Brendan Bradley
Encyclopedia
Brendan Bradley is a former Irish
footballer. He holds the record for the highest number of goals, 235, scored by an individual in the League of Ireland
with a club record 181 for Finn Harps
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html.
at the age of 15, Bradley signed for Derry City
at the age of sixteen. Although a regular in the club's reserve team he only made a handful of first team appearances during his three seasons with the club; his route to the first team being blocked by the form of regular striker Danny Hale
.
manager Patsy McGowan and a fee of £100 secured Bradley's services for the Harps' League of Ireland
debut season, 1969-1970. The season saw him score his and the club's first hat-trick in senior football in the away fixture with Athlone Town and his tally of 18 league goals was the highest in the league. The following season once again saw Bradley top the list of leading scorers, this time with 20 league goals whilst the 1971-1972 season saw his goal help Finn Harps secure their first major honour with a 1-0 victory over Cork Hibernians
in the Dublin City Cup
.
manager David Herd
paying £6,000 for his services. He made his league debut for the club in the 1-1 away draw with Darlington
on 19 August 1972 His first goals for the club came in his third league game when he netted twice in the 3-0 away victory over Workington on 30 August 1972 and he then scored in the following four league fixtures. He went on to score 11 goals in his first 18 league appearances before Herd left as manager following the 3-1 defeat at Bradford City
on 2 December 1972. Although he found the net in the new manager Graham Taylor's first game in charge, a 2-2 draw at Newport County
on 16 December 1972, that would prove to be his final goal for the Imps as he failed to score in his final 12 appearances that season.
based club, Bradley returned to Finn Harps for £4,000 on 22 March 1973 and ended the 1973-1974 season by scoring the final two goals as Harps won the FAI Cup
with a 3-1 victory against St Patrick's Athletic
at Dalymount Park
. The victory saw Harps qualify for the following season's European Cup Winners Cup where they were drawn against Bursaspor
. Bradley scored in the away leg, a 4-2 defeat on 18 September 1974; the 0-0 home leg on 2 October 1974 seeing the club fall out of the competition. His total of 21 league goals saw him head the league scorers chart for a third time. The 1975-1976 season saw him head the scoring charts for a fourth time with 29 league goals, which included all six in the 6-1 victory over Sligo Rovers
at Finn Park
. These exploits saw him voted the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the Year for 1976. The close season saw him head for the North American Soccer League
where he made a single appearance for Toronto Metros-Croatia.
manager Patsy McGowan at Sligo Rovers
. He netted 44 league goals for the club, collecting a FAI Cup
runners-up medal from the 1981 final with Dundalk
. He returned to Harps for the 1982-1983 season, staying a further four seasons, before re-joining Derry City
in the January 1986 season, helping the club capture the League of Ireland First Division Shield
.
, relaxing with playing golf and walking. He resisted the urge of management after his playing retirement commenting that "it would never take the place of playing for me" and is an occasional visitor to the Brandywell Stadium
. After 13 years at Finn Park
he retains "a soft spot for Harps".
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer. He holds the record for the highest number of goals, 235, scored by an individual in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
with a club record 181 for Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html.
Derry City
A talented youngster, appearing in the Derry and District LeagueDerry and District League
The Derry and District League is an amateur football league in Derry. The league includes youth and senior football teams. The Senior Sunday League has two divisions, the Premier and the First Division. The Youth Leagues have one league for each age group, from under-10 up to under-17. Teams such...
at the age of 15, Bradley signed for Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
at the age of sixteen. Although a regular in the club's reserve team he only made a handful of first team appearances during his three seasons with the club; his route to the first team being blocked by the form of regular striker Danny Hale
Danny Hale (footballer)
Danny Hale is a former Northern Irish footballer.Hale played with Crusaders in the Irish League in the 1960s. He represented Northern Ireland as an Amateur International and was a prolific goalscorer for Crusaders. He scored a total of 143 goals in four seasons with the club, placing him third in...
.
Finn Harps
Despite his limited appearances for Derry, Bradley had impressed Finn HarpsFinn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
manager Patsy McGowan and a fee of £100 secured Bradley's services for the Harps' League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
debut season, 1969-1970. The season saw him score his and the club's first hat-trick in senior football in the away fixture with Athlone Town and his tally of 18 league goals was the highest in the league. The following season once again saw Bradley top the list of leading scorers, this time with 20 league goals whilst the 1971-1972 season saw his goal help Finn Harps secure their first major honour with a 1-0 victory over Cork Hibernians
Cork Hibernians F.C.
Cork Hibernians F.C. were an Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1957 and 1976 and played their home games at Flower Lodge. In 1971, they were League of Ireland champions.-History:...
in the Dublin City Cup
Dublin City Cup
The Dublin City Cup is a defunct Irish football tournament which was played for by all League of Ireland sides . It ran from 1933 and ran uninterrupted until 1973. In season 1975/76 it was revived and played for by sides who did not reach the League of Ireland Cup quarter finals...
.
Lincoln City
In July 1972, Bradley moved to the Football League with Lincoln CityLincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
manager David Herd
David Herd (footballer)
David George Herd is a Scottish former international association footballer. His regular position was as a forward where he was a consistent goal scorer.-Family:...
paying £6,000 for his services. He made his league debut for the club in the 1-1 away draw with Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on 19 August 1972 His first goals for the club came in his third league game when he netted twice in the 3-0 away victory over Workington on 30 August 1972 and he then scored in the following four league fixtures. He went on to score 11 goals in his first 18 league appearances before Herd left as manager following the 3-1 defeat at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on 2 December 1972. Although he found the net in the new manager Graham Taylor's first game in charge, a 2-2 draw at Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on 16 December 1972, that would prove to be his final goal for the Imps as he failed to score in his final 12 appearances that season.
Return to Finn Harps
With Graham Taylor rebuilding the Sincil BankSincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
based club, Bradley returned to Finn Harps for £4,000 on 22 March 1973 and ended the 1973-1974 season by scoring the final two goals as Harps won the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
with a 3-1 victory against St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. The victory saw Harps qualify for the following season's European Cup Winners Cup where they were drawn against Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
. Bradley scored in the away leg, a 4-2 defeat on 18 September 1974; the 0-0 home leg on 2 October 1974 seeing the club fall out of the competition. His total of 21 league goals saw him head the league scorers chart for a third time. The 1975-1976 season saw him head the scoring charts for a fourth time with 29 league goals, which included all six in the 6-1 victory over Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
at Finn Park
Finn Park
Finn Park is a football stadium in Ballybofey, Ireland, the home of League of Ireland Premier Division team Finn Harps F.C., and has a capacity of 7,500 with 400 seats...
. These exploits saw him voted the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Personality of the Year for 1976. The close season saw him head for the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
where he made a single appearance for Toronto Metros-Croatia.
Later career
In 1978, he moved to Athlone Town before linking once more with his erstwhile Finn HarpsFinn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
manager Patsy McGowan at Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
. He netted 44 league goals for the club, collecting a FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
runners-up medal from the 1981 final with Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. He returned to Harps for the 1982-1983 season, staying a further four seasons, before re-joining Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
in the January 1986 season, helping the club capture the League of Ireland First Division Shield
League of Ireland First Division Shield
The League of Ireland First Division Shield is a now defunct Irish football competition which was run by the Football Association of Ireland. The tournament was confined to those teams competing in the League of Ireland First Division and ran during the 1980s and 1990s.-List of Finals:Possibly...
.
Post career
Bradley resides in DerryDerry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, relaxing with playing golf and walking. He resisted the urge of management after his playing retirement commenting that "it would never take the place of playing for me" and is an occasional visitor to the Brandywell Stadium
Brandywell Stadium
The Brandywell Stadium is a municipal dual-use football and greyhound racing stadium located in Derry, Northern Ireland.-Location, features and history:...
. After 13 years at Finn Park
Finn Park
Finn Park is a football stadium in Ballybofey, Ireland, the home of League of Ireland Premier Division team Finn Harps F.C., and has a capacity of 7,500 with 400 seats...
he retains "a soft spot for Harps".
Honours
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Finn Harps F.C.Finn Harps F.C.Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
1974
- Finn Harps F.C.
- Dublin City CupDublin City CupThe Dublin City Cup is a defunct Irish football tournament which was played for by all League of Ireland sides . It ran from 1933 and ran uninterrupted until 1973. In season 1975/76 it was revived and played for by sides who did not reach the League of Ireland Cup quarter finals...
- Finn Harps F.C.Finn Harps F.C.Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
1971-72
- Finn Harps F.C.
- League of Ireland First Division ShieldLeague of Ireland First Division ShieldThe League of Ireland First Division Shield is a now defunct Irish football competition which was run by the Football Association of Ireland. The tournament was confined to those teams competing in the League of Ireland First Division and ran during the 1980s and 1990s.-List of Finals:Possibly...
- Derry City F.C.Derry City F.C.Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
1985/86
- Derry City F.C.