Mike..

Good start Wag but, as a purist I think it's important that you update your description of Ormondroyd - in the part where you cover his playing days you forgot "runs like a girl"

Keep up the good work

retired_brittni10

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
Can I ask Wag, did you edit Thornton in or are you just pretending he's there? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just pretending. The game is as it is from the box.

I'm guessing that where a club has no recognised board then it stays that way like it did in previous games? Anyone know for definate..

Cheers for the other comments

retired_brittni10

(taken from Bradford & West Yorkshire Sport)

Bradford (Park Avenue) - A Brief History

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.

As Bradford (Park Avenue) it became the only club with brackets in its name ever to play in the Football League!

Entering the Football League in 1908, the club were members of the First Division from 1914 until 1921. During this time the club's traditional colours of red, amber and black (which have been used throughout most of its history) were changed to green and white, which are the colours adopted by the modern-day club.

Many famous players graced the Park Avenue turf during the club's Football League heyday, including Albert Geldard, the youngest player to play in the Football League when he turned out for the club in 1929, Ron Greenwood (later to become manager of England), Kevin Hector (the Football League's leading scorer in season 1965-66 who went on to win England caps and a First Division Championship medal with Derby County) and, most famous of all, Len Shackleton, the 'Clown Prince Of Soccer'", who was one of the most outstanding characters in English football in the 1940s and 50s.

However in the late 1960s the club struggled to compete in the Fourth Division, and was voted out of the Football League in 1970.

After four seasons in the Northern Premier League, during which the famous old ground was sold, the club was liquidated.

The supporters vowed to keep the old name alive, and played in the Bradford Sunday League under the club's name. By 1978, largely as a result of the initiative of current Vice President Bob Robinson, a team was formed to try to regain an eventual place in the Football League.

In the 16 years since then, 'Avenue' have risen up through eight levels of the Non League Pyramid to sit only two further promotions from regaining that coveted place in the Football League, and currently play at the Horsfall Stadium in south Bradford, less than two miles from the original Park Avenue ground. The Horsfall Stadium has the look of an athletics venue due to a running track and the fact that other than the covered 5,000 seater main stand the rest of the ground is open to the elements.

retired_brittni10

Tuesday 13th July 2004

My first day in charge saw me meet the back-room staff and the playing squad. First impressions - not only is the club numerically lacking, the ability of both sets is, shall we say a bit limited

The back-room staff is made up of coach Steve Jones, physio Steven Harper and scout Michael Peters, none of whom, with perhaps the exception of Harper have much of a chance of surviving beyond this season at the club and I will definitely be looking to bring in my own people. This process will start as soon as I receive some applications for the positions of assistant manager, coach and scout all of which I have made available, I've advertised for all roles using both the local and national press.

Now onto the playing squad. As I said previously - numerically it's lacking, but from my first training session it also appears we are thin on the ground in terms of quality. The club currently has a thirteen strong squad of semi-professionals who vary in both experience and ability. Strangely it contains no goalkeepers, which is most alarming so it will be my first task to find a goalkeeper for the coming season, hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Having such a small squad means that the current wage budget is well under the anticipated mark which means that although funds are tight I will be able to make some manoeuvres in the transfer market should sufficient targets be found. My current view is that the squad lacks depth and I will be looking to address this fact as soon as possible, I hope to be working with a squad of twenty-two players come the start of the season, although where they are going to come from I do not yet know.

retired_brittni10

The Current Squad (Part One)

Defenders

Ryan Crossley (D L - ENG - 24 y/o)
Left footed defender, signed in July 2003 from Wakefield & Emley, where he had been Player of the Year the previous season. Relatively quick, committed and aggressive but likely to start the season as a reserve.

Dean Jones (D C - ENG - 26 y/o)
Signed from Belper Town before the 2003/4 season. Started his playing career with Barnsley before joining Frickley Athletic and Ilkeston Town. Looks a solid player, good tackler and likes to put himself about. Will start the season as a first choice.

Adam Oldham (D C - ENG - 19 y/o)
Youngest player on the clubs books and also the most promising. Signed from Barnsley at the end of the 2003/04 season. Will be a first choice this season. Naturally fit, good in the air and also the tackle.

