There are players who lead their clubs to glory by performing in the biggest of occasions, and eventually clinching the greatest of trophies for their team. Such footballers ultimately end up as legends of the club, adored by fans for an eternity. However, every football club has their list of unsung heroes. While some leave their mark at the highest level, there are some players who achieve legendary status during a club's lowest periods.
This article will be looking at one such player, Harry Bradshaw. The former English forward was a rare bright spot during Liverpool's struggle in the 2nd Division of England Football, at a time when the club weren't the European giant that we know today. Let us now look back at his time with Liverpool, and the reminder of his memorable career.
A ray of hope during Liverpool's struggling phase
Born in Liverpool, Bradshaw was signed by Liverpool from Northwich Victoria in October 1893. The former centre-forward made his debut against Arsenal ( then known as Woolwich Arsenal) in a Second Division fixture. Liverpool managed to win the game 5-0, with Bradshaw scoring the final goal. He went on to score seven goals in the remaining fourteen matches of the 1893–94 campaign, thus proving himself to be a key player in Liverpool's Second Division title triumph. This achievement also meant that Liverpool were ultimately able to achieve promotion back to the top tier of English football.
Bradshaw was Liverpool's sole reason for joy in the following season, as the Reds struggled immensely in the First Division. Despite Bradshaw scoring seventeen times that season, Liverpool's weak performance eventually saw them relegated back to the Second Division.
The Reds were back to their best in the 1895–96 season, especially Bradshaw. He was now deployed in the left wing, and excelled in his new role by scoring 12 goals in that position. His versatility in attack was a huge added bonus for Liverpool at the time.
Bradshaw's heroics with Liverpool ultimately saw him earn an international call-up. His one and only England cap was earned against Ireland on 20th February 1897. Despite only making a single international appearance, that moment was nothing less than a legendary moment. Bradshaw's only game for England made him Liverpool's first ever player to achieve international recognition.
Liverpool's unsung hero left the club in 1898 after 5 years with the Reds. He left the club with a special legacy, one that was witnessed and will only be remembered by some of the most hardcore fans of the club.
The post-Liverpool years and unfortunate demise
Bradshaw's next chapter in football saw him make a brief return to former club Northwich Victoria, followed by a move to Tottenham. His spell at Spurs was quite a short one as well, and yet he managed to make history with the London club. The English forward's goal in an FA Cup tie against Sunderland in 1899 helped Spurs become the first lower division club to come from behind to beat a top-flight opposition.
The former Liverpool star next joined a club named Thames Ironworks, who would later go on to be known as West Ham United. Bradshaw was also appointed as club captain upon his arrival at the club.
It was during his time at West Ham that Bradshaw sustained an injury from a kick to the head during the Irons 1–0 win over Bedminster. This was unfortunately an incident that marked the beginning of the end.
Bradshaw's health began to deteriorate after this incident, which saw him rested for several matches. Despite this, he kept on putting up strong performances whenever he played. His last game was on 9th December, which saw Bradshaw score a goal in his side's 2-1 defeat against Millwall.
Bradshaw finally succumbed to his lengthy illness on Christmas Day 1899. His cause of death was recorded as consumption. It was sad in football, as the beautiful game lost one of its most underrated heroes in history.
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