Biography
Pacy full back Bernard Bradford joined Hull City in July 1927, manager Bill McCracken’s scouting tentacles in the North East football scene once again identifying a player of promise. Bradford’s chances of first team exposure were severely hampered by the consistency of incumbents Matt Bell and Jock Gibson, meaning he had to wait until November 1929 for his only first team start. He left the Tigers in the 1930 close season.
Bernard Bradford was born in Walker, a riverside mining and shipbuilding town to the east of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and lived near Jane Pit where his father worked as a coal miner. He was a renowned sprinter as well as footballer and played for his local North Eastern League side Walker Park prior to joining the Tigers.
In June 1930 Bradford signed for Division Three South side Walsall and he began the 1930/31 season as the Saddlers’ first choice left back. Bradford drifted out of the side in late September 1930 and supported the first team for the rest of the season, making 11 appearances in total. Bernard remained with Walsall for two further seasons playing in the Reserves and also had a spell playing in the Irish Free State League for Cork FC. In August 1933 he transferred to Nuneaton Town, a year later he returned to the North East and had short spell at Jarrow before joining Throckley Welfare in December 1934. In February 1936 he joined County Durham side Horden Colliery Welfare, the works team where he was employed as a miner. By 1939 he had returned to Walker and was living less than a mile from his workplace and working as a plumber. He died in Walker in October 1975.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 13 February 1906, Walker
Hull City First Game: 2 November 1929, Nottingham Forest H (Division Two), 23 years, 262 days old
Hull City Final Game: 2 November 1929, Nottingham Forest H (Division Two), 23 years, 262 days old
Clubs
Walker Park (1926-1927), Hull City (1927-1930), Walsall (1930-1933), Cork FC (1931, loan), Nuneaton Town (1933-1934), Jarrow (1934), Throckley Welfare (1934-1936), Horden Colliery Welfare (1936-1937)
Hull City Record
Career: 1 apps, 0 goals
Bernard Bradford| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927/28 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1928/29 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1929/30 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |