breaking Barriers initiative.
Driven by growing concerns around youth violence, gang involvement, and misinformation online, Breaking Barriers is a collaborative response rooted in education, empathy, and prevention. The one-day intervention was designed to reach children before they encounter pressure or exposure to harmful choices, offering them positive alternatives and informed perspectives.
Each pupil received a bespoke invitation styled as a matchday ticket—bringing with it a sense of occasion, pride, and belonging. That simple gesture reflected what this programme is all about: creating safe, inspiring spaces where young people feel seen, valued, and heard.
The event was led by our own Community Director Mat Everett and Education Consultant Anne Seneviratne, with support from West Yorkshire Police, NHS staff, and former gang members who now work to prevent others from making the same mistakes. The immersive experience included:
A simulated crime scene investigation led by West Yorkshire Police, helping pupils understand the real-life consequences of violent crime.
A powerful session with NHS trauma specialists, offering an unfiltered look into the harsh realities of knife-related injuries and emergency care.
A heartfelt testimony from Daryl, a reformed ex-gang member, whose personal story of violence, remorse, and transformation left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
Inspector Adam Beecroft of Bradford South Police, who was instrumental in securing funding for this initiative, attended and supported the event. His insight and leadership have been key to making this project possible.
The day was rounded off with positive, reflective activities designed to build resilience and connection. Through team sports, structured discussion, and active listening, pupils were given space to process what they had seen and heard in a safe and supportive environment.
This was not about fear—it was about truth, empowerment, and providing young people with the tools to make informed, safer decisions.
As Mat Everett put it:
“We’re not just telling young people what not to do—we’re showing them why, through real stories and real people. This is about equipping them to make positive choices based on understanding and empathy.”
With social media often glamorising knife culture, Breaking Barriers works to rebalance the narrative. Many pupils arrived with misconceptions about violence; they left with clarity, respect for consequences, and a renewed sense of self-worth. As one pupil told us:
“We’ve learnt that carrying knives is bad for the future generation, in public. Even a small cut can do a lot of harm.”
This is just the beginning. Breaking Barriers will continue throughout the year with three further events planned. The Bradford (Park Avenue) Sports Foundation is actively seeking new partnerships and funding to ensure we can reach even more young people across our community. We made a short video which is viewable below, talking to some of those involved in the event.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to West Yorkshire Police, the NHS team, Daryl for his courage, and particularly to Inspector Adam Beecroft for his dedication and belief in the project.
Together, we are breaking barriers—one life at a time.
As we prepare for an exciting 2025/26 season at the Horsfall Community Stadium, we’re pleased to confirm our updated Pay on the Gate (POTG) admission prices. These changes reflect our continued commitment to making football affordable and accessible for all across Bradford.
New Admission Prices for 2025/26:
Adults (18+): £10
Blue Light Card Holders, Armed Forces & Students: £5
Youth (12–17): £3
Juniors (Under-12): £1
These prices apply both on the gate and online via Fanbase, giving supporters the flexibility to buy tickets in the way that suits them best.
Our Early Bird Season Ticket window has now closed, and we are proud to share that 256 season tickets were sold across all categories. A huge thank you to every supporter who secured theirs early — your commitment means the world to us.
Official matchday programmes for all Northern Premier League, FA Cup, and FA Trophy fixtures will be priced at £3 and sold exclusively in the Clubhouse on matchdays.
Please be aware that pre-season friendlies, FA Cup, and FA Trophy matches are not included in season tickets. Admission prices for these fixtures will be announced closer to the respective dates.
Whether you’re renewing, returning, or making your first trip to the Horsfall — now is the time to get behind your local club. Every voice in the crowd makes a difference, and we can’t wait to welcome you for another unforgettable season.
The Green Army will kick things off with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at home to Mossley on Saturday 2nd August at 3:00pm, before travelling to Matlock Town a week later for our opening league fixture.
