Club Overview
Bradford (Park Avenue) Association Football Club are a historic West Yorkshire club formed in 1907. Known to supporters as Avenue and sometimes as the Green Army, the club has a remarkable story that includes decades in the Football League, the end of the original organisation in 1974 and the creation of a new club in 1977. The modern side continues to represent Bradford in the non-league pyramid.
For 2026/27, Bradford (Park Avenue) compete in the Northern Premier League East Division at Step 4. Their home is the Horsfall Community Stadium in south Bradford. The club’s history is closely connected with the city’s wider football identity, but it is important to distinguish the original Football League club from the revived organisation that continues today.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Bradford (Park Avenue) Association Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1907; current club formed in 1977 after the original folded |
| Nickname | Avenue / The Green Army |
| Location | Bradford, West Yorkshire |
| Home ground | Horsfall Community Stadium |
| Address | Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG |
| 2026/27 league | Northern Premier League East Division (Step 4) |
| Football League era | 1908–1970, for the original club |
| Official website | Bradford (Park Avenue) official website |
Club History: Two Eras of Bradford (Park Avenue)
Formation and the Football League years
Bradford Association Football Club was formed in 1907 and adopted the Park Avenue name to distinguish itself from other sporting organisations in the city. The club joined the Football League in 1908 and competed in the professional game for more than six decades. During this period, Bradford (Park Avenue) developed its own identity alongside Bradford City, with both clubs representing different strands of the city’s football tradition.
The original club’s Football League period lasted until 1970, when it lost its place in the League. The end of that era was followed by a period in the Southern League, but financial and organisational difficulties continued. The original club folded in 1974. That collapse was a major loss for Bradford football and left a gap that supporters and local football people would later try to fill.
Reformation in 1977
A new Bradford Park Avenue club was formed in 1977, carrying the name and heritage into non-league football. The revived club had to build its own competitive record and work its way through the regional pyramid rather than simply resume the old Football League position. The process took time, but it restored senior football under the Park Avenue name and gave supporters a club to follow again.
The revived club gradually progressed through non-league competitions, eventually returning to the Northern Premier League and later reaching the Conference North, now known as the National League North. Promotion to Step 2 in 2012 was a major modern milestone and brought the club back into a national division with a wide range of opponents from across the north of England.
National League North and the modern pyramid
Bradford (Park Avenue) spent several seasons in the National League North, competing against established non-league clubs and former Football League sides. The period included play-off contention and demanding campaigns that required the club to manage travel, squad depth and the financial realities of Step 2 football. Subsequent relegations brought Avenue back down the pyramid, and the 2026/27 season sees the club in the Northern Premier League East Division at Step 4.
That change in league level does not erase the club’s history. The modern organisation carries the responsibility of maintaining the Park Avenue name while building its own record and staying connected with supporters in Bradford. The club’s present task is to establish consistency at Step 4 and work towards a sustainable future in the regional game.
Honours and Memorable Milestones
- 1907: original Bradford Association Football Club formed.
- 1908: entered the Football League.
- 1970: left the Football League after more than six decades in the professional competition.
- 1974: original club folded after a period in the Southern League.
- 1977: new Bradford Park Avenue club formed to continue the name and local football tradition.
- 2012: returned to Step 2 by reaching the Conference North / National League North.
- Competing in the Northern Premier League East Division in 2026/27.
Ground Guide: Horsfall Community Stadium
Address: Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG.
The Horsfall Community Stadium is Bradford (Park Avenue)’s current home and sits in south Bradford. It is a shared community sports venue rather than the club’s historic Football League ground, so visitors should not confuse it with Park Avenue Stadium, where the original professional side played. The modern ground has hosted Avenue through their return to the national pyramid and their more recent league campaigns.
The club has issued ground regulations stating that general stadium parking is not available unless specifically authorised. Supporters should therefore plan their journey carefully and avoid assuming they can park inside the venue. The club also asks visitors to park considerately in surrounding streets and to follow local restrictions and matchday instructions.
Planning a visit
- Address: Cemetery Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG.
- Parking: The club states that parking inside the stadium is not generally permitted unless authorised in advance. Check current guidance and park considerately.
- Admission: Confirm current prices, concessions and ticket arrangements through the official club website.
- Facilities: Check matchday information for current refreshments, clubhouse and spectator facilities.
- Accessibility: Contact the club in advance for details of accessible routes, parking and viewing facilities.
- Fixture details: Verify the date and kick-off time through the official schedule before travelling.
Bradford Football and the Park Avenue Identity
Bradford has a rich football history, and Park Avenue’s story is a distinctive part of it. The original club’s Football League years, its collapse and the 1977 revival illustrate how football identities can survive organisational change. The modern club’s role is to preserve that connection while creating its own achievements and remaining a visible part of the city’s sporting landscape.
The Horsfall Community Stadium offers a different setting from the old Park Avenue ground, but it gives the current club a base from which to compete and connect with supporters. As with many non-league clubs, the work of volunteers, staff, players and supporters is essential to maintaining that presence and creating a route forward after relegation.
NonLeagueReview Ground Notes
Bradford (Park Avenue) are a club with two distinct chapters: the original side’s Football League years from 1908 to 1970, and the revived club formed in 1977. That history makes Avenue a notable name in the non-league pyramid, even as the team begins another phase in the NPL East Division. For visitors, the key practical points are the Horsfall Community Stadium address and the club’s restriction on general stadium parking.