After 352 appearances in Argentina and England's biggest leagues, Argentinian midfielder Julio Arca has found his way to Horsfall Stadium, on a part-time contract.

Arca retired from professional football way back in 2013, when his contract at Championship side Middlesbrough expired. He was aged 32 upon his retirement.

But that wasn't completely the end for the former Argentina Under-20 international, as he went on to join Willow Pond FC, a second-division pub side in the Sunderland Sunday League. He made three appearances for Willow Pond before joining Sunderland's coaching staff at The Stadium of Light in July 2015.

That role was short-lived for Arca, though, as in September 4th 2015, Arca agreed to join Northern League Division Two side South Shields.

He scored on his debut for the club, in a 1-1 draw with Stokesley Sports Club at Mariners Park. He later netted a superb goal against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion as the Mariners won 4-0 in front of a crowd of 1,045, while his third goal for South Shields came when he notched a trademark free-kick in a 4-0 victory at Esh Winning.

Arca was the captain of the Argentina Youth Team which featured players like Javier Saviola, Nicolás Burdisso and Maxi Rodríguez in the same squad.

But as his contract with South Shields was only on non-contract basis, any team could pick up the midfielder at any time they wanted. Bradford Park Avenue's manager, Adam Chabukiani was the first to pick up on this following an extensive report given by his Chief Scout, Kenny Lindoe.

His arrival comes just after Avenue's 1-0 away win against 19th placed Worcester City.

Arca was a much needed new face at Horsfall Stadium, according to his new manager Chabukiani in his welcoming press conference, which Bradford PA's Twitter account used the hashtag of #WelcomeArca upon updating news relating to Arca's arrival.

"Julio [Arca] is just what we've needed for a while in this team," Chabukiani said to Bradford Telegraph & Argus. "Myself and Kenny [Lindoe, Chief Scout] realised that Potts and Marshall were inevitably going to tire after playing in nearly every single game this season, we needed a new face in midfield and thank god it's Arca - this man is a wonderful player."

The 34-year-old Argentinian joins until the end of the season, earning £200 per week - making Arca the highest-paid player in the Bradford Park Avenue ranks.

For Christmas, my players decided to give me the gift of an unbeaten December, as we didn't lose a single match for the whole month. After quite a rocky start, we have begun to gain a lot more consistency lately, and that has become obvious in our results this month.

Fixtures

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1/12/2015
Aggborough | Att. 513
National League North
WORCESTER CITY 0,
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1 (Fletcher 9).

WCFC: Simpson, Spencer, Thomas (Weir), Sharpe, Jackman, Deeney (Dunkley), Geddes, Gordon, Parry, Harrad, Burton (Nti)

BPA: Liversedge (Stewart), Greaves (Turner), Ainge, Piwowarczyk, Wilkinson, Potts (Wylde), Marshall, McCarthy, Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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5/12/2015
Horsfall Stadium | Att. 381
National League North
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 (Piwowarczyk 22 Fletcher 53),
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0.

BPA: Liversedge, Greaves, Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Wylde), Wilkinson (Holt), Marshall (Potts), Arca, McCarthy, Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

SCFC: McMillan, Wylie (Crawley), Hughes (Johnson), Shaw, Aird, Chalmers, Wright, Caines, McKenna, Chippendale, Simm

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8/12/2015
Victory Park | Att. 1,149
National League North
CHORLEY FC 1 (Simpson 20),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1 (King 73).

CFC: Andrews, Simpson, Dean (Sheridan), Charnock, Dodd, Roscoe, Bond, Whitham, Adams, Guy, Hine (Stephenson)

BPA: Liversedge, Wilkinson, Ainge (Wylde), Piwowarczyk, Holt (Greaves), Marshall, Arca, McCarthy (King), Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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19/12/2015
Holloways Park | Att. 169
F.A. Trophy 1st Round
SLOUGH TOWN 0,
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 3 (Pepper 13 Fletcher 45 Hallahan 69).

