Avenue Suffer Successive Relegation

Despite a spirited fight back from a three goal deficit, a draw today against Gainsborough Trinity was never going to be enough.

After Bradford (Park Avenue) were relegated from the conference north in the 2022/23 season, many supporters were hoping this season would see the team bounce back. However, with little change to the playing squad over the summer the team started the season poorly.

The squad was further weakened as the season progressed, with key players, such as midfielder Jamie Spencer, suffering injuries that saw them taken out of action for long spells. As results spiralled, veteran manager Mark Bower was replaced by former Macclesfield man, Danny Whitaker. With a depleted squad, Whitaker set about bringing in fresh blood, but the damage was already done and the side suffered eight defeats on the bounce before they could stop the rot. Unfortunately the points that came subsequently were too little and too late.

Avenue will now ply their trade in the 8th tier of English Football, their first time at this level since 2008.

In a statement on their website the club said:

“Following today’s result, we are disappointed to confirm the Club’s relegation to the Northern Premier League East Division.

To all our fans & volunteers, we’d like to put on record our thanks for your incredible support throughout a dreadful season.

It is not what any of us wanted, and preparations are already underway to build a strong & competitive (Park Avenue) team for the 2024/25 season.”

Image Credit: John Rhodes