All Kick Off times are subject to change
AUGUST
Sat 2 – Mossley (H) – FA Cup EP – 3:00pm Sat 9 – Matlock Town (A) – 3:00pm Tue 12 – Emley (H) – 7:45pm Tue 19 – Hallam (A) – 7:45pm Sat 23 – Dunston (H) – 3:00pm Mon 25 – Pontefract Collieries (A) – Bank Holiday – 3:00pm Sat 30 – Grimsby Borough (H) – 3:00pm
SEPTEMBER
Sat 6 – Redcar Athletic (H) – FA Trophy 1Q – 3:00pm Sat 13 – Blyth Spartans (A) – 3:00pm Sat 20 – Lincoln United (H) – 3:00pm Sat 27 – Bridlington Town (A) – 3:00pm
OCTOBER
Sat 4 – Ashington (H) – 3:00pm Tue 7 – North Ferriby (H) – 7:45pm Sat 11 – Blyth Town (A) – 3:00pm Tue 14 – Silsden (A) – 7:45pm Sat 18 – Heaton Stannington (H) – 3:00pm Sat 25 – Newton Aycliffe (A) – 3:00pm
NOVEMBER
Sat 1 – Garforth Town (H) – 3:00pm Sat 8 – Redcar Athletic (A) – 3:00pm Sat 15 – Consett (H) – 3:00pm Sat 22 – Ossett United (H) – 3:00pm Sat 29 – Bishop Auckland (A) – 3:00pm
DECEMBER
Sat 6 – Blyth Spartans (H) – 3:00pm Sat 13 – Lincoln United (A) – 3:00pm Sat 20 – Emley (A) – 3:00pm Fri 26 – Pontefract Collieries (H) – Boxing Day – 3:00pm
JANUARY
Thu 1 – Brighouse Town (A) – New Year’s Day – 3:00pm Sat 10 – Matlock Town (H) – 3:00pm Sat 17 – Ashington (A) – 3:00pm Sat 24 – Bridlington Town (H) – 3:00pm Sat 31 – North Ferriby (A) – 3:00pm
FEBRUARY
Sat 7 – Blyth Town (H) – 3:00pm Sat 14 – Heaton Stannington (A) – 3:00pm Sat 21 – Silsden (H) – 3:00pm Sat 28 – Consett (A) – 3:00pm
MARCH
Sat 7 – Newton Aycliffe (H) – 3:00pm Sat 14 – Garforth Town (A) – 3:00pm Sat 21 – Redcar Athletic (H) – 3:00pm Sat 28 – Hallam (H) – 3:00pm
APRIL
Sat 4 – Dunston (A) – 3:00pm Mon 6 – Brighouse Town (H) – Easter Monday – 3:00pm Sat 11 – Grimsby Borough (A) – 3:00pm Sat 18 – Bishop Auckland (H) – 3:00pm Sat 25 – Ossett United (A) – 3:00pm
We can’t wait to see you all at the Horsfall and on the road throughout what promises to be an unforgettable season.
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are proud to confirm our player sponsors for the upcoming 2025/26 season. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has stepped forward to back the lads this year. Your support makes a real difference on and off the pitch and is a vital part of what keeps the club moving forward.
We’re delighted to announce the following confirmed player sponsors:
Jack Hall – Chloe Popps Kareem Hassan-Smith – Lets Be Avenue Mark Beevers – BPA Forum Josh Ashman – Shahidas Cafe Jameel Ible – BPA Forum Prince Ekpolo – The Three Keiths Jak McCourt – We Are Bradford Louie Chorlton – The Green Army George Doyle – Guess The Gate Connor Shanks – Louie Popps Myles La Bastide – RAB 43- Marcus Carver – Hector 44 Luke Parkin – ADW Holdings Charlie Winfield – Aye Aye Rhubarb Pie Connor Brown – Make Avenue Great Again Dan Francis – Tesco Ian Joe Ackroyd – The Fans of Culture Craig Elliott – Dennis Choppen & Gary Choppen Danny Ellis – RAB 43- Thomas Ogden – BPA Forum Paddy Sykes – The Walkie Talkies Rico Kilbourn – The Walkie Talkies Ryan Toulson – The Walkie Talkies Karl Leneghan – The Walkie Talkies Holleigh Farrington– The Walkie Talkies Thomas McStravick– The Walkie Talkies
We are truly grateful for the incredible backing our sponsors provide. Each name will proudly appear alongside their player throughout the season, featuring on our website, social media and in our matchday programmes.
Thank you once again to all our sponsors for standing with the Green Army this season. We can’t wait to welcome you all back to the Horsfall soon.
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC are pleased to confirm our First Team Management, Coaching, Recruitment and Scouting team for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Craig Elliott continues at the helm as First Team Manager and is joined by Danny Ellis, who comes on board as Player/Assistant Manager ahead of the new campaign, alongside Ryan Toulson, who starts his first season as Assistant Manager. Jak McCourt, who spent last season on loan from Ashton United, now joins Avenue permanently until the end of the 2025/26 season and continues in his role as Player/Coach. Karlos Leneghan also continues to oversee our goalkeepers as Goalkeeper Coach.
