Bradford united in progress bid (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bradford united in progress bid

BRADFORD on Avon youth have joined forces with Bradford Town in a bid to improve football in the area.

The youth side, who play in the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth League, will now be called Bradford Town Youth after officials from both clubs decided it was the best way forward.

Bradford Town's senior side have just won promotion into the Toolstation League First Division and it is hoped the amalgamation of the two sides will continue the improvement of football in Bradford.

Bradford Town manager Mark Hodkinson, said: "We felt we needed a youth set-up and having taken the girls on board last year we decided the kids were the next natural progression.

"It was important we forged closer links with the youth set-up in Bradford and by coming together hopefully both sides will benefit. There could some future Bradford Town stars in the youth ranks while we could give them a chance of playing senior football.

"When parents are looking for a senior side for their children to play for after youth football it will be great for them to know they are already linked to a Toolstation League side."

Hodkinson was meeting Wiltshire FA officials yesterday in an attempt to help Bradford Town achieve the national Charter Standard.

He said: "The youth set-up already had Charter Standard but we don't and it is something we all want and will be trying hard to get in the future.

"All this is part of us trying to push the club on. We are going to need floodlights and other improvements round the ground.

"Hopefully when people realise Bradford has come together to form one club it might attract the interest of more people in the area and we might start seeing even more people coming in through the gates."

Bradford on Avon Youth has over 300 members from the ages of 8-13.

Hodkinson said: "This move is a big bonus for everyone. It was the obvious step and one which all agreed was the right one."