BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have announced a new partnership with neighbours Bradford City Women.

The new partnership opens a strong pathway for both teams, with dual registrations and loan arrangements being an integral part of the partnership, allowing further development and experience for both teams.

It will also provide City’s female footballers with great opportunities in semi-professional football.

City Women will now be using Horsfall for their home fixtures, instead of their former ground, which was Eccleshill United’s Mitton Group Stadium.

Their first game at Horsfall will be on Sunday, February 27, when they host Norton & Stockton Ancients in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.

There will be a “pay what you want” scheme for the match, with tickets for the City Women’s fundraising raffle available, the first prize being a signed City Women’s shirt.

Avenue club secretary Calum Cullen, when discussing the partnership, said: “This is a brilliant agreement for both Bradford (Park Avenue) and Bradford City Women.

“We have been working on this deal for some time now, and throughout the talks I have been impressed with the professionalism and the planned progression of Bradford City Women.

“The fact that they are keen to play at Horsfall shows what a great set up we have here, and myself, Neal Asquith (Avenue Ladies manager), and the whole club are looking forward to seeing the partnership develop.”

City manager Chris Hames said: “Horsfall is an historic ground that in recent years has undergone great development to become one of the primary facilities in the region, let alone Bradford.

“That mirrors our ambition, we want to reflect off the pitch the same ambitions we have on it, and take this club onwards.

“I’m looking forward to setting up a base here, creating a following here, and commencing this new chapter in the club’s progression.”