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Adam Chabukiani: Defying All Odds

The story of a young Georgian refugee, born through the chaos of the Abkhazia War to find his feet in the footballing world.
Started on 5 October 2015 by Jack
Latest Reply on 5 July 2019 by Justice
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Great to have you back man! Can't wait to see what's in store!




This month we started our fixtures against debt-ravaged team Bolton Wanderers as we won 2-1 with Ben Blackmore and Samed Yesil netting the goals for us at the Macron Stadium. We went goal-crazy against promotion rivals Stevenage as we nearly let a three-goal lead slip, winning 4-3 at the Broadhall Way stadium. We have also exceeded our expectations in the FA Cup as Quorn AFC took us to a replay in which they were beaten 4-0 at the Horsfall.

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LEAGUE TABLE



Since last month we have picked up six points more, moving us one place up from October's fourth place. This means we are level on points with third placed Exeter City, who currently hold the final automatic promotion spot in League Two, and one point away from second placed Northampton Town. On the other side of the coin is the fact that we are potentially only a loss away from completely slipping out of the Play-Offs. We will also play Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup 2nd Round.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH



Jack Hallahan wins our Player of the Month award for November with some immense performances. The winger played four games this month, scoring four goals and assisting twice after a spellbounding set of games.


Chabukiani To Look For New Faces




A close source within the Bradford Park Avenue scene has told us that Adam Chabukiani will use the upcoming January transfer window to bolster his current team.

Despite rumours circulating about Chabukiani's younger players such as Alex Fletcher and Lewis Bennett being followed by Southampton and Birmingham bosses, the club insist that getting players in will be their main aim this winter window.

With the transfer window approaching quickly, the distinctive phase of transfer rumours have, as always, been doing the rounds.

With the current squad average age being 20.8 years old, Bradford Park Avenue boss Chabukiani has asserted fans that a few more experienced heads will come through the door in the New Year.

Mikael Forssell has been in talks with the League Two club in recent weeks to discuss a potential move back into the Football League. The Finnish poacher made his name in England after a move to Chelsea, with his most successful season being on loan to then-Premier League outfit Birmingham City as he scored 17 goals in 32 games in the top-flight.

Forssell made his move to Birmingham City permanent the following season for £3,100,000 but never had the impact that his first season at St. Andrews. A move to Hannover in 2008 saw Forssell fade away into the long list of one-season wonders in England. A move back to England in 2011 could have been his great revival as he joined Leeds United, but it wasn't to be as the striker failed to score a single goal in 15 games.

In 2013, Forssell rejoined his former club Helsinki in Finland and for the first time in almost ten years, was back on track with 14 goals in 27 games. Several moves across Germany including Bochum, Karlsruher and Chemnitzer all ended in failure.

Forssell, now 36 years old, is reportedly in the finalising stages of his move back to England as Chabukiani looks to give the veteran a final chance in the English game over at Horsfall Stadium.

Rumours are also flying around that Bradford Park Avenue scouts have been compiling reports on former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Oscar Gobern and Manchester City youth graduate Godsway Donyoh who was released by The Citizens earlier this year.



Bradford Park Avenue Snap Up Forssell



After weeks of contractual discussions between the two parties, Finnish international legend Mikael Forssell has finalised his move to Bradford Park Avenue.

After a six-year exile from the British Isles, Forssell has agreed to join Bradford Park Avenue in his first move to England since 2012, when he was playing for fellow Yorkshire outfit Leeds United.

The striker has become a hero over in his nation of Finland, despite being born in Steinfurt, Germany. The former Birmingham poacher made 87 appearances for his national team, scoring 29 goals and earning legend status for the country in the process.

Following his one great season on loan at Birmingham, Forssell's career has taken a downturn, signing and flopping for the likes of Hannover, Leeds United and VfL Bochum. However, a recent spell at Veikkausliiga powerhouse Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi saw Forssell regain his long-lost form and become a great reason why his boyhood team won the Finnish league titles in both 2013 and 2014.

But now at 36 and arriving off the back of short spells at Bochum, Karlsruhe and Chemnitzer in the German lower leagues, the 2017/18 season could be one of Forssell's last as he turns 37 years old in March.

With a youthful attacking force of Jack Hallahan, John Abubakar, Samed Yesil and Matthew Fletcher, the arrival of veteran Mikael Forssell is really something new for Bradford Park Avenue as he is set to leapfrog academy graduate Alex Fletcher onto the bench at Horsfall Stadium.

Forssell could see himself making his debut earlier than expected, though with star striker Matthew Fletcher sidelined for two weeks with a thigh strain.

Due to Forssell's lack of fitness, Bradford's fitness coach Kwaku Agyemang will take the new man on an intensive fitness course to tone the 36-year-old up to improve his accessibility back in the English game.
Risky signing considering his goalscoring record in England. Hope it pays off for you though man!




Appalling is the only word to describe our last month of 2017. Absolutely appalling. I won't deny that the month began decently with three points against York City, however the fact that no more wins came after that throughout the whole month for me, is absolutely shambolic for a team that were edging towards the automatic promotion spots just last month.

