George has made 94 consecutive appearances in goal for the First Team, and has shown a high level of ability over the last two seasons, earning himself a place in full time football.
While donning the Green Army’s #1 Shirt, Sykes-Kenworthy kept 28 clean sheets in all competitions.
On the transfer, First Team Manager Mark Bower said;
“George has been superb for us over the past two years and whilst we are disappointed to lose him, there is no doubt that he deserves the chance to move back in to full time football having shown an outstanding level of consistency and maturity whilst with us.”
“I am pleased that we have been able to help another young player get back into the professional game and we wish him the best of luck.”
“We have secured a transfer fee for George and that, along with his wages will be available to us to invest in strengthening the team. “
George first joined the Club in December 2021 from Boston United, and in his first season (21/22) made 26 appearances in all competitions, keeping 11 clean sheets, for which he won both the Player of the Year award, and Player’s Player of the Year award at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Sykes-Kenworthy later agreed terms to stay at the Horsfall in June 2022, until the end of the 2023/24 season, and continued to show consistency and calm on the pitch, making 46 appearances and keeping another 12 clean sheets.
This weekend Avenue look for their first win since the 2nd of September when they beat Consett in the FA Cup first qualifying round.
The Green Army return to Northern Premier League action, facing Hyde United at Horsfall Community Stadium. Kick off is at 15:00 on Saturday. Gates open at 13:30.
Admission prices are as follows: Adults will pay just £13 entry, Concessions are in at £10, Students with a valid ID pay just £5, Youth (12-17) is just £3, and u12s go completely free!
Bower’s green army could jump Gainsborough in the table if results go their way this weekend. Currently sitting in 18th (two points above the drop) Mark understands the importance three points will mean for the team and the fans.
Avenue lost 5-2 to Tadcaster Albion in the West Riding Cup on Monday. Mark took the sensible decision to rest the first team squad for that match. The academy boys who stepped up put in a commendable performance and gained valuable experience. Before the match Mark said
“It’ll be a young team that play that game. With the squad that we’ve got and the injuries we’ve got, we’re not going to risk many first team players for that game.”
Being well rested, we can expect the first team squad to perform to the best of its abilities this weekend.
Hyde United sit seven places above Avenue and have won their last three league games against Atherton Collieries, Stafford Rangers and Basford United.
After losing to Avro in the Manchester Premier Cup; manager Nick Spooner stated:
“Hopefully everyone is back (from injury) … a couple could’ve done with a rest, but momentum was strong” – responding to the interviewer’s thoughts of: “Bradford Park Avenue being a good game to bounce back in.”
Written by Finlay Sturges
Twitter – @FinlaysturgesSJ
Instagram – @FinlaysturgesSJ
FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS – Tim Clapham @Avenueite
Bradford (Park Avenue) and Hyde United first met in Floodlit League football in the 1970s when they contested five matches over three seasons.
The North West Floodlit League comprised of clubs from the Northern Premier League and Cheshire League, and Bradford took part in the four seasons 1970-1 to 1973-4.
The visit of Hyde to Park Avenue in October 1970 was watched by 1,894, the club’s highest-ever crowd in the competition.
The 1973 power strikes brought an early end to the floodlit league that season and Hyde’s home game against Bradford was one of only a handful of matches played.
Rivalries were resumed in Northern Premier League football in 2001-2 when each team won their home game.
The following season Hyde finished bottom of the league and were relegated with Colwyn Bay. They only won five league games, one being against Bradford at Hyde at the beginning of the season.
The clubs did not meet again until October 2011, when they were drawn to meet in the 3rd qualifying round of the F.A. Cup. With home advantage, and top of the Blue Square Bet North, Hyde were firm favourites to beat Evo-Stik NPL Bradford from the league below.
However, in one of the shock results of the day Bradford triumphed 1-0 with Tom Greaves netting the decisive goal in the final minute. The clubs last met in 2014-15 in Conference North when Bradford completed a league double.
That season Bradford finished 13th, but Hyde dropped back into the NPL after being relegated with Colwyn Bay and Leamington.