We can also confirm that key members of our backroom team will continue their outstanding work into the 2025/26 season.
Matt Harrison (Kitman)
Matt is an all-round legend in the dressing room. Since joining in early 2024/25, he’s kept the changing room buzzing with energy, passion and some of the best playlists around.
Brad Smith (Sports Therapist)
Now in his third season with the club, Brad is our dedicated First Team Sports Therapist and Academy Medical Lead. A graduate with BSc and MSc degrees in Sports Science and Therapy, Brad plays a vital role in keeping our players fit, healthy and ready to perform.
Holleigh Farrington (Club Secretary)
Holleigh took over the Secretary role in January 2024 and was deservedly named Club Person of the Year for her outstanding contribution during the 2024/25 season. Working closely with Craig on all player contracts and signings, Holleigh also acts as our Player Welfare Officer, holds a BSc in Sports Therapy, and is fully ITMIFF qualified.
Avenue are also delighted to welcome John Collins to the Horsfall Community Stadium as our new Head of Recruitment. John brings a wealth of experience and has already made an instant impact on and off the pitch.
John had this to say on his appointment:
“I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to work with such an historic club as BPA as Head of Recruitment. I’ve been here a couple of months and been welcomed by everyone at the club, and it’s clear to me Tom and the team are building something that will eventually see the club back where they belong.”
“Since I came in, I’ve played a big role in bringing Prince Ekpolo and Luke Parkin to the club, and both players are already showing in pre-season the influence they will have on the team.”
“I’m in almost daily contact with the manager discussing options for players to come to the club and I think Craig has built a fantastic squad that will make a real mark on the league this season. Hopefully the fans see that as well, with the season ticket sales through the roof.”
“It’s been a good start, but let’s not stop here! We have a good, experienced team of scouts watching games each week, so we will strive to keep raising the bar in terms of quality players arriving at the club now and in the future.”
Supporting John is a dedicated network of scouts, whose hard work behind the scenes will help shape Avenue’s squad for this season. Our scouting team for the 2025/26 season includes:
Lewis Sale
Chris Bell
Richard Pickles
Ade Patrick
Stephen Tordoff
Mal Saville
James Bloodworth
Leon Hudson
Mike Conway
With the experience and commitment of this team, Avenue fans can look forward to a strong, competitive squad — and hopefully some exciting additions throughout the season.
Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to confirm the return of Dan Francis, one of last season’s standout performers, who is back at the Horsfall until the end of 25/26 season to further strengthen Craig Elliott’s squad ahead of the new campaign.
Francis was a commanding figure for Avenue last season, making 30 appearances and scoring six goals — an outstanding contribution for a defender and a testament to his quality at both ends of the pitch. He left the club to pursue a career in Germany but now makes his much-anticipated return to West Yorkshire.
A former Bantams youth product and Sierra Leone international, Dan brings with him valuable experience from Germany’s Regionalliga and Oberliga, where he turned out for Rot Weiss Ahlen, KFC Uerdingen 05 and TuS Bövinghausen. His composure, professionalism and attacking threat quickly made him a fan favourite at the Horsfall, and he now rejoins a refreshed squad under new First Team Manager Craig Elliott and his backroom team.
First Team Manager Craig Elliott had this to say on the signing:
“I am so happy to bring Dan back to the club. He was a brilliant player last season for us and we badly missed him when he left to pursue work commitments.
“I know he’s had plenty of interest from teams higher up the pyramid but I’m delighted he can see his future at BPA and I have no doubt he will be a big player for us this season.”
This signing would not have been possible without the fantastic backing of the Supporters Club (Development Fund), whose continued support is making a real difference on and off the pitch. If you’d like to get involved or help strengthen the squad further, please consider making a donation or contacting Dave Stordy directly.
Development Fund Donation Details: Sort Code: 05-02-00 Account Number: 29955993 Reference: BTB
Welcome back to the Horsfall, Dan! We are also happy to announce that Dan is proudly sponsored by Tesco Ian.
Our pre-season schedule continues this week as Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC travel to face Tadcaster Albion.
It’s another valuable opportunity for Craig Elliott’s side to build fitness, test combinations, and keep preparations on track for a big 2025/26 campaign.
