20 Apr 2023

VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s notes (15/04/23)

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Everyone is a bit on edge because we need wins and last week we had a storming first half and lost out on three points due to a mishit cross. It was good to be part of the new streaming channel despite the early glitches. We are looking at possible streaming options for ourselves for next season, possibly with different kick-off days and times. It’s going to offer a different and additional  income stream if we need it.

For next season Calum will take over the programme shop unit and develop it as a programme, kit and retail shop, with Dave continuing to give advice on old programmes. Dave has done amazing work over many years and raised thousands through his knowledge and efforts. This allows him a little more time for himself and other fund-raising ideas for BPA whilst still retaining his expertise.

What is currently the kit room will become another retail shop, possibly with more food and drink selling space.

Classroom facilities have been improved this week by Ben and Neil so we can cater for an increased number of Academy students and we are looking to keep some lads on for degree courses in related Sports studies.

We are still working on a grant to improve the grass pitches, related lighting and car park areas, all of which require attention. The rain gully and pipes at the rear of the main stand need fixing and we must make the camera gantry better as well as the gents toilets by the programme shop. Any offers of help or advice on fixing infrastructure problems should be directed to Calum and Neil. We have inherited quite a few of these issues as the council didn’t have funds to keep Horsfall in the best state or repair. This adds to our costs.

Calum is already working on pre-season friendlies, the next season ticket offers and the new kit deal and is starting to get traction on regular Horsfall events offers. Your support is always welcome.

As far as the league is concerned, Fylde and Kings Lynn are struggling to jump ahead of each other on the champion’s position and the play-off positions are still not easy to predict, though Chester are nailed on. Relegation battles continue and with a couple of wins for us, clubs above us would start to worry.

As yet we still don’t know whether all the NL pitch and accounting standards have been met yet by all clubs so it’s possible that fourth from bottom may yet survive. All to play for, though Telford are down and out and Scunthorpe will be a NLN team next season.

King’s Lynn ‘lost’ their manager to Aldershot and Brackley sacked their manager having only appointed him this year, with skipper Gaz Dean now taking over. Teams up at the top seem to have their money troubles and the NLN has had its least predictable season for a long time and no doubt has more twists and turns to come

Let’s start a winning run today, please get behind the lads again and let’s give them hope in upsetting the odds. They are giving it all on the pitch and there’s still hope we can survive in NLN.

19 Apr 2023

Match Preview – Hereford vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Great escape still on for Avenue.

Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Hereford for their final away game of the season in fine form this weekend having closed the gap on survival to just five points, whilst still maintaining a game in hand over the sides above.

The Green Army looked dead and buried at the beginning of the month, but a four game unbeaten run has seen the Avenue pick up eight points from a possible twelve, boosting their survival hopes as many around them have faltered.

Bower’s men saw off Banbury United last time out, with a narrow 1-0 home victory courtesy of a Harrison Hopper header on the hour mark. The Avenue boss was particularly pleased with the way his side navigated the second half, acknowledging: “the lads dug in and did what they had to do without coming under too much pressure”. Speaking about the upcoming trip to Hereford, Bower emphasised the importance of bringing back all three points, adding: “we’ve just got to win haven’t we? We can’t afford any slip ups”.

This weekend’s hosts will welcome Bradford (Park Avenue) to Edgar Street feeling much more relaxed following an important away win at Peterborough Sports last Saturday. Hereford were previously on a seven-game winless streak, a run that had seen them begin to fall dangerously close to the drop zone. However, the 2-0 victory at Lincoln Road quelled any fears and secured their National League North status for another season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will take confidence from the fact that they have already beaten The Bulls this season. The Avenue secured their second win of the season in the reverse fixture against Hereford at the Horsfall Community Stadium back in October, thanks to a late Jacob Blyth penalty. In fact, The Green Army have an excellent head-to-head record against this weekend’s hosts. In their previous eight league meetings, the Avenue have recorded five victories, drawing twice and losing just once.