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Just last month, we were one point away from 2nd place and a healthy lead in the automatic promotion race. Now, we are just two points away from slipping down into 12th place - midtable. We were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wycombe Wanderers, meaning we have no further part in domestic competitions.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH



In what was a shockingly poor month, only one dim light shone out in the surrounding darkness. That man was Nathaniel Oseni, who has rarely played any part in this season's first-team affairs. But in December he played in every single match, which must be uncomfortable having to get back into the stride of tough competitive football, but he performed well alongside the likes of Kasjusz Piwowarczyk and Joel Lynch throughout this month.
Man! Absolutely horrible month! Sure you'll be able to turn it around though mate. :)

Just out of interest, how long does it take you to do all your graphics? They look great but I'm guessing its quite time consuming?



Bradford Bring In Six



It has been a busy day over at Horsfall Stadium as Bradford Park Avenue have signed up six new players with the transfer window opening today.

Following Mikael Forssell's late arrival in early December, just before the free transfer window shut, Bradford PA failed to sign all of their targets before the deadline.

Arriving on pre-contract deals, the bunch of players will bring a much-needed freshener to the current squad, with many high-level players making the drop down to League Two as Adam Chabukiani pushes for a promotion spot this campaign.

Backed with summer money from sales like Sanchez Watt and Charles Dunne, it's fairly easy to see where the funding has come from for the spree of talent arriving in West Yorkshire today.

The first to come through the door was Oscar Gobern (pictured), the former Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers star. Since arriving at Loftus Road on a free transfer from Huddersfield in 2015, Gobern failed to make an impact on the London club, with his Doncaster Rovers loan spell his only real memory under contract there.

Gobern was released by QPR at the end of last season. He will wear the number twenty-two for Bradford Park Avenue.

Secondly, former Manchester City graduate Godsway Donyoh has joined Bradford PA on a free transfer today. The Ghanaian was released by Manchester City last June with no first-team appearances, but three loan spells over in Sweden - two with Falkenbergs FF and one with Djurgarden IF, which both proved to be a surprising success in the Swedish top-flight.

This stemmed from his arrival from Ghana-based 'Right To Dream Academy', his former academy before joining Manchester City. Donyoh will wear the number fifteen for Bradford Park Avenue.

In a transfer which caught many off-guard, Julien Vercauteren was snapped up by Bradford PA this winter. The 24-year-old winger has spent all of his career either in the top-flight of Belgium with Lierse SK, or in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, Championnat National C with their reserves, and a loan spell at Championnat National side Chateauroux.

With no previous history in English football, many didn't see this one coming before it was announced by the club. Vercauteren will wear the number nineteen for Bradford Park Avenue.



Another player catching fans off-guard is the signing of Vladimir Kovac. The Slovakian full-back was released by 1860 Munchen this summer after spending the majority of his career playing in their reserve squad, Munchen Lions II. At 26 years of age, Kovac is expected to offer some helpful experience to a youthful Bradford back line.

Kovac will play in the number fourteen shirt for Bradford Park Avenue.

A more familiar face in the shape of Stephen Ward was met with much more recognition than other signings at Horsfall Stadium, with the Ireland international completing a two-year deal with the West Yorkshire club.

Ward has not been able to find a club since the decision to not renew his deal over at Burnley last season, but with Anthony Breslin uncovered at left-back, Chabukiani has realised the benefits of snapping up Ward. The 32-year-old will wear the number thirteen shirt for Bradford Park Avenue.

Finally, Bradford Park Avenue have their first ever Champions League winner in their ranks in the form of former Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull. With Myles Wright dipping in form and Bailey Peacock-Farrell's transfer request, a move for another back-up keeper was made necessary for manager Adam Chabukiani. He picked Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and Europa League winner Turnbull to be his man.

Although as unglamorous as the former Barnsley and Leeds United man was to be a holder of those winners medals, he is still undoubtedly handy at this level of football and will put on a good show when told to. The new goalie will play in the number twenty-five shirt.

In terms of backroom staff, Bradford Park Avenue have welcomed two new development team managers in Alan Dunne (U18s) and Michael Ratajczak (U21s) to replace the departing Chib Chilaka and Danny White. Italian coach Giorgio Gatti has also arrived at the club, as well as a new scout in Marcus Tudgay.

Bids have come in for wonderkids Lewis Bennett - now on loan at Halifax Town - and Alex Fletcher from AFC Bournemouth and Brentford respectively. Adam Pepper and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, a duo that have been exiled from first-team affairs for a while now have had their transfer requests accepted and they look to be on the move away from Horsfall Stadium sooner or later.



Fletcher Scores Century Goal



On the 11th August 2015, Matthew Fletcher scored his first competitive goal for Bradford Park Avenue against Stalybridge Celtic. The rest is history.

Adam Chabukiani had struck gold when he snapped up Aussie poacher Matthew Fletcher on a free transfer on 19th July 2015.

With Fletcher the lone striker in the Vanarama National League North days, the striker knocked in 41 goals in all competitions, 38 coming in the league and leading Bradford Park Avenue to ultimate promotion.

