Bradford (Park Avenue) is delighted to announce that experienced defender Mark Beevers has agreed terms on a new deal that will see him remain at the Horsfall Community Stadium until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Since joining the Avenue in September 2024, Beevers has been a vital presence at the heart of the defence, making 23 appearances and contributing to seven clean sheets as of March 6th. His leadership and experience have played a crucial role in solidifying the team’s defensive resilience throughout the campaign.

Before arriving at Bradford (Park Avenue), Beevers was plying his trade in Australia with A-League side Perth Glory. Prior to his move abroad, the towering centre-back amassed over 500 appearances across the EFL Championship and League One, representing clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Millwall, Bolton Wanderers, and Peterborough United.

Speaking on his new deal, Beevers said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Bradford (Park Avenue) so far. Coming out of full-time football into a part-time setup has given me the chance to explore new opportunities off the pitch while still competing at a good level. Football-wise, we’ve had more good moments than bad, and despite a tough spell, we’re showing signs of improvement every week. We’re still pushing to finish this season strong, and looking ahead, I truly believe the club is moving in the right direction. The aim is promotion, and I’m excited to be a part of that journey.”

Manager Craig Elliott added: “I’m delighted to sign Mark Beevers for next season. He has been superb on and off the pitch since signing. This is the start of us planning for next season, and I have no doubt he will play a big part in what we want to achieve.”

Beevers’ commitment to the club marks a significant move as the Avenue continues to strengthen its squad in pursuit of success in the Northern Premier League East Division.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are pleased to confirm the loan signing of midfielder Gabriel Wadsworth from neighbours Bradford City on a two-month deal.

Wadsworth, 19, was one of three academy graduates to sign a professional contract with City ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, having also been offered professional terms in the summer of 2023. A talented and composed midfielder, he now makes the temporary switch to the Horsfall Community Stadium to gain valuable first-team experience.

Gabriel is the younger brother of Noah Wadsworth, who featured regularly in City’s matchday squads towards the end of last season, making his first-team debut against Harrogate Town on Saturday, March 23.

In other squad news, Sam Straughan-Brown has been recalled by Doncaster Rovers. The club thanks Sam for his efforts during his time at Horsfall and extends its appreciation to Doncaster Rovers for their cooperation in the deal.

Wadsworth is available immediately for selection at tomorrow night’s away match vs Sheffield FC.

Welcome to Horsfall, Gabriel!

Bradford (Park Avenue) fans, we’ve got something special lined up for you this weekend! After our highly anticipated clash against Ossett United, we’re inviting you to join us in the Clubhouse at 5:30 PM for an exclusive Q&A session with First Team Manager Craig Elliott.

This is your chance to hear directly from the gaffer as he shares his thoughts on the match, provides insight into the team’s performance, and discusses our plans for the season ahead. Whether you have questions about tactics, recent signings, or our ambitions moving forward, this is the perfect opportunity to get the inside track straight from the manager himself.

Key Details:
📅 Date: Saturday 1st March, Matchday vs Ossett United (DISCOUNTS ON THE GATE FOR THOSE IN GREEN & WHITE OR RED AMBER & BLACK!)
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Clubhouse, Horsfall Community Stadium

With the team pushing for success this season, and with Craig Elliott signed on for the 25/26 season, your support and engagement are more important than ever. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an insightful and engaging session with Craig Elliott.

See you in the Clubhouse! #GreenArmy

Bradford (Park Avenue) are back on the road this afternoon as we take on Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park, looking to bounce back and secure a vital three points.

The lads need your support, and whether you’re traveling to the game or tuning in from home, your backing can make all the difference!

Match Details

• Fixture: Bishop Auckland vs Bradford (Park Avenue)
• Date: Saturday, 22nd February
• Kick-off: 3:00 PM
• Venue: Heritage Park, Stadium Way, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9AE

Tickets & Entry

🎟 Admission Prices:

• Adults – £10
• Concessions – £9
• Under 16s – £5
  (Cash and card payments accepted at the gate)

🎟 Get your tickets online here: buff.ly/41eSZBf

Follow the Action

If you can’t make it to Heritage Park, we’ve got you covered! We will be live on X Spaces throughout the match, bringing you real-time updates and analysis from Lewis Sale.