The stakes are high this weekend and anything other than a win could spell the end for Bradford (Park Avenue)’s National League North safety hopes depending on results elsewhere. However, if the Avenue were to bring all three points back to West Yorkshire, it would give them the opportunity to take the survival battle down to the wire with two crucial home games remaining next week – a game in hand against play-off hopefuls Alfreton Town on Wednesday evening followed by a final day encounter with title-chasing AFC Fylde.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter and Instagram)

Kick off: Saturday 22nd April, 15:00

Location:

Hereford FC, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JU

For details on visiting Edgar Street, click click here

Tickets:

Tickets can be bought from the Hereford FC ticket office, or online by clicking here. The following information has been taken from the Hereford FC club website:

‘ADVANCE’ TICKET PRICES (online)

SEATING
Adult: £18
Concession*: £15.50
U21 Student**: £9
U16***: £3

TERRACE

Adult: £15.50
Concession*: £13
U21 Student**: £8
U16***: £3

MATCHDAY PRICES

SEATING
Adult: £20
Concession*: £17
U21 Student**: £11
U16***: £4

TERRACE
Adult: £17
Concession*: £15
U21 Student**: £10
U16***: £4

*Concession prices apply to those in receipt of their full state pension.
**Our U21 Student price applies to all those 16-21 year olds in full time education.
***Please note all U14s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (Over 18).

13 Apr 2023

Match Preview – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Banbury United

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Fight for survival continues against Banbury.

Bradford (Park Avenue) continue to fight for their National League North status as they prepare to host Banbury United at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday.

The Green Army head into the game on a three-match unbeaten run, having picked up four points over the Easter weekend, a double-header which could have seen the club relegated to the Northern Premier League had results not gone their way. As it was, the Avenue got their weekend off to a great start by dispatching Southport in a comfortable 2-0 victory on Good Friday, before fighting to an impressive 2-2 draw away to promotion-chasing Darlington just three days later.

It will be another nervous weekend for the Avenue faithful as, once again, results elsewhere could see Bradford relegated if they taste defeat at the hands of Banbury United. The Green Army currently sit 23rd on 39 points, seven points from safety and with a game in hand over other relegation-threatened sides Leamington and Kettering Town.

Manager Mark Bower will be hopeful that Will Longbottom can continue his fantastic form in recent weeks having netted three times in his previous four appearances, including both of Avenue’s goals at Darlington last time out. Likewise, academy graduate Myles La Bastide has adapted well to first team football, his late goal at home to Southport last Friday being the icing on the cake of a much-needed win for the club.

This weekend’s opposition will arrive at the Horsfall in 16th place sitting seven points above the drop zone, knowing that a win will all but guarantee their place in the National League North for another season. The Puritans are unbeaten in their previous five matches, four of which were draws. Manager Andy Whing will be hoping midfielder Giorgio Rasulo can re-discover his goalscoring form. Nine goals in the first half of the season makes Rasulo Banbury’s top goal scorer this campaign, however the Puritans captain hasn’t found the net since a 2-1 defeat at AFC Telford United in early-December.

Banbury United’s promotion to the National League North this season meant that the reverse fixture back in November was the first time these two clubs had met in league competition. The game, a Tuesday night fixture in late-November, looked to be heading for a goalless draw when an 89th minute winner from Banbury’s Jay Williams secured all three points for the home side. Bradford (Park Avenue) will be eager to equal the head-to-head record this Saturday in what is another must-win game for the Green Army’s survival hopes.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter and Instagram)

Saturday 15th April – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Banbury United

Kick off: 15:00

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 (With Valid ID)

Youth (12-17) – £3

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

13 Apr 2023

VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM – Paul Armitage’s Notes (07/04/23)

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Last week we heard from Martin Knight on the West Yorkshire Route One Show, in discussion with Lewis Sale. The underlying story doesn’t change – running the club is an expensive job and only Gareth’s funding keeps the club alive. As I have been saying in my programme notes, there is a lack of investors locally and we need to fund the football team through our various commercial exploits to try make investment more attractive.

That means sensible commercial budgeting for the first team, improved funding of the Academy and Juniors, greater use of the stadium facilities and increased crowd appeal. The latter comes through greater success on the field, though our gates don’t seem to fluctuate wildly whether we have been high or low in the league, so the need to generate more younger supporters works in the short and longer term.

