Darlo Uncovered

Looks like the bankrolling is coming to an end and the tiny crowds have finally caught up with them......

Nicky Wroe says joining Boston United was an ‘easy decision’ after being told the entire Bradford Park Avenue squad were being put up for grabs.

The former Barnsley, York City and Preston North End midfielder has been part of the BPA side which reached the National League North play-offs last season and spent much of this campaign on top of the table.

But Wroe told The Boston Standard manager Mark Bower had been warned his players were free to leave the Horsfall Stadium.

“Basically, a couple of weeks ago the gaffer had a team meeting and said that, instead of getting backing, he was getting his budget cut and that everybody would have their name circulated at the request of the chairman and people above him,” Wroe said.

“He was obliged to inform us as soon as anybody came in. It’s real strange, I’ve never encountered it before. “Basically, they’ve come out and said behind the scenes they’re not ready to go up. But when are you ready to go up? What does that say to the players?”


I know Bradford are trying to play this down but if Wroe's right I can see them falling away now.

https://www.facebook.com/93113125023036 ... 79?sfns=cl

They say here that they can be sustainable in the NL but after ‘rebalancing’ on and off the field

Wouldn’t mind Beesley joining us if he’s going free

That statement is the biggest load of PR guff I've heard. The player's version is likely to be much more accurate. I also reckon they'll sink like a stone.

Always enjoyed our trips to Bradford PA, I hope they've got enough points to stay up, as I can't see them winning many more over the remainder of the season.

Darlopartisan wrote:Wouldn’t mind Beesley joining us if he’s going free

Sounds like it’s sale only .
Wonder if it includes the manager.

I'll bet Bower won't be there next season. Looks like he was hoping to strengthen rather than put players up for grabs. The owner has put in seven figures over the past three seasons but says they will have to be more sustainable going forward as they were facing a big deficit this season.

Would happily have Bower in charge here next season....

*Removes pin, throws grenade, runs away.*

We'd all assumed he'd done it on a shoestring. Apparently not. Be interesting to see how he does with a budget cut.

HarryCharltonsCat wrote:We'd all assumed he'd done it on a shoestring.

No we all hadn't.

I think they've had a good, rather than spectacular, budget. Certainly they couldn't hang on to Adam Boyes last summer when he heard the Spendy vibes. But they've struggled badly to get more people through the turnstiles, even with two very good seasons being challengers.

On January 19 they had a crowd of 373 for a home match with Blyth... when you look at home support of 300 for a team in the play-off picture and not long ago top of the league, you can see the problem.

Our scouts should be all over this, do we have scouts?

I don't think these players will be available on a free loan basis.

Keeper has gone to Altringham tonight

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I thought Lewis Knight was their stand our player when we played them at Horsfall. Young, skilful, strong and pacey winger. Former Leeds youth. Definitely worth a look.

LOL does no one get it, we have no money to sign anyone.

Tapping up for next season

Another of the players to have left the club has said on Facebook that the message the players got was that the club doesn't want to get promoted, presumably because they just can't afford it. He then deleted the post. I can imagine there would have to be a stack of work at that ground and the prospect of trips to Dover and the like probably fills them with dread.

OnTheTerraces wrote:Our scouts should be all over this, do we have scouts?

Some of our ball boys might be?

Lolol ... good one that

LoidLucan wrote:Another of the players to have left the club has said on Facebook that the message the players got was that the club doesn't want to get promoted, presumably because they just can't afford it. He then deleted the post. I can imagine there would have to be a stack of work at that ground and the prospect of trips to Dover and the like probably fills them with dread.

Some northern league clubs will probably do similiar,
Start flogging squad as they look food for been promoted

Darlo_Pete wrote:Always enjoyed our trips to Bradford PA, I hope they've got enough points to stay up, as I can't see them winning many more over the remainder of the season.

Only way they’ll go down is if they get a points deduction. No way the tally required to stay up will be higher than last season, and no way BPA dont pick up at least another 5-6 points

Could just be an important game for BPA on 19th April... and for us!?

They're not going down, as someone has said, they only need a handful of a points.

Shame they didn't want this fire sale in the summer. They certainly have a few players who would help us out no end. The only possibility might be if they release players, or tell them they're free to go at the seasons end (so we can get them signed up for next year).

I'd err on the side of the player who said the club don't want to get promoted. They don't have the money or set up for the national, and would have to spend a lot more than promotion is worth. Of course, that's not really fair on the players, or the few fans that they do have, but such is life in the lower reaches.

Emdubya wrote:

Darlopartisan wrote:Wouldn’t mind Beesley joining us if he’s going free

Sounds like it’s sale only .
Wonder if it includes the manager.

Isn't Beesley on loan from Salford?

They’re trimming their squad and replacing with loanees...sensible move

LoidLucan wrote:Another of the players to have left the club has said on Facebook that the message the players got was that the club doesn't want to get promoted, presumably because they just can't afford it. He then deleted the post. I can imagine there would have to be a stack of work at that ground and the prospect of trips to Dover and the like probably fills them with dread.

Not the first time I've heard this tactic at a club, although not publicly as in this case. As others have mentioned, the Northern League springs to mind and a few years ago I know the owners at Bromley built their club up on this plan - got to the National South, then each season would get enough points on the board in the first half of the season before falling away (quite dramatically) after Christmas. However they have now got the resources and infrastructure to have a crack at the National League where they currently are now and are holding their own.

I imagine they could get into a lot of trouble if they are intentionally making changes to lose some games, no wonder that those player comments disappeared so quickly.

Makka Pakka wrote:I imagine they could get into a lot of trouble if they are intentionally making changes to lose some games, no wonder that those player comments disappeared so quickly.

How can you punish a side for selling / releasing players to avoid making losses?

That allegation could be laid at Darlington for selling Dtyche and at most clubs who sell players.

I know where you are coming from, but a loss making club have a perfect defence to such allegations.

It would be different perhaps if club were profitable, but even then, it's up to a club who they buy and srll

lo36789 wrote:

OnTheTerraces wrote:Our scouts should be all over this, do we have scouts?

Some of our ball boys might be?

Are they old enough to be scouts? Just cubs I would have thought.