James Bradley (footballer)

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James Bradley ( Born 1881) was a footballer who played for Liverpool Football Club in the early 20th century, helping them to the Football League Championship.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born in Goldenhill, Staffordshire, England, Bradley played for Stoke before being signed by Liverpool manager Tom Watson in September 1905. Making his debut in a Football League Division One match against Birmingham at Anfield on the 23rd September 1905 a game that the Reds won 2-0, he scored his first goal, the opening goal of the 4-1 home victory over Newcastle, 18 months later on the 23rd March 1907. Bradley, a left half-back, played 31 matches in his first season which saw him gain a championship medal as the Liverpool took the title by 4 points beating Preston into second spot. Bradley had an eventful Christmas Day in 1909, regular goalkeeper Sam Hardy's absence saw Bradley take on the role, Bolton were the opposition and they had a shock as Bradley kept a clean sheet as Liverpool went on to hit the net 3 times.

James remained a regular member of the Liverpool starting line-up over the next 4 years missing just 18 matches. Bradley lost his place during the 1910/11 season and left the club at the end of the season joining Reading, he went on to rejoin his first club Stoke before retiring from the game.