STFC: Williams, Darville, Foulser, MacDonald, Pearson, Martin, Webb, Sear (Webb), Davisson, Mpi, Smith (Harris)

BPA: Liversedge, Greaves, Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Wylde), Wilkinson, Marshall (King), Arca, McCarthy (Potts), Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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22/12/2015
North Street | Att. 639
National League North
ALFRETON TOWN 1 (Ferguson 50),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1 (Fletcher 17).

ATFC: Draper, Paling, Berry, Heaton, Allan (Jordan), Bradley, Crookes, Ferguson (Thanoj), Johnston, Robertson, Reid

BPA: Liversedge, Greaves (Turner), Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Wylde), Wilkinson, Marshall, Arca, McCarthy (King), Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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28/12/2015
Grange Lane | Att. 372
National League North
NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 2 (Fry 43 Denton 68),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 (McCarthy 23 Hallahan 39).

NFU: Nicklin, Plews, Hone, Palmer, Davie, Emerton, Bolder (King), Fry, Kamaneno, Bateson, Kendall (Denton)

BPA: Liversedge, Greaves (Turner), Ainge, Piwowarczyk, Wilkinson, Marshall (Wylde), Arca, McCarthy, Pepper (Potts), Hallahan, Fletcher

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As you can see, we have risen from life outside of the playoff spots to take fourth place, with at least one game in hand on every team above us. This month the league leaders have not changed, though, with Fylde still leading the pack at the top of the hill. We sit six points behind them with a game in hand.

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This month, the Player of the Month for December and the final one of 2015 goes to Kasjusz Piwowarczyk, who has played in various positions this season in the centre of the field, from centre-back to centre-midfield. Along with his versatility comes the Poles' ability, and with youth in favour of the 22-year-old kid, there's plenty more to come from Kasjusz.

Still going strong! Even at 34, Julio Arca is a massive capture for the club. Hopefully his experience can help guide BPA to promotion!

2015-12-13 05:07#223015 C.J.Lippo : Still going strong! Even at 34, Julio Arca is a massive capture for the club. Hopefully his experience can help guide BPA to promotion!

Absolutely, I was really surprised to see him playing at that low of a level at South Shields so lets see what he can do for us

Bradford Park Avenue striker James Walshaw has left Horsfall Stadium for Alfreton Town's North Street in a £3,500 move, with four other players following him out of the door at Cemetery Road.

Walshaw joined this summer under Martin Drury's short-lived reign at Horsfall Stadium after impressive goalscoring records at Harrogate Town and Altrincham in recent seasons, including 29 goals in 42 games in the 2013/14 season.

Under Adam Chabukiani the striker has been a lot more restricted in terms of his appearances, and he hasn't even started a game under the Georgian's regime at the club, with new signing Matthew Fletcher stealing the number nine spot away from the 31-year-old.

The striker has yet to score a goal this season, possibly down to the six substitute appearances he has made over the course of this season.

But Walshaw isn't the only player to head out of the door this season for Avenue as first-team players like Warren Bentley and Richard Marshall have cut their contracts six months short as they have been released by Chabukiani.

Under-21 players like Ryan Qualter, who spent all this season on loan to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League side Scarborough Athletic and 29-year-old Paul Walker, who also spent all this season on loan at Farsley have both had their contracts at Bradford Park Avenue terminated and are free to look for a new club.

A few more departures from Horsfall Stadium are expected, with players like Nathan Turner and Michael Wylde reportedly unsettled at the West Yorkshire side.

But on the other side of the transfer news, a few more arrivals are expected to join the club, with former Arsenal graduates Andre Blackman, who played for Blackpool last season and Sanchez Watt, who played in India for Kerala Blasters earlier this season rumoured to be in talks with Adam Chabukiani and other club officials.

It is clear to everyone that the squad needs another striker to fill the vacancy left behind by Walshaw and Bentley's departure, so that may be another one for Kenny Lindoe and Chabukiani to get involved in.

5 January 2016

"Good evening, Marcel," I greeted the striker.

Myself and former Stoke City graduate Marcel Barrington had both agreed a deal in principle to bring him to Horsfall Stadium on a free transfer following the departures of Warren Bentley and James Walshaw.

"'Evening, Mr Chabukiani," he smiled.