Given our moaners and armchair critics struggle to understand the financial situation and how we have two excellent champions in Calum and Tom, who work hard to boost income and control costs, I want to encourage our keen supporters to attend or organise events held at Horsfall.

There seems to be some confusion about how the separation of the stadium’s business and the football club’s finances work, so here is a brief resumé.

The charitable model (Horsfall Trust) is suitable for organisations that will be asking for money, in the form of donations, grants, bequests etc.

A CIC set-up is intended for organisations that will have primarily social purposes but will earn a significant proportion of their income from trading.

CICs are more likely to be financed through loans than grants, though grants can be won.
CICs are liable for taxes and business rates which charities don’t have to pay.
CICs have the freedom to be entrepreneurial.

The stadium company (a CIC) is aiming to pay all the costs that relate to stadium operations and when it can do that it can donate any excess funds to cover the repayment of loans that have been used for capital improvements to the stadium and most of those loan liabilities belong to the football club.

The stadium runs its own budget, which Calum has brought into shape and the organised stadium events or matches on the pitch fund stadium income. Food and drink profits from events go to the stadium. Credits from bar sales for anchor user events or match days are recorded and will be released when the stadium makes money.

Watch out for some extra, new events and matches coming up soon, thanks to Calum. That means new income!

The Academy runs its own budget, driven by funding from the parents of Junior team members or by College funding on a ‘per student’ basis.

Clearly we have to recruit these students by making the footballing pathway attractive and ensuring it gives the best coaching standards to students.

Coaches cost money, so it is important for Tom to get the best coaches so we can earn the best income and it helps to have the links already created to lower levels of men’s football teams so we can introduce keen players early to the rigours of football at that level.

The Academy and Tom’s budget come under Martin’s line management as do Mark and Danny’s work, of course.. Calum reports into Martin for his football secretary duties, which means the communication links to our league, registering players, liaising with sister clubs and organising match days.

Calum’s extensive Sunday League history of organising leagues, teams and players gives him very important knowledge of footballing matters.

Calum also leads on issues like retail sales including kits and will soon be showcasing a new deal for kits throughout the age groups, so colours, sizes and costs, all of which can be ‘emotional’ issues are his domain. Calum is a natural negotiator! Just check out the advertising boards around the pitch – far more than ever before, and increasing sponsorship deals.

The football club costs – players, managers, physio costs, NI costs, agent costs, travel costs, player loan costs, tax and accountancy costs are offset by gate income and events organised by BPA, with help also from those supporters who help to increase the Development Fund monies.

The DF supports the management if player funding is needed or if supporter facilities can be improved. The DF operates entirely independently from the stadium or football club and makes its own decisions but liaises with the football club management.

The DF has many former directors, volunteers and benefactors of BPA and has provided very useful income over many years.

As for me, I am Calum’s line manager for stadium issues and act as a sounding board for him, suggest ideas and, as a fan, I listen to fan concerns and try facilitate communications. In recent months we have held a fan’s zoom meeting, Martin has done an hour on local radio and Gareth visited from the States recently.

I am a BPA rep on the stadium board, along with the well-respected and hard-working volunteer,Neil Fawcett and I am a trustee of the Horsfall Trust, which aims to provide such things as holiday camps for local, underprivileged children, with help from the Academy coaches.

As we expand the events business, Neil is seeking extra bar staff and we are also keen to have a part-time stadium supervisor for evening work, perhaps four or five nights for four or five hours each night to ensure stadium security is maintained and for the safe use of our facilities. Calum is the person to contact if you are keen to help out.

Thanks to our two Avenue champions (Calum and Tom) we believe we are setting up some very good future plans for the club and the stadium. It helps to organise the club and stadium in this separate way, so we can help drive stadium and football improvements.

No directors receive any salaries for their work in these endeavours, and as you now know, the current costs per annum can amount to £350k, relentlessly, so the ‘plan’ is to increase club and stadium income, control costs and make Avenue and Horsfall future-proofed for survivability.

Keep watching our Facebook site for more new news.

No vanity projects, just a plan for survival and a desire to continue to improve what we do and how we do it.