🎙️ Join the commentary stream here from 2:55pm: x.com/BPAFCOfficial

GreenArmy #BPAFC #UpTheAvenue

Bradford (Park Avenue) is proud to announce that First Team Manager Craig Elliott has signed a new contract, extending his tenure with the Avenue until the end of the 2025/26 season. This extension builds on Elliott’s initial appointment in August 2024 and reflects his ongoing dedication to revitalising the club, alongside the board’s faith in his proven leadership.

Elliott first joined Bradford (Park Avenue) on a one-year contract, bringing with him a wealth of managerial experience in non-league football and an impressive track record of promotions and trophy successes. His journey began after hanging up his boots, taking charge of Pontefract Collieries before leaving to join Glasshoughton Welfare, where he secured promotion from the Northern Counties East League – Division One in 2012. A spell at Ossett Town followed, before he joined Shaw Lane Aquaforce, where he achieved three promotions, won the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup, and led notable runs in the Isuzu FA Trophy, Isuzu FA Vase, and Emirates FA Cup.

His success earned him the managerial role at Boston United, where he oversaw 161 matches, including a memorable Emirates FA Cup Second Round appearance in 2019 and a National League North Promotion Final run in 2020. Prior to joining Bradford (Park Avenue), Elliott had brief stints at Matlock Town and Buxton FC, where he guided the latter to two Derbyshire Cup victories and narrowly missed the play-offs before leaving in 2024.

Since arriving at Bradford (Park Avenue) in August, Elliott has worked tirelessly to halt the club’s decline following years of survival struggles and consecutive relegations. His current record as of 21st February 2025 shows 12 wins, 4 draws & 10 losses, putting us 10 points off the playoffs. His new deal signals a shared ambition to elevate the Green Army back to prominence.

Craig Elliott said: “After a few months of talks, I’m delighted to commit to BPA for next season. After a few years of survival and back-to-back relegations, the remit for this season was always to come in, stop the rot, and raise expectations.

“I feel this process has been achieved. Although results at present aren’t what we want, I feel we’re on track with the process we’ve outlined as a club. The hard work and planning start now to progress the club and create a club that the fans can be proud of on and off the pitch. We’ll keep fighting until the end of this season to gain promotion, but my focus is on next season, ensuring the club sees clear progression both on and off the pitch. I have a clear, proven record of successful teams, and I’ve really liked what I’m seeing behind the scenes. So I’m very optimistic that the future is bright.”

The Green Army faithful can look forward to Elliott’s continued leadership as the club battles for a play-off spot this season in the Northern Premier League East Division and sets its sights on sustained success moving forward.

Join us in Bishop Auckland today! KO is 3pm, or listen to live commentary from Lewis Sale on X!

Tickets – https://buff.ly/41eSZBf

https://x.com/BPAFCOfficial

The Club confirms the departures of Luke Hogg and Ewan Gregson.

Luke Hogg was well liked by fans, and a key figure in the dressing room during his time with the Club. He made 31 appearances as our skipper and leader, providing consistent performances in midfield.

Luke has departed to join North Ferriby, and we send our thanks for his effort and dedication to the Avenue.

Ewan Gregson, meanwhile, made 5 appearances for the Club while dual registered with Campion. We wish him well in his next chapter at Garforth Town.

We thank both players for their efforts and commitment during their time with us and wish them all the best for the future.

Tuesday 18th February 2025
19:45 KO
Horsfall Stadium

Match Preview provided by Olly Farrar

Bradford (Park Avenue) will host Garforth Town in what promises to be an exciting clash in the Northern Premier League (East). Both sides are desperate to get back to winning ways as this fixture could prove crucial in their quest for the play-offs.

Bradford (Park Avenue) comes into this fixture on the back of a patchy run of form, conceding 10 goals in the last 3 games that all ended in defeat for Avenue. Despite this, they are a team known for their solid defensive setup and quick counterattacks. The Avenue will look to take advantage of home soil, where they often find success. Expect a tactical approach from Boss Craig Elliott, who will aim to exploit Garforth’s weaknesses and keep things tight at the back.

