Ces Podd

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (May 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Cyril "Ces" Podd (born August 7, 1952 in St Kitts and Nevis) is a former professional football player who played for Bradford City. He played for, and later became manager of St Kitts and Nevis at international level.

One of Bradford City’s best-loved players, Podd became a trailblazer for black footballers when the Bradford Art College student made his City debut in September 1970.

A fullback with a good turn of speed, Ces went onto make 565 appearances for the Bantams – a club record. In all that time he only scored four times, a fact that caused much amusement to his team-mates and Ces alike.

He left for Halifax in August 1984 and almost immediately found himself facing his former club at Valley Parade in the West Riding Cup. Ces seemed a bit embarrassed to be appearing for the opposition, but nevertheless he received a huge ovation from the home fans.

His long career ended at Scarborough, where he helped them gain promotion to the Football League in 1987. Ces recently coached his native St Kitts at international level; perhaps it was no surprise that one of the English club sides invited to play a series of friendlies in the Caribbean was none other than Bradford City.