Bradley: William (Bill)

1915-1916 (Leeds City War-time Guest Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Wardley, Leicestershire: 01-03-1883

Debut: v Derby County (a): 04-09-1915

Height & Weight: Unknown

After playing his early career in the North East with Dunston Wednesday, Fatfield Albion, and Jarrow Caledonians, Bradley went south to Portsmouth, who were then a Non-League club, before returning to the North East with Jarrow. He got his break through when he was signed on professional forms by Newcastle United on 1st April 1914. He had not played for the first team before the club went into mothballs for the duration of WW1. Bradley guested for Leeds City in the 1915-16 season when the Leeds regular goalkeeper, Willis Walker, was on Royal Navy service, but was required only for part of the season until he was able to play while on leave. He did not make his debut for Newcastle United until 1919-1920, the season after the War had ceased, when he made twenty-one appearances. He was not always the regular keeper but managed to amass one hundred and thirty-three League appearances and a further ten in the FA Cup, including an appearance in the 1924 FA Cup Final in which he played a blinder as a late replacement for Alex Mutch in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa. He left St James’ Park for Third Division North side Ashington on 1st May 1927. He made thirty-six League appearances for them together with one FA Cup appearance before leaving for Non-League North Shields after Ashington did not gain re-election at the end of the 1928-1929 season.