From one goal-rich season to the next, the step up in leagues did not hold the Australian back as he hit his league goals into the thirties once again in the the 2016/17 season, with 32 goals in 48 games. The boy was on fire.

Fletcher had been dropped by every single club he had gone to in his career. Sunderland. Oxford. Sheffield Wednesday. Hull. But Adam Chabukiani believed that this boy had it in him. That he had a point to prove to the other clubs and managers that had let him down, and by God did he prove that point.

We are now midway through Matthew Fletcher's third season as Bradford's main striker, and he is still banging in the goals. 20 league goals in 25 league appearances. 121 minutes per goal. 52% shot accuracy.

Fletcher bagged his 100th goal for Bradford Park Avenue in all competitions yesterday in a 3-1 win against promotion rivals Newport County. A penalty won by Godsway Donyoh was gobbled up by the Australian striker as he was mobbed by his teammates in celebration. Nobody had expected him to go this far. Strikers had been and gone at Horsfall Stadium - Bentley, Barrington, Allen - but Fletcher stayed. And rightly so.

It is now no surprise that he is the subject of £500,000 bids from various Championship teams, all rejected by his boss who believes his star man can go all the way. And as Matthew Fletcher bags more and more goals, the promotion chances of his team gets more and more realistic.
2016-03-28 01:52#227958 C.J.Lippo : Man! Absolutely horrible month! Sure you'll be able to turn it around though mate. :)

Just out of interest, how long does it take you to do all your graphics? They look great but I'm guessing its quite time consuming?
Absolutely gutted :( and the answer your question, it really depends on if I'm motivated enough to do it quickly, sometimes it's 10 minutes, others it's hours!
1



Bradford PA Finalise Gondo Transfer



In yet another surprising January move, Bradford Park Avenue have now looked over to Italy for their next man, as they snap up former ACF Fiorentina youth graduate Cedric Gondo on a free transfer.

As Samed Yesil was sent back to his parent club of Liverpool after what was a failed experiment for both parties, Adam Chabukiani opted to utilise his newly accessible scouting network to snap up 6'4" giant Cedric Gondo.

On Bradford's new coach Giorgio Gatti recommended that scout Sebastien Carole go over to Italy to watch this youngster, as Gatti - former Internazionale Under-18's manager - was a big fan.

In Italian trialist matches, Carole was impressed with what he saw and brought the Ivorian back to England for a trial, which turned out to be more than successful according to the gaffer Chabukiani.

Gondo will look to avoid the path that former loanee striker Samed Yesil took, as he returned to Liverpool with nine goals in thirty matches in League Two.

The 21-year-old striker is said to be strong, quick and a top finisher according to his new manager Adam Chabukiani, who claimed he is someone for the fans to get excited about.

Gondo will wear the number twelve shirt as he agrees to a deal running until June 2020 at Horsfall Stadium.

In other transfer news, John Clay has left on loan to Goole for the rest of the season, meanwhile Bailey Peacock-Farrell signs up with Harrogate Town for a fee of £22,000. Adam Pepper follows him out of the door for a substantially larger figure of £110,000 to join Vanarama National League leaders Bristol Rovers.

Adam Chabukiani has also rejected bids for John Watt from Burnley, a bid for Matthew Fletcher from league leaders Luton Town and two bids from Leeds United and Wolves for Caner Dumlupinar. However, an offer remains untouched on the table from Swansea City as they approach wonderkid Alex Fletcher for a rumoured big fee.



Alex Fletcher Ditches Horsfall For Liberty



Bradford Park Avenue striker Alex Fletcher has today broken the clubs record transfer sale, as he leaves Bradford for Swansea.

With Sanchez Watt breaking the record largest fee received only last summer, Alex Fletcher has done it this winter as he joins Nikola Jurjevic's Swansea City for a fee of £925,000 - £625,000 more than Sanchez Watt's move to Gillingham in July.

Despite the positive stamp it has left on the financial books for this year, it is also a huge loss as Bradford Park Avenue have lost possibly one of their best youngsters in their ranks at the raw age of eighteen.

Coming in at 6'5", the striker was literally a huge threat to opposition defences in League Two this season as he made nine appearances, scoring four goals in the process as the teams' target man.

Fletcher was a product of the academy over at the Cemetery Road training ground, where he blossomed to become the big money star that he currently is now.

'We've lost a bright lad today, a huge loss... Literally! But seriously, Alex [Fletcher] is one of the best talents you'll see in a Bradford Park Avenue shirt. His usefulness goes way beyond scoring goals, mainly because of his height but also his skill. I really do hope Swansea treat him well over there and I trust Nikola [Jurjevic] to aid his development.' said Bradford PA boss Adam Chabukiani, who was clearly saddened by the loss of his target man.

With the arrival of Cedric Gondo just a few days ago, it makes sense now why that deal took place, with Gondo reaching up to a similar height of Alex Fletcher.
Disappointing to lose such a promising player man but hopefully someone can come in and replace him well enough
Getting a bit of money into the club!
mgriffin2012: Yeah, I brought in Cedric Gondo so I hope he can fill the gap he left behind!

Griffo: Nothing better ;)

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