You can help too. Volunteer your time, if you can, or sponsorship money, if you can, or just turn up for football. Academy games are free entry, season tickets are great value, the chips are legendary and bar prices are competitive!

5 Apr 2023

Match Preview Double-Header – Southport (H) and Darlington (A)

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Easter double-header set for spirited Avenue.

Bradford (Park Avenue) face a nervous Easter weekend, knowing that they could be relegated from the Vanarama National League North on Monday if results don’t go their way.

First up for the Avenue on Good Friday is the visit of Southport to the Horsfall Community Stadium. The Green Army will be hosting the Sandgrounders fresh from earning a hard-fought point in a goalless draw at Curzon Ashton last Saturday, a performance that left manager Mark Bower proud of his side’s effort despite the desperate need for a win.

Southport will be making the trip to Bradford whilst occupying 15th place in the National League North, knowing that despite their eight-point cushion from the relegation places, there is still work to do to ensure their survival in the division for another year. With only one win in their previous six matches, and having lost their last two, the Sandgrounders will be keen to get back to winning ways and avoid a nervous finish to the season.

Southport manager Liam Watson will be hoping to have top scorer Jordan Archer fit for the season’s climax. The centre-forward took his league tally into double-figures in Tuesday’s loss at home to Banbury United, and has averaged 0.38 goals per game in this campaign.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be eager to avenge the drubbing they received away to Southport earlier in the season. The Green Army went down 4-1 at Haig Avenue back in October in what was their tenth consecutive league game without a win at the start of the season. However, the loss at Southport did spark a revival in Avenue’s campaign and was followed by three wins on the bounce. The Avenue faithful will also feel that their side are long overdue a win over Friday’s opponents. Eight encounters have passed since their last victory against Southport, a 4-0 away thrashing back in December 2017.

There will be little time for rest and recuperation as Bradford (Park Avenue) will then travel to promotion-chasing Darlington on Easter Monday. The Quakers had been flying high earlier in the season but a recent run of four games without a victory has seen them slip to sixth in the league table, two points into the play-off positions albeit with a game in hand over the chasing pack.

Darlington have been particularly impressive in front of goal this season, their 68 goals scored bettered only by the league’s top two sides, AFC Fylde and Kings Lynn Town. Striker Jacob Hazel has proven to be an impressive signing after joining from Whitby Town last summer. The forward has netted 18 league goals this campaign and continues to be instrumental to Darlington’s promotion push. No doubt the Bradford-born Hazel will want to impress against a side from his hometown as he looks to become the National League North’s outright top scorer this season.  

The reverse fixture between the two sides saw Darlington emerge victorious despite the Avenue taking an early lead courtesy of Jamie Spencer. The Quakers hero on that day was striker Mark Beck with a second half double. Beck’s 15 league goals in the first half of the season led to National League side Solihull Moors meeting his release clause in January. The loss of the influential Beck was surely a consideration for Darlington when securing a loan move for Avenue’s Jacob Blyth last month.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be encouraged by their impressive record in recent years at Blackwell Meadows. The Green Army have been victorious on each of their previous three visits to Darlington, the most recent being a 2-1 victory in September 2021. The Avenue faithful will understand that it is vital for this record to continue if they are to maintain their survival bid into the final weeks of the season.

Match Previews by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter and Instagram)

Friday 7th April – Bradford (Park Avenue) vs. Southport

Kick off: 15:00

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 (with Valid ID)

Youth (12-17) – £3

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

Monday 10th April – Darlington vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off: 15:00

Getting there (taken from the Darlington club website):

ADDRESS

Darlington Football Club, Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NR

PARKING ON SITE

Matchday car parking at Blackwell Meadows is available on a first-come-first-served basis, at £5.00 per car. Please allow a little additional time ahead of the match and at full time to exit the car park.

There are also a number of Blue Badges spaces available, please email dave.watson@darlingtonfc.org ahead of the match to reserve a Blue Badge space.

PARKING NEARBY

Alternatively, you may wish to us the numerous town centre car parks. Situated within 20-25 minutes stroll of Blackwell Meadows, charges will apply. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk for further information on locations and charges for parking.