We were both sat in the same pub that I sat in just under six years ago when my predecessor John Deacey decided to instate me as his assistant manager, which you could argue put me where I am now as the top man in the club.

"I have some good memories of this place, you know," I recalled, looking around me at the wooden walls of the old pub. "I hope this is another good one," I smiled back at Barrington.

"It certainly should be, I'm dying to get back playing again," he replied to my implication that I hoped he would sign on with the club.

"Now we're talking, my lad," I laughed, taking a sip of my lager which sat on the table.

"So what's your aims for the team, Adam," he asked.

I had to think for a few seconds, surprisingly, to answer this question. I almost forgot what I wanted to do with this team!

"Well, we want to get out of this league we're in now,"

"By promotion, I presume!" Barrington laughed.

"Haha! Of course, we're going to bring in a few more signings in, we're looking at Sanchez Watt and we've contacted his representatives who are coming down tomorrow, by which time I'm hoping you will have signed for us," I looked over at Barrington, giving him a sly wink.

"Sanchez Watt, you say?" Marcel said, going back in his memory to recall any memory of the name Sanchez Watt. "The Arsenal lad? Good player, him."

Well that was my ticket, sign up Watt and you're signing up Barrington.

"Yeah, we'll bring in Sanchez, and you'll be up top banging them in, won't you?" I said to Barrington.

"Hmm," Barrington studied my face, before looking down at the sheet of the paper I had slid over the table towards him. "Sure, give me a pen," he said, effectively confirming the deal had been done.

"Good lad," I said to him while delving into my pocket for my pen. Signing number one, I thought to myself.

Bradford Park Avenue's business in the January transfer window seems to be done and dusted in a very neat fashion, snapping up two former Arsenal graduates and letting go of two first-team players.

With the transfer of former Stoke City graduate striker Marcel Barrington being confirmed by the club earlier this week, Adam Chabukiani has decided to add two more players to his first-team squad in a quickfire move.

The first signing is Sanchez Watt, who spent the first part of this season under contract of Indian top-flight side Kerala Blasters. He made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Indian team, scoring two goals in the six months he spent there.

He joins on a free transfer following his release from that club, under contract with Bradford Park Avenue until the summer of 2017. The winger said he was 'delighted' to have joined the ranks at Horsfall Stadium, and can't wait to get started at the club.

The other arrival at Horsfall Stadium is left-back Andre Blackman. Following the mismanagement of Karl Oyston at Blackpool, they were forced to go cheap at left-back, bringing in Maidenhead United full-back Blackman to their playing squad.

The 25-year-old only made three appearances as The Tangerines fell to a last placed spot in the Championship and were relegated to League One. He played in the same youth squad as fellow arrival Sanchez Watt did over at Arsenal in 2006.

In terms of departures, unsettled duo Michael Wylde has left the club on a free transfer to fellow National League North side Stalybridge Celtic. Young Nathan Turner has also left the club for a tidy fee of £10,000 to Halifax FC in the National League Conference. He played nine games for Avenue this season.

These two departures take Bradford Park Avenue's income from transfers up to £13,500 after James Walshaw's sale to Alfreton earlier this winter. They have spent no money in return apart from signing on fees and wages.

Just got caught up on this again. Great progress in the league! Unlucky with the game against Tranmere but at least you got your attendance up over 1000 which will do wonders for the club's finances

Still strong on the table reaching for the play-off positions after October, well done

And amazing updates on the fight against the racist guy, and with Ryan Giggs. Looks like a nice offer, but I'm enjoying a lot what you're doing in Bradford PA.

Just catch up with the story.
The transfers look very nice, I hope it's a real improvment on the team to help you reach the promotion.
And you're doing amazing on the championship. This definitely looks like a very close fight for those top spots, good luck to get yours

Great read, as always man.

joshleedsfan: Exactly, can only help the cash inflow which is very important at this level

Murtagh: Proud you've finally got up to speed And yeah, I hope to keep up the consistency!

