What you may call concise, but it gives you an idea............
Bradford Association Football Club was formed in 1907 and used the name of its ground, Park Avenue to distinguish itself from Bradford City AFC and Bradford Northern RLFC. Bradford (PA) AFC is the only club with brackets in its name to have played in the Football League.
The club had its origins as a rugby club (with a history that can
be traced back to 1863) and during the period 1880 to 1903 Bradford were close rivals of Manningham (later to become
Bradford City FC). In the same way that Manningham looked to soccer as a more viable commercial alternative to
rugby the origins of Bradford (Park Avenue) were similarly opportunist. Prior to formation the club had approached
Bradford City suggesting that a merged club could play at the superior Park Avenue ground. When the approach was
rejected the club sought election to the Football League in its own right. It was unsuccessful in its original
application of 1907 but after playing a season in the Southern League joined the Second Division of the national
Football League in 1908.
Bradford (Park Avenue) emulated Bradford City by attaining First Division status in 1914 but suffered successive
relegation from the First in 1921 and from the Second in 1922. Avenue spent six seasons in Division Three (North),
never finishing below 5th place and returned to Division Two in 1928 maintaining status at the level until 1950.
Like Bradford City the post-war period was a struggle in the lower divisions with one successful promotion season
(from Division Four) in 1961. Avenue were relegated in 1963 and the only highlight of the period was the goalscoring
prowess of Kevin Hector, sold to Derby County in 1966 and later a member of the Rams' double Championship team
of the Seventies.
Avenue lost their League place in 1970 having had to seek re-election on four successive occasions. The club then
entered the Northern Premier League but was unable to achieve any success or overcome its financial problems. In
1973 Avenue vacated their traditional Park Avenue stadium and moved to Valley Parade, home of rivals City where
they played for one final season before winding-up in 1974.
Supporters had kept the name alive by playing under the name of Bradford Park Avenue in the Bradford Alliance League.
In 1987, following interest generated by the publication of a club history efforts were made to reform a Bradford
Park Avenue AFC. The club has subsequently made great progress and in 1995 was promoted to the Unibond (Northern
Premier) League First Division as Champions of the North West Counties League. Avenue now stand three promotions
away from regaining a place in the Football League.
Avenue's traditional home, Park Avenue was also a Yorkshire County Cricket Club venue. The demoliton of the football
ground in 1980 meant the loss of Park Avenue as a regular cricket venue although Yorkshire CCC have subsequently
staged a number of games there. An indoor cricket hall stands on part of the football playing area and it is therefore
most unlikely that the site will be restored for use as a football arena. The Park Avenue football stadium was
arguably superior to Valley Parade and was famous for its 'Dolls House' pavilion (similar to the one at Craven
Cottage, Fulham).
The reformed Bradford Park Avenue AFC have played their home games at a number of grounds including Bramley RLFC
in Leeds and Batley RLFC near Dewsbury/Wakefield. Avenue returned to Bradford at the start of the 96/97 season
with a new home at the Horsfall Grounds (near Odsal Stadium on the south side of Bradford).
Bradford Park Avenue, 'A Brief History' taken from the Bradford City Website.
One for the anoraks amongst you, of which I am sure there are many!
BRADFORD (PA) Average League gates, 1908-70
Chronological Order Ascending Order
Average 10,365 Promotion years P Highest 17,687 lowest 3,137 Post-war years * * * Avge pre-war 11,712 Highest pre-war 17,240 Lowest pre-war 6,880 Avge post-war 8,851 Highest post-war 17,687 Lowest post-war 3,137
Taken from the Bradford City Website.
Green and white or Red, Yellow and black?
The traditional colours of Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC were RED,
GOLD and BLACK which were inherited from the original Bradford RFC and incidentally retained by Bradford &
Bingley RUFC and Bradford Northern RLFC who all claim common genealogy. In 1911 Avenue changed their colours to
GREEN and WHITE following the appointment of a Scottish manager and this may also have been a move to exploit the
local catchment area which had many residents of Irish origin. In so doing Avenue became the only club to have
worn green and white in the English First Division, between 1914 and 1921. Avenue reverted to red, gold and black
with white in 1924 but then revived green and white between 1958 and 1967.
The reformed Bradford Park Avenue have adopted green and white.
Avenue's club crest was the Bradford coat of arms and this has been used by the reformed club also.
In 1966 Bradford Park Avenue introduced their own cartoon mascot in response to the 'City Gent' at Valley Parade.
'Avenue 'Arry' is a cartoon of a supporter with hat and scarf waving a rattle. Avenue did not use the character
to the same extent as Bradford City exploited the 'City Gent' but it has been revived by the reformed club.
Taken from the Bradford City Website.
