After 15 years as coach and manager of Bradford (Park Avenue) Ladies, Neal Asquith has decided that it is time for the club to have a “freshen-up” and he will be stepping down.

Asquith said: “When I first joined the club, we had a core of eight players, playing on pitches that were unsuitable for anybody to play on.

“It was always my aim to leave the club in a better place than when I joined.

“I wanted to leave it in somebody's hands that could push the club on.

“I believe that is the case now in that position with over 22 solid players that play on the best pitch in the West Riding leagues.

“I would like to thank everybody who has been involved in the past 15 years, it couldn't have been done without you.”

Avenue’s recent presentation evening at the Dog and Gun in Wibsey was a double event, as it also included the awards for the previous season.

The top goalscorer was Kirsty Russell-Holt, with Annie Roberts taking a hat-trick of awards, Coaches’ Player, Manager’s Player and Players’ Player of the 2021-22 season.

Turning to the season just gone, skipper Jade Nelson provided the most assists, and missed out by just the one goal to the eventual top scorer, Millie West.

The Most Improved award went to new player Abbie Whitehead.

The Coaches’ Player, the Manager’s Player and Players’ Player of Season 2022–23 was Bethany Vickers.

This season, Avenue will join Brighouse Sports, Silsden, Skipton Town and Thackley in a 10-team Premier Division in the West Riding Women’s County Football League.

Silsden’s magnificent run of nine straight wins in the second half of last season propelled them into a third-place finish in County First, which has resulted in promotion to the Premier Division.

Silsden entertain AFC Oldham this coming Sunday, at the start of a full programme of pre-season friendlies that includes an away match against Colne on July 18.

Skipton Town have a busy few weeks coming up.

This afternoon, Skipton once again represent Venue Sports & Music Bar in the regional heats of the Pub Cup, to take place at Platt Hall Complex, Manchester.

On July 16, Skipton are taking on the 24½ miles of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk, raising money for SELFA — a local charity who nurture and support disadvantaged children through enriching experiences to enable them to be the best they can be.

Details and donations via the following link: https://gofund.me/a1360655.

In other news, Skipton Town Firsts’ Bethany Bancroft was not only top scorer for her team, but also top scorer in the First Division.

Thackley’s first pre-season friendly was at home to the recently-renamed Bury FC Women.

After only one minute, a defensive mix-up in the Bury goalmouth saw the ball land at the feet of Thackley’s Lois Cooper, who turned it into an empty net from six yards out.

A closely-fought game saw Bury have chances of their own, but Thackley’s defence and goalkeeper Katie Bailey played well to nullify any threat.

On 37 minutes, Thackley were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. Up stepped Loz Tate to take the free kick, and she hit an effort into the far top corner to extend the Dennygirls’ lead against the Shakers.

The second half saw no further goals but a good 2-0 win against a team who have just won their division to now play at the same level as Bradford City Women (the North East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division).

Incidentally, Bury entertain the female Bantams in a future friendly, on July 16 at Gigg Lane.

Thackley are at home to Farsley Celtic Women that day, followed by Altofts on July 23, and Silsden on July 30.