We would like to urge all supporters who park their vehicles away from Blackwell Meadows, to park with respect and consideration for residents in the vicinity of the ground, to respect areas around the ground and not to park on verges.

FINDING US BY CAR

DIRECTIONS FROM THE SOUTH

  • From the A1(M), take the junction 57 exit, A66 (M) towards Darlington and Durham Tees Valley Airport. Two miles on, at the roundabout at the end of motorway, take the first exit A66.
  • Follow this for approx 400 yards to another roundabout. Take the 2nd exit.
  • Exit A167 to Darlington. Blackwell Meadows is on your right after approx. 400 yards.

DIRECTIONS FROM THE WEST

  • From the M6 North, take the A685 (junction 38) at Tebay, and then follow this road through Kirkby Stephen to the junction of the A66 at Brough.
  • Turn right, and follow the A66 to Scotch Corner and the junction of the A1 (M)
  • From the A1(M), take the junction 57 exit, A66 (M) towards Darlington and Durham Tees Valley Airport.
  • At the roundabout at the end of motorway, take the first exit A66.
  • Follow this for approx 400 yards to another roundabout. Take the 2nd exit A167 to Darlington. Blackwell Meadows is on your right after approx. 400 yards.

DIRECTIONS FROM THE NORTH

  • From A1(M) junction 59, take the A167 towards the town centre.
  • Follow the A167 for five miles along the ring road. After you have passed Sainsbury’s on your left hand side, you are now on Grange Road.
  • The ground is approx three quarters of a mile after Sainsbury’s on your left hand side.

DIRECTIONS FROM THE EAST

  • From the A19 in Middlesbrough, take the A66 signposted Darlington, and follow this road for approx 15 miles until you reach the junction with the A167.
  • Take the fourth exit at the roundabout (signposted Darlington A167) and the ground is 400 yards on your right.

LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There are six buses leaving Stand M outside the Town Hall in the hour leading up to kick-off on Saturday, three of which will call at Bank Top Station on the way. See the timetable below*. The standard adult fare is £1.70 and is free for those with a bus pass. The No. 12 is a through service from Middleton St. George – ideal for anyone living in the Yarm Road area.

The X26/X27 services run between Darlington and Catterick Garrison via Barton, Scotch Corner, Skeeby and Richmond, so this is also a useful service for our fans who live along this route. For a full timetable for these services please click here.

TAXI

Private hire taxis are available from anywhere in the town for only £4 each way. So for four sharing that is only £2 each to the match and back.

Some companies can provide mini-buses. Typical fares for an 8-seater across town is £8 and £12 for a 16-seater. This is ideal for groups of fans that choose to meet at their local pub in advance of the game. You should allow an additional £2 for each additional pre-arranged pick-up point along the way. You are advised to book your taxi or mini-bus in advance and to agree the fare at that time.

Also please be aware that all drop-offs and collections will be on Grange Road. Only vehicles destined for the car parks will be allowed into the access to Blackwell Meadows.

WALKING

Blackwell Meadows is within a 30 minute stroll for a significant proportion of Darlington residents.

A 1½ mile walking cordon from Blackwell Meadows extends as far west as Salutation Road, as far north as the junction between Carmel Road North and Abbey Road, part of Milbank Road, Woodland Road and across to Gladstone Street. The eastern boundary includes the whole of Park Lane, Neasham Road/Geneva Crescent area and the whole of Skerne Park.

If you’re planning to stop-off in town on the way for a drink, you need to be seeing those pints off by 2pm to ensure that you arrive at Blackwell Meadows in good time to avoid the queues at the turnstiles.

CYCLING

Blackwell Meadows is easily accessible by bike from southern and western parts of the town.

TICKETS

Match tickets can be purchased either in advance by clicking here or on the day at the turnstiles using either contactless debit/credit card or cash.

Adult (25-64) – £15 standing, £17 seating

Concession (18-24, 65+, registered disabled, student) – £11 standing, £13 seating

Junior (12-17) – £5 standing, £7 seating

Child (U12 + paying adult) – FREE

31 Mar 2023

Appeal for information | Abiel Ghirmay

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We are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of Abiel Ghirmay who has been missing since yesterday morning.

