Bradford City icons helping Bradford (Park Avenue) this week

Bradford (Park Avenue) will be hosting Bishop Auckland in the Northern Premier League East Division on Saturday afternoon, where Terry Dolan will be their special guest.

He will be present in the club’s Hospitality Suite, and you can book to meet him via secretary@bpafc.com

Talented midfielder Dolan began his career as a teenager at Avenue, playing for them during their final season in the Football League.

He then left for Huddersfield Town, for whom he played in all of the top four divisions, before joining the Bantams in 1976.

Dolan played 195 league games for City, helping them to promotion from Division Four in 1976-77, then spending the 1980-81 campaign as club captain.

He then joined Rochdale briefly, before winding down his career at Brackley Town.

After retiring, Dolan took up a role coaching Bradford amateur side East Bowling Unity, before becoming youth coach at his former club City in January 1985.

Two years later, he took over as manager after the Bantams sacked Trevor Cherry, helping them avoid relegation from Division Two in 1986-87.

He came agonisingly close to leading them to promotion into the First Division in 1987-88, where they had not played for 66 years, but they came fourth then lost in the play-offs to Middlesbrough.

Dolan was sacked after a poor first half of the 1988-89 campaign, later managing Rochdale, York City, Hull City and Guiseley.

Another man with ties to both Bradford clubs is also doing Avenue a favour this weekend.

James Hanson trying to win the ball for Avenue ahead of two Liversedge defenders in August, just weeks before his retirement. (Image: John Rhodes.)

Tomorrow night, the club’s development fund are holding a Sportsman’s Evening at the Midland Hotel in Bradford, with James Hanson having been named as the guest speaker.

Hanson is the third highest-scorer in City’s history, while Avenue were his final club before he announced his retirement earlier this month.

The development fund evening, which will also feature a set from comedian Martin Gold, gets underway from 7pm, where they will be a raffle, three-course meal and an auction.

Held in partnership with A&G Wainwright Joiners and Contractors, the event is sponsored by Mr Scratchings, while all proceeds raised from the night will go towards the Development Fund at Avenue, which helps with player signings and the growth and support of the club.

You can still book your place for £40 per head or a table of 10 for £350.

To do so, please contact Dave Stordy on davestordy@hotmail.co.uk or 01274 512989.