James Stansfield (D C - ENG - 25 y/o)
Formerly with Huddersfield, Halifax and Ossett Town. James is a good header of the ball so is always likely to be a threat from set pieces but is likely to be back-up player for much of the season.

Ben Cressey (D/DM L - ENG - 20 y/o)
Versatile defender, who progressed through the ranks at Chesterfield before being surprisingly released and subsequently snapped up by Avenue. Needs to work on his defensive play but going forward he could be a threat for us due to his pace and crossing ability - something which made him stand out during training, he has a sweet left foot.

retired_brittni10

Part Two

Midfielders

Neil Grayston (DM RC - ENG - 28 y/o)
Now in his second spell at the Avenue having previously joined from Bradford City before spells at Southport and Halifax bought him back. He'll be my captain and I would also like to add him to the coaching staff but for now he's content to carry on solely as a player. Committed, determined and naturally fit he's the perfect defensive midfielder for this level.

David Donaldson (M C - ENG - 25 y/o)
An aggressive central player who is tenacious in the tackle and good at going forward and getting into the box. Has league experience with Bradford City but has lost his way in recent years.

Craig Smith (M C - ENG - 20 y/o)
Formerly with Halifax Town. Played in New Zealand during the 2003 season. Scorer of some spectacular long-range goals, including the Internet Goal of the Season 2003/4. The kind of midfielder every club needs, basically he's a bit of an all rounder and I'll be looking for him to get amongst the goals as well as put himself about in the centre of midfield.

Andrew Quinn (AM RC - ENG - 24 y/o)
An attacking midfielder or wingback player who began his career at Sheffield Wednesday before being bought as a teenager for a fee of £75,000 by Leeds United, where he played alongside Kewell and Smith in Leeds' all conquering youth side, before being released in 1998. He joined Gainsborough Trinity from conference side Scarborough in January 2000. Player of the Season in 2002/3, and Internet Player of the Season 2003/4. Decent wide man who should get plenty of time on the flank where I hope he'll create some chances for others. Doesn't look to possess the strength to play in a more central role.

Danny Walsh (AM C - ENG - 25 y/o)
Signed from Kettering Town in November 2002. Started his career with Oldham Athletic, and has also played for Chesterfield. Determined, strong, aggressive and good in the air he'll be looking to cement a position in our midfield having lost his way in recent years.

retired_tonytranbg79

no keepers :eek:

retired_brittni10

Fantastically flawed isn't it

retired_brittni10

Part Three

Forwards

Ben Jones (S C - ENG - 21 y/o)
Joined Avenue before the start of this season. A former trainee at Bradford City, Ben has played for Farsley Celtic and Gainsborough Trinity, and spent season 2003/4 in the League of Wales with Aberystwyth Town, where his goals helped the club qualify for the UEFA Cup. Fast abrasive player who'll need to improve his finishing but looks to have the potential to do so and will hopefully form a strong threesome with the other two strikers at the club.

Steve Oleksewycz (S C - ENG - 21 y/o)
Joined Avenue in August 2003. Previously played for Halifax Town and Ossett Town. Leading goalscorer in season 2003/4. Likely to start the season on bench, although a good pre-season could change my mind. Good pace, decent finisher - solid.

Allan Pearce (S C - NZL (5 caps / 2 goals) - 21 y/o)
Previously with Barnsley and Lincoln City, and has 12 caps for New Zealand at under-23 level, being joint highest scorer in his country's 2004 Olympic Qualifying group competition. Possibly the clubs biggest asset, he'll need to live up to my billing to help us survive this season. Perhaps better as an all round striker than the other two but lacks something of a cutting edge in front of goal, although his recent performances for New Zealand gives me hope that he has improved on that front.

retired_brittni10

Part Four

Thoughts:

Apart from the obvious lack of a goalkeeper I think we need a right back or two, another central defender, a left sided midfielder and another striker. Although should a player come up who will obviously improve the standard of the squad I'll be doing my utmost to bring them in, even if it means moving some of the current squad out.

Hopefully I'll be able to bring in a few players before the season starts but with a few friendlies in the next few days it looks like I'll have to use what's currently here until then.