It is with much sadness to report the death of Richard Leake. Richard had written a book called ‘A Breed Apart’ about Donald Bell VC and fellow Yorkshire Regiment Officer, Captain Archie White VC, which could be purchased through our Club Shop. Donald Bell was one of Bradford’s (Park Avenue) most illustrious players who played for Park Avenue between 1912 and 1914. 

At the outbreak of WW1 he asked for permission to leave Park Avenue and enlist, which he did. He joined the Green Howards, the Yorkshire Regiment and went into training as a private. He quickly progressed to become a Lance Corporal until, on June 18 1915, he was given a commission in the 9^th Yorkshires (Green Howards) and traveled to France to join his Regiment.

On the 5^th July 1916 he won the army’s ultimate award, the Victoria Cross (VC), for attacking, and taking, a German position at Horse Shoe Trench on the Western Front. His death came just 5 days later on the 10^th July when, under similar conditions, he again tried to attack and take an enemy position, but unfortunately was killed in the attempt.

These actions made Donald Bell the only Professional Footballer ever to win the VC.

Once only a wooden cross existed to mark the place, known as Bell’s Redoubt, where Donald Bell was killed in action. It was Richard Leake’s idea in 1996 to create a fitting memorial for Donald and on his design it was unveiled in September 2000 by General The Lord Dannatt, the then Chief of the General Staff and Colonel of the Green Howards, in a ceremony at Bell’s Redoubt. The memorial was extensively refurbished in 2014 under Richard Leake’s design where the brass plaque of the 2000 design was replaced by one made from granite. In December 2016 at a home game against Brackley Town, Richard Leake and David Nicholson presented Bradford (Park Avenue) with the original brass plague.

Richard Leake, David Nicholson and Major Roger Chapman, affectionally known as the Three Musketeers, were instrumental in involving Bradford (Park Avenue) in the various ceremonies held at Bell’s Redoubt and the most recent one was held in September 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Battle of the Somme and to remember members of the Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards) who lost their lives in the battle. The focal point of that weekend was the service held at Bell’s Redoubt to commemorate the life of Donald Bell and included a football match between Albert Sports FC and a team comprising of players from Bradford (Park Avenue) and The Yorkshire Regiment on the Saturday afternoon.

Finally, to recognize Richard’s vision for the Contalmaison project a plague will be placed on the Donald Bell memorial at Bell’s Redoubt and will be fixed at the site by the Leake family in August this year.

Rest in peace Richard

Then Lieutenant Leake, far left in glasses, at Annual Camp in 1959.

Bradford (Park Avenue) is calling on our amazing local community and businesses to join us in sprucing up the Horsfall Community Stadium! We need your help to ensure our stadium looks its best for the upcoming season.

Today, a few of our loyal fans took the initiative and volunteered their time to start the cleaning process, but we need more hands on deck! We are looking for volunteers who can provide both their time and cleaning equipment.

What We Need:

• Pressure washers
• Sponges
• Buckets
• Cleaning supplies
• YOU!

If you or your business would like to donate supplies or your time to the clean-up effort, please get in touch today on Secretary@bpafc.com.

Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC is thrilled to offer a range of sponsorship opportunities designed to elevate your brand and connect with our passionate community of supporters. With the growing popularity of Non-League Football, there has never been a better time to partner with us and gain unparalleled visibility for your business.

Pitchside Boards – £300 ex VAT, £325 ex VAT for prime locations (LOW AVAILABILITY)
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Our pitchside advertising boards offer a straightforward and impactful way to increase your company’s visibility. Placed around the pitch in crowd-facing positions, these boards ensure your brand is seen by all attendees and featured prominently across our social media channels and local newspapers. Your board will remain in place from installation through to the end of the season, including all cup and play-off fixtures.

Dugout Sponsorship – £500 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Dugout sponsorship provides excellent exposure, with the manager and staff constantly photographed and filmed during games. Choose from several prominent branding positions on the dugouts:

• Across the top
• Across the back
• Across the middle center

Programme Adverts – £150 Full Page, £75 1/3 Page ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Advertise in our 40-page match programme, produced for every NPL, FA Cup, and FA Trophy home fixture. You can opt for a full page or a 1/3 page advert, with your artwork delivered exactly as you want it. We also offer bundling options with other advertising opportunities such as posters or digital formats.

Player & Staff Sponsorship – £150 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Sponsor your favorite player or member of the coaching staff, with options to sponsor their home, away, or both shirts. This package includes a feature on the official website and in the matchday programme, a tannoy announcement when your player scores or is substituted, and a professionally taken photograph of you with your chosen player/staff member.

Hospitality – £30pp or £200 for a Table of Eight, per game
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Enhance your match day experience with our hospitality packages, perfect for entertaining clients, staff, family, or friends. Our Match-Day Hospitality Package includes:

• Two-course dining options
• Pre-match interview with the First-Team Manager and a Club Rep
• Match tickets
• Drink on arrival
• Team sheets on tables
• Match day competitions
• Man of the Match presentation

Matchday Sponsorship – £150 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Match day sponsorship combines quality hospitality with business promotion. This package includes:

• An announcement of your sponsorship on the club website and social media
• A memento of the day
• Your company name read out over the tannoy system
• Feature in the Official Matchday Programme
• Opportunity for two representatives to appear in the pre-match line-up photograph
• Two-course dining options
• Your company name on the official team sheet
• Up to two parking spaces (must be parked prior to 1:30pm)
• Two free drinks tokens per person
• Photograph with the Man of the Match