Abiel, aged 19, was last seen by his family when he left home in Middleton Leeds yesterday morning at 10.19am. Abiel was wearing a green and black North Face jacket and had a black Nike backpack.

He is described as a 5ft 10ins to 5ft 11ins black African male, of skinny build with brown hair.

We are appealing for anyone who thinks they may have seem him or knows of his whereabouts to please contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101, or to contact Academy Technical Director Tom McStravick via email to

thomas.mcstravick@bpafc.com

29 Mar 2023

Match Preview – Curzon Ashton vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)

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Avenue aim to end winless run at Curzon Ashton.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be aiming to turn around their torrid form as they travel across the Pennines to take on Curzon Ashton on Saturday. A disappointing home defeat at the hands of Buxton last weekend means the Avenue are now eight games without a win, and, more crucially, nine points adrift of safety. With only seven games to go, their chances of survival in the Vanarama National League North are looking slimmer by the week.

A positive run of results is therefore essential for the Green Army to give themselves the best possible chance of pulling off the great escape, and they will look to kick-start this against The Nash at The Tameside Stadium. This weekend’s hosts occupy 11th place in the league, and a current four-match unbeaten streak has made them hopeful of a late push for the playoffs.

One player the Avenue will need to keep quiet this weekend is Curzon Ashton striker Tom Peers, with the attacker notching 15 goals in 37 league appearances this season, including two in his previous three games. Peers’ impressive tally is the joint-fourth highest in the National League North this season.

Bradford (Park Avenue) will look to take inspiration from their 2-1 home victory in the reverse fixture with Curzon Ashton back in October, a result which holds particular significance in the Green Army’s season. Trailing with less than ten minutes of normal time remaining, quick fire goals from Will Longbottom and Oli Johnson turned the game on its head and gave the Avenue their first win of the campaign, ending a run of ten games without a victory at the start of the season. The result triggered a sequence of three successive wins, something that the Avenue will need to do again if they are to save themselves from the drop.

On the topic of Longbottom, the Avenue attacker came in for particular praise from manager Mark Bower in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat to Buxton. A first half injury to Brad Dockerty led to Longbottom being tasked with leading the line, and Bower said: “I thought he was our best player by a country mile. I thought he did really well, looked a threat, and like he always does, he ran his socks off.” The Yorkshireman’s display was rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot, and Bower will no doubt be counting on Longbottom to build on his impressive display away to Curzon Ashton this weekend.

The Green Army will be hoping October’s victory over Curzon Ashton has changed their fortunes in this fixture, as prior to this season The Nash had won their previous five encounters against the Avenue. The Avenue faithful would have to look back to February 2017 for their most recent victory at The Tameside Stadium, with goals from James Knowles and current assistant manager Danny Boshell securing a 2-1 win for the visitors. Interestingly, Curzon Ashton were on a four-match unbeaten run on that occasion too, as the visitors brought the three points back to Bradford and took a big step towards safety. The Avenue will be hoping history can repeat itself in more ways than one this weekend.

Match Preview by Stephen Grimshaw (@sgsportswriter on Twitter and Instagram)

Kick off: Saturday 1 April 2023, 15:00.

Getting there:

The Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HG

Directions:

M60 (from Stockport) Junction 23 turn left off slip road, then get into the second from left lane to go through the lights onto the A6140 sign-posted Ashton. Keep on the A6140 until you come to a set of traffic lights with a cinema on your right, turn left at these lights, follow road over a bridge then over a mini-roundabout then turn left after the mini-roundabout. Ground is at the bottom. ALL VEHICLES MUST PARK IN THE CAR PARK ON THE RIGHT. COACH PARK ON LEFT

Parking:

Free car parking is available with six disabled spaces. There is also a large ‘Over-Spill’ car park located on the left at the beginning of the approach road to the stadium.

Tickets:
All tickets can be purchased on Match Days at the turnstiles using either cash or card.

Adults: £15.00

Concessions: £10.00 (Over 65)

Students: £10.00 (ID must be shown on entry)

16’s to 18’s: £5.00

Under 16’s free (Must be with Full paying Adult)

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!