A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE’S LAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON

Since season 1966-67, Bradford Park Avenue had sought re-election in every season, then at the end of season 1969-70, and finishing well behind everyone else in Division 4 with only 6 home wins to their credit and none away, the crunch came with failure to retain their League position as fellow clubs lost patience and wanted change. Darlington 47, Hartlepool 42, Newport County 31 and newcomers from the Southern League, Cambridge United also with 31. Wigan Athletic, Northern Premier League runners-up accrued 18 votes and Bradford Park Avenue 17. Romford got 1. Chesterfield won the Division and Southend United were only 3 points ahead of having to seek re-election!

Bradford Park Avenue were formed in 1907 and this rejection meant a future in the Northern Premier League for 1970-71, they finished 14th and sought election to the Football League but got only one vote! After another poor season they had to sell their Park Avenue ground and they shared at Bradford City but at the end of season 1973-74 and after a final match with Great Harwood watched by 698 stopped playing at that level and the company was liquidated. They immediately reformed and began again in Sunday football, moved to the Saturday game once again and are still going strong to this day.

Our Match Programme is for a Division 4 game with Southend United on 17th January 1970 priced 1 shilling it has minimal editorial though applauds the club on the best four match run since 1966 ! It carries all their results and details of the opposition. When you consider that Bradford had only 6 home wins to their credit all season, at this point they had four and thanks to a Tony Woolmer second half goal in front of 4,524 secured their fifth. The sixth and final one came on March 31st with their highest win of the season, 3-0 against Hartlepool. Southend United included Bill Garner signed from Bedford Town and Eddie Clayton from Spurs. Star Bradford player was Ray Charnley who made 363 appearances for Blackpool and got one England cap in 1962.