Garforth Town, meanwhile, have had a mixed season so far but have shown flashes of brilliance in their attacking play. As a result, The Miners currently sit one place above Avenue (8th). They’ll need to become more clinical in front of goal at the Horsfall if they are to challenge Avenue, who on their day are difficult to break down.

For the home side, all eyes will be on Avenue skipper Mark Beevers who has plenty of EFL experience from his days at Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers and Millwall. For Garforth Town, their midfield playmaker will be key, as his creativity and vision could open spaces in Craig Elliott’s backline.

Historically, this fixture has been a close encounter. However, Avenue will be looking for their second victory of the season against the Miners thanks to a second half strike from Connor Shanks that gave them all three points in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

With both teams coming into the match looking for a boost, expect a hard-fought battle. Bradford Park Avenue’s home advantage may give them the edge, but recent performances could cause Garforth’s attacking quality to cause problems. If both teams are fully equipped, the result will likely come from an individual moment of brilliance.

Report provided by Edward Taylor

Bradford (Park Avenue) were disappointingly beaten 3-1 at home by Consett on Saturday afternoon, in the first-ever encounter between the two sides at the Horsfall Community Stadium, marking a third straight league defeat for the Green Army.

It would be Avenue who would mark the first attempt of note in the game inside the eleventh minute, with Josh Ashman and Sam Brown linking up well before the former beat his man and curled an effort just wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Just two minutes later, however, Consett would hit the front.

The visitors retrieved the ball in midfield through Smith, who played a through ball for Walker to latch onto on the left wing before manoeuvring into the Avenue box and calmly passed the ball into the bottom left corner, putting his side 1-0 up in the thirteenth minute of play.

Consett played with the wind in their sails after breaking the deadlock, and they would have cruised into a 2-0 lead inside fifteen minutes if not for a fine save by Cam Mason.

David Allasan raced through on goal with just the Avenue shot stopper to beat, but Mason impressively managed to turn his effort past the post.

Mason was the hero again just 3 minutes later after Charlie Exley’s cross deflected awkwardly off Mark Beevers, but the Avenue keeper pulled off a remarkable acrobatic save to deny an own goal accredited to the skipper.

After a barrage of Consett attacks in the immediate aftermath of the opening goal, Avenue managed to take the sting out of the game and suppress their visitors’ efforts before coming very close to an equaliser in the thirty-fourth minute.

This time it was the Consett skipper who nearly turned the ball into his own net after Connor Shanks whipped in a lovely low cross, causing Ryan McKinnon to divert the ball goalwards and be bailed out by a fantastic reaction save from Harry Moss.

Despite some encouragement, the afternoon would get worse for Avenue- Sam Brown was penalised for a foul in the box, resulting in a Consett penalty on the verge of half-time.

The spot-kick was tucked into the bottom left corner of the net by Calvin Smith, doubling the visitors’ lead at 2-0 heading into the break.

Avenue had plenty of work to do in the second period of play, but just as they did in the first period, conceded within the eleventh minute of the half.

Craig Elliott’s side lost the ball in the middle of the park which resulted in Consett striker Brandon Holsworth slotting Wil Shaw in behind the defence, who finessed his right-footed effort from the left-hand side of the box into the bottom right corner to put the game beyond reach for Avenue.

A quiet period followed the goal, as the visitors proved tough to break down for Avenue, who were frustrated in their efforts to get back in the game.

After a long spell without a clear-cut chance in the game, the Green Army eventually managed to grab a goal in the last of 4 added minutes in the affair through Paddy Sykes.

Myles La Bastide dispossessed Liam Colledge on the edge of the box and saw an effort denied by Moss, but Sykes was on hand to tap home the rebound to get Avenue on the scoresheet.

The referee blew the final whistle moments later, signifying the end of a rough afternoon for Avenue.

Next up for the Avenue is a chance to right their wrongs at the Horsfall Community Stadium, as they turn their focus to Tuesday night’s home clash with Carlton Town.