Billy Bradshaw (footballer)

William Bradshaw (3 April 1884 – June 1955)[2] was an English football player and manager. Bradshaw played at both professional and international levels as a left half.

Billy Bradshaw
Personal information
Full name William Bradshaw
Date of birth 3 April 1884
Place of birth Padiham, England
Date of death June 1955(1955-06-00) (aged 71)
Position(s) Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Padiham
Accrington Stanley
1903–1920 Blackburn Rovers[1] 386 (36)
1920 Rochdale
International career
1910–1913 England 4 (0)
Managerial career
1920 Rochdale
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Club career

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Born in Padiham, Bradshaw began his career with Padiham and Accrington Stanley. Bradshaw was a left-half, but was extremely adept at joining the attack and was referred to in one report as "being as good as having a sixth forward"; he was also an expert penalty-taker.[3] He signed for Blackburn Rovers in May 1903 for a fee of £20,[3] and spent 17 years at the club, scoring 36 goals in 386 appearances in the Football League before leaving in 1920.[4] During his time at the Ewood Park club, he helped them win the Football League championship in 1912 and 1914.[5]

In April 1920, he was released by Blackburn to become player-manager of Rochdale, but left that position in September of the same year.[3]

International career

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Bradshaw made his international debut in February 1910, and earned a total of four caps between then and 1913.[6][7] He also represented the Football League on three occasions.[3]

Honours

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Blackburn Rovers

References

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  1. ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 34. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ Billy Bradshaw englandfootballonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d Betts, Graham (2006). England: Player by player. Green Umbrella Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 1-905009-63-1.
  4. ^ "Player profile". Spartacus Educational. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  5. ^ "1905 - 1914: The best team in the land". Club History. Blackburn Rovers FC. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  6. ^ "Player profile". The Football Association. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  7. ^ "Player profile". EnglandFC.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
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