Bradford (Park Avenue) sack Danny Whitaker after grim defeat

Whitaker was appointed in December 2023 following the dismissal of long-serving boss Mark Bower a month prior, but while he has worked hard on the first team and academy operation off the field, he has not been delivering results in the dugout.

The first team were relegated for a second successive season back in April, dropping to their lowest level in the football pyramid since 2007-08, and while Whitaker was given a chance to prove himself at the start of this term, Avenue have continued to struggle.

They have not won in the league since their opening game, where they beat North Ferriby 1-0, and also fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup, losing 3-2 to Stocksbridge Park Steels at Horsfall Stadium in the preliminary round.

The final straw came after a ghastly 4-1 home defeat to Liversedge on Bank Holiday Monday, in which Avenue were thoroughly outplayed.

Substitutes Ben Whelan and James Hanson were unable to turn the tables when they came on on Monday, as Avenue suffered a humbling defeat. (Image: John Rhodes.)

That display clearly left Whitaker’s position untenable and announcing his sacking yesterday evening, Avenue said: “Following relegation, the primary objective is to get promotion and give you, our loyal supporters, success for the first team.

“The board believe action is needed, now, to try and achieve our aim.

“Danny leaves the Horsfall Community Stadium with our best wishes for the future, and we’d like to thank him for his efforts.

“We would also like to thank everyone for their ongoing, unwavering, support during this difficult period.

“The recruitment process to appoint a successor has started and we will update our supporters when a new appointment has been made.”

Tom McStravick, the club’s sporting director, added: “I would like to thank Danny for all his hard work behind the scenes.

“Danny came in at a very difficult time for the club, so it was never going to be an easy task, and he leaves with our best wishes.”