Formisall: Thanks man

As we arrive into the new year of 2016, the new signings have obviously began to shape a new dimension to my team in the Winter, and players like Sanchez Watt have already stamped their mark on the squad with two goals this month. The month began in Manchester as we took on FC United at Broadhurst Park in front of a stunning 2,000+ crowd. We were knocked out of our last remaining cup in the F.A. Trophy 2nd Round against fellow National League North side North Ferriby United.

Fixtures

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2/1/2016
Broadhurst Park | Att. 2,436
National League North
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 1 (Wolfenden 4),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1 (Fletcher 33).

FCUM: King, Stott, Ashworth, Lynch, Lewis (Knowles), Cooke, Murray, Brown, Logan, Daniels (Walwyn), Wolfenden

BPA: Liversedge, Greaves, Ainge, Piwowarczyk, Wilkinson, Marshall (Potts), Arca, McCarthy (Walshaw), Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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16/1/2016
Horsfall Stadium | Att. 382
National League North
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 3 (Pepper 19 Marshall 32 Arca (pen) 48),
BOSTON UNITED 2 (Southwell 26 Friend 86).

BPA: Liversedge, Wilkinson (Greaves), Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Wylde), Blackman, Marshall, Arca, Watt, Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher (Barrington)

BUFC: Alexander, Roberts (Deacey), Stone, Piergianni, Roberts (Pooley), Quansah, Garner, Dixon, Felix (Friend), Walker, Southwell

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19/1/2016
Horsfall Stadium | Att. 340
National League North
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 4 (Ainge 14 Fletcher 28 Piwowarczyk 36 Watt 38),
NUNEATON TOWN 0.

BPA: Liversedge, Wilkinson, Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Greaves), Blackman, Marshall, Arca, Watt, Pepper, Hallahan (McCarthy), Fletcher (Barrington)

NTFC: Smith, Maguire, Lane, Mills (Keane), Adebayo-Rowling, Reid, Whitehouse, Morgan, Byrne, Harewood (Williams), Daniels (Keane)

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23/1/2016
Grange Lane | Att. 336
F.A. Trophy Second Round
NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 2 (Bateson 28 Fry 38),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 0.

NFU: Nicklin, Plews, Hone, Palmer (King), Kamaneno, Emerton, Bolder, Hotte, Fry, Bateson (Denton), Kendall

BPA: Liversedge, Wilkinson (Greaves), Ainge, Piwowarczyk, Blackman, Marshall (Potts), Arca, McCarthy, Pepper (Barrington), Watt, Fletcher

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27/1/2016
Horsfall Stadium | Att. 370
National League North
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 (Fletcher 28, 83),
CHORLEY FC 0.

BPA: Liversedge (Stewart), Wilkinson, Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Wylde), Blackman, Marshall (Potts), Arca, Watt, Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

CFC: Andrews, Simpson, Teague, Charnock, Dodd, Bond, Whitham, Roscoe (Hine), Cottrell, Jarvis (Sheridan), Stephenson (Guy)

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30/1/2016
The Northolme | Att. 212
National League North
GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2 (Newsham 36 Stinson 63),
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 2 (Watt 23 Arca 93).

GTFC: Emery, Wilson, Byrne, Picton, Davis (Quinn), Drury, D'Laryea (Brogan), Jeffery, Russell, Newsham (Forrest), Stinson

BPA: Liversedge, Wilkinson (Greaves), Ainge, Piwowarczyk (Holt), Blackman, Marshall Potts), Arca, Watt, Pepper, Hallahan, Fletcher

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Following a good run of results, we find ourselves one place above last month in 3rd place as we enter 2016. We picked up a total of eleven points over the month's proceedings and we go into February with the opportunity to go top of the league table due to our two games in hand on 1st place AFC Fylde on 53 points.

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Once again, the Player of the Month goes to our star striker Matthew Fletcher following some great displays up top for us. He has finally got some good competition for his number nine spot in my team as we agreed to sign Marcel Barrington following his release from Stoke. Fletcher wins the first PotM for 2016 with four goals in six games for Avenue.

Decent month results wise, and good to see you fighting in the playoff spots. Good update.

Sanchez Wat!!! KeralA Blaster's gem. It is my local team and he is a great superstar in Kerala and Kochi