Match Ball Sponsorship – £100 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Raise your business profile or give someone a special day with our match ball sponsorship package, which includes:

• Table for 4 in the Hospitality Lounge
• Two-course dining options
• Match tickets for 4 people
• Signed ball presented by a BPA Player
• Name/company logo on the team sheet
• Tannoy announcement
• Social media coverage
• Opportunity for two representatives to appear in the pre-match line-up photograph

Clubhouse Sponsorship – £750 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Sponsor our popular Clubhouse, a key spot for pre and post-match drinks, and put your name on it. This package includes:

• Joint press release to announce the partnership
• Renaming of the Clubhouse to suit the sponsor
• Interior and exterior signage (at sponsor’s cost)
• Sponsor logo on all club literature
• Social media promotion
• Hospitality tickets for 4 people at every home fixture

Function Room Sponsorship – £750 ex VAT
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Sponsor our new Function Room, used as a Hospitality Lounge on match days and for various functions throughout the week. This package includes:

• Joint press release to announce the partnership
• Renaming of the Function Room to suit the sponsor
• Interior and exterior signage (at sponsor’s cost)
• Sponsor logo on all club literature
• Social media promotion
• Hospitality tickets for 4 people at every home fixture

Digital Scoreboard Sponsorship – POA
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Promote your business with our upcoming digital scoreboard. This sponsorship includes:

• Joint press release to announce the partnership
• Professionally taken photograph unveiling the scoreboard
• Signage on the digital scoreboard
• Sponsor logo on all club literature
• Social media promotion
• Hospitality tickets for 4 people at every home fixture

Main Stand Sponsorship – POA
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Show your support by sponsoring our Main Stand. This package includes:

• Joint press release to announce the partnership
• Name of the stand on match and season tickets
• Stand signage (at sponsor’s cost)
• Sponsor logo on all club literature
• Social media promotion
• Presence on club interview backdrop

Stadium Sponsorship – POA
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

The most exclusive and visible way to support Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC is by sponsoring the Horsfall Community Stadium. This premier sponsorship includes:

• Renaming of the stadium to suit the sponsor
• Joint press release to announce the partnership
• Stadium name on match and season tickets
• Official stadium signage
• Sponsor logo on all club literature
• Social media promotion
• Presence on club interview backdrop

Special Events Sponsorship – POA
Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com to enquire!

Sponsor one of our special events to connect with our community in unique and memorable ways. Events include:

• AVEYFEST: An annual end-of-season festival featuring live music, food vendors, charity matches, and more.
• BPAFC Golf Day: An annual golf day bringing together sponsors, fans, and ex-players.
• Hall of Fame Inductions: Celebrating individuals who have provided outstanding service to the club.
• Sportsman’s Dinners: Featuring special guests, live auctions, and entertainment.
• Legends Day: A reunion of former players and supporters, including a beer festival and ex-players game.

For more information or to discuss custom sponsorship packages, contact us today. Partner with Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC and become a part of our vibrant community while enhancing your brand’s visibility and impact.

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a confident and enthusiastic individual to become the new voice of the Horsfall Community Stadium as we’re on the lookout for a new Stadium Announcer 

For more info  email secretary@bpafc.com

We held the first session of our new Disability Football Programme this evening!

For anyone interested in playing or coaching, we will be running the programme every Monday, from 5pm – 6pm.

Want to get involved? Email us on Secretary@bpafc.com for more information!

#Avenue#BPA#Community#GreenArmy#Academy#BradfordParkAve#BFD#Football#ParkAvenue#Disability#disabilityfootball

Following on from the success of our first ever 1907 Business Club Lunch we are hosting our next event on the 27th September from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Our 1907 Business Club is a great way to network and check in on available sponsorship packages.

To book your place secretary@bpafc.com

Bradford (Park Avenue) are delighted to announce details of our summer camp programme for aspiring young footballers aged 6-12 to enjoy a fun summer with us at the magnificent Horsfall Community Stadium.

Professional coaching

Fun games & multi-sports

Player & Manager meet / photo

Photo with Ronnie the Ram

Lunch included

Breakfast club optional

Our camps kick off on the 29th July 2024. Dates below

29th July – 1st August (Mon to Thur)

5th August – 8th August (Mon to Thur)

12th August – 15th August (Mon to Thur)

19th August – 22nd August (Mon to Thur)

27th August – 30th August (Tue to Fri)

Early booking is advised as we anticipate these camps to reach capacity quickly.

£80pw

9am – 4pm

£4 per day for breakfast club (8-9am)

Weekly FREE prize draws for

Signed football

Match day hospitality package for x2

Family bundle match day tickets

Register today to avoid disappointment. Registrations are flying in

Date: Monday 24th June 2024

Time: 7pm registration

Venue: Horsfall Community Stadium, BD6 2NG

Other: Please ensure players have shin pads, water bottle and suitable clothing / footwear. Please note we have a 4g surface so no metal studs / blades are allowed

Register here – https://forms.gle/5YKetyQm23YEorPFA

#Bradford#ParkAvenue#GreenArmy#FOOTBALLTRIALS#trials#Football#BFD

You can now sponsor our Scholars & Staff! Get in touch today with Owen Murphy on Owen.Murphy@bpafc.com to enquire!

Matchday & Matchball sponsorships will become available when we release our Scholars fixtures for the 24/25 Season. Stay tuned #GreenArmy