Christmas is just around the corner, and so are three big West Yorkshire derby clashes for Emley, starting with a Friday night, top of the table clash with Bradford (Park Avenue) this week (7.45pm)

It's a clash that pits second placed Emley against fourth place Avenue in the Northern Premier League Division One East with both sides in fairly decent form going into the Christmas and New Year period.

Emley have only lost 1 in the last 9 in the league and Bradford have lost only twice in their last 14 in all competitions, Emley's 1-0 win over Blyth Town last weekend was a third straight home win without conceding and our 6th win in our last 7 league games.

Avenue's last 2 defeats have come away from home and their last away game saw them draw at Lincoln United, Emley fans will be hoping for a repeat of this fixture from last season which saw the Pewits run out 3-1 winners, the away game last season and this season both ended in draws at Horsfall.

WHO ARE THEY?
Bradford (Park Avenue)'s history is a long and interesting one, as is football in Bradford generally, founded in 1907 after Bradford FC abandoned rugby to play Association football, the remaining minority of the rugby side then formed Bradford Northern, now known as Bradford Bulls. the Park Avenue suffix was added to avoid confusion with Bradford City (who also switched from Rugby).

They were members of the football league, (originally taking Fulham's place in the Southern league), until 1970, where they dropped down to the NPL before disbanding in 1974, they were then reincarnated in 1987, playing in the Central Midlands and North West Counties leagues before rejoining the NPL in 1996, they played at National league level for 10 seasons before 2 relegations in 22/23 and 23/24 saw them back in the NPL last season for the first time since 2008 where they finished 10th in 2024/25.

LAST TIME WE MET:
12th August 2025, NPL D1 East
Bradford PA1-1 Emley (Sorhaindo) Att- 494.

LAST TIME OUT:
Emley 1-0 Blyth Town (Lindley) NPL D1 E, Att- 295
Lincoln Utd 1-1 Bradford PA (Carver) Att- 263

HEAD TO HEAD

Previous meetings:

8th February 2025, NPL D1 E
EML 3-1 BPA (Lindley, B.Rodrigues, Sorhaindo), Att- 564

22nd October 2024, NPL D1 E
BPA 0-0 EML, Att- 486

29th November 2000, NPL Cup
BPA 3-2 EML (Bambrook, Bradshaw) Att- 157

13th September 1999, NPL Cup
EML 0-0 BPA, Att- 240

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: W, W, L, W, L
BPA: D, W, W, W, D
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
EML: 2/22
BPA: 4/22
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 38
BPA: 45
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 27
BPA: 25
TOP SCORER:
EML: Manasse Mampala (7)
BPA: Marcus Carver (12)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 361 (361 league)
BPA: 326 (359 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Friday 19th December 7.45pm
Gates open 6pm

WHERE?
The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Off Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?
£10 Adults
£8 Concessions
£1 ages 5-11
U5's FREE
Programmes £2

NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a lead - see visitor's guide for restrictions

Please respect local residents and park safely and responsibly around the village!!