Bradford (Park Avenue) have signed a 35-year lease for Horsfall Stadium.
The news is extremely significant and arguably one of the most important developments in the club’s 32-year reformed history.
The long lease gives Avenue real scope for development of the Horsfall complex and coupled with the installation of the 3G pitch, Avenue have a real platform to aim for their long-term goal of returning to the Football League.
The 3G pitch will dramatically increase revenue and footfall to the club and the lease will enable wide-scale changes to the site. The length of the deal opens up more windows for funding as well.
Avenue moved to Horsfall in 1996, but have always hindered by Bradford Council’s refusal to grant a long-term lease.
Horsfall, the home of Bradford Athletics Club, was meant to be demolished in the early 2000s as the council planned to build the Odsal Sports Village. The scheme would have seen Bradford Bulls’ Odsal home redeveloped and a smaller stadium built on the Richard Dunn Sports Centre (which would have been demolished) for Avenue and the Athletics Club. The scheme was eventually shelved after years of planning and Avenue and Horsfall were effectively in limbo until Avenue owner Gareth Roberts began lengthy talks with the council over redevelopment.
Mr Roberts said: “We would like to thank the FSIF and the Premier League for their assistance in helping us create an improved venue. It is part of our broader plan to create a sporting hub at Horsfall Stadium that will be of benefit for years to come with a focus on improving both the Club and grassroots sport in the community, within the Bradford area. We hope to have further developments in due course.”