Life of a League One footballer
Even though there’s only a two-division gap, the life of a League One footballer is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of the Premier League. I spoke to current Southend United midfielder Jack Bridge, to get an insight into his life as a professional footballer and what makes him tick.
The 21-year-old is a Southend boy born and bred. He has been part of the club since he was nine years old and owes it all down to one man when he was growing up.
‘My biggest influence growing up probably would have been my dad, he managed my Sunday league team, took me to my first game at roots hall, and to my first session with Southend’.
Being a professional footballer is something that many of us can only dream about. However, Bridge gets to live it every day. When asked about what a typical day will consist off this is what he had to say, look out for a cheeky dig at fellow team mate Ted Smith:
‘My typical day would consist of getting myself to the training ground for breakfast around 9 o’clock, after that I beat ted smith at a few games of pool nice and quickly. I’ll then prepare for training session ahead with certain exercises and then head out. After this we have some lunch and then depending on what is the plan for the week we either finish for the day or have a gym session in afternoon’
Bridge is part of a generation that has seen many well-known players be developed by the Southend academy. Players including Dominic Iorfa (Wolves) Isaac Hayden (Newcastle) as well as Dan Bentley (Brentford) have all come through the academy. As well as England youth, international Ted Smith who is still at the club. However, went asked who the best player he has played with is, it is a former Tottenham, Fulham, Fleetwood, Crawley and Bristol |Rovers man that springs to mind:
‘The best player I played with would be Lyle Della Verde. Growing up I’ve never seen anything like it, he could score goals from anywhere and from any situation. More recently it would be Jack Payne and Ted smith. Payney could score from nothing and Ted, you can just never score past him’
As well as playing with some of these future stars he has had the privilege of playing against many superb players but there was one player who stuck out more than others. This French international was superb in a match against Bridges’ Blues:
‘The best player I’ve played against was Dimitri Payet in pre-season against West Ham, he scored a hat trick against us and was unplayable’.
The route to first team football has not been as straightforward as Bridge would hope for. He has had multiple loan spells away from the Shrimpers. Including a stint at Soham Town Rangers and two spells at Conference South side Chelmsford City, where during the last half of last season he excelled scoring seven goals in 14 games from the wing. Asked about the time away this is how the young midfielder responded.
‘The 2 loans spells at Chelmsford I really enjoyed and loved playing my football there. Obviously, there is a big difference in the pace of the game and quality in comparison to league football, but it has definitely put me in good stead for the future’.
On April 30th 2016, a proud moment occurred for Bridge, he made his debut for is boyhood club against Bradford City. This was then followed up by his first start in the final game of last season away at Bury. He went on the say that it was the best moment of his career to date.
‘The best moment in my career, there could be a few up there. But if I had to pick it would be making my debut. I was nervous and excited but it was a great experience that I will never forget’.
It is not all plain sailing though as a footballer, there are many obstacles that will be placed in front of you. Including injury, not playing and low morale. As well as talking about this he also states what the lowest point in his career is so far
‘I’d say hardest obstacle is staying patient and to just keep going when things aren’t going well. When I’m not in the team or squad I just have to keep doing the right things and waiting until a chance comes along. The worst moments in football for me so far would be the injuries that I have picked up. There’s nothing worse than being injured and having to watch training and games’.
The future certainly looks bright for Jack Bridge, a player who still has great potential and is seen by many Southend fans as the replacement for former starlet, Jack Payne. Only time will tell what happens, with only three appearances so far this season however he will certainly be looking to build upon this in the second half of the season and contribute towards a Southend play-off push.
Sounders reign supreme
Seattle Sounders won their first ever MLS Cup on Saturday as they overcame Toronto FC in their own backyard.
Having already beat the reigning Supports Shield Champions and US Cup winners FC Dallas as well as Colorado and Kansas City on their path to glory the Sounders would have been in a buoyant mood coming into the season finale.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, they faced stiffed opposition in Toronto who were spearheaded by the Italian magician Sebastien Giovinco.
Toronto defeated Philadelphia, New York City FC and fellow Canadian side Montreal Impact on their route to the final.
The game itself however, did not live up to the hype and at the end of extra time the scores were tied at 0-0. It was then that Seattle Sounders won the game on penalties.
The game started with a rapid fiery tempo as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Early chances for both Jozy Altidore and Giovinco went begging for the hosts. Apart from that not much really happened in the dull 0-0 draw until the 90th minute.
Up step Stefan Frei. The Swiss goalkeeper produced a wonderful save to stop Altidore from scoring what would be the winner, thrusting himself at a cross to prevent it from contacting the Americans head.
More Heroics were to follow in extra time as Frei made a quite simply outstanding save from Altidore once more.
The striker sent a looping header over the top of the shot stopper but somehow, he managed to work his feet back and claw it out from underneath the bar. Snatching victory from the hands of Toronto.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated here is what he had to say about that save:
“Sometimes as a goalkeeper you feel like you’re not going to get to a ball, but you never know until you try. I tried to keep my feet moving and give it my best shot.”
Frei went on to save two spot kicks in the shoot-out and it was cult hero Ramon Torres who sealed the victory by putting away his penalty in sudden death.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith a solid, experienced spine including the likes of Clint Dempsey, captain Osvaldo Alonso, designated player Nicolas Lodeiro and a mixture of youth, including the MLS Rookie of the year for 2016, Jordan Morris. It gives them plenty of reasons for optimism next season.
This victory has now given the Sounders direct qualification into the CONCACAF Champions League.
A competition that traditionally American teams have not performed very well in, with only Real Salt Lake City being the only club to record a final appearance.
This could all change next year however, with what proves to be an exciting team in the Seattle Sounders and potentially an American champion could become reality.
The rise of the phoenix clubs
Phoenix clubs are something now that have become common in modern day football and there are more than you might think.
A phoenix club is defined as a new parent company that is set up to replace the parent company of a club that has failed in business terms but not in sporting terms. In simple terms, it is basically a new club set up after the previous one had gone out of business.
These clubs tend to be set up by fans of the former club to make sure that they keep their clubs spirit alive. Hey also tend to keep similar club colours, crest and name as the former club.
The most well-known Phoenix club in modern day English football is AFC Wimbledon, set up after Wimbledon FC had moved to Milton Keynes and changed their name to MK Dons. Fans did not take kindly to this and set up a breakaway club that began in tier 9 of the English Football Pyramid. After 6 promotions in 13 years they now find themselves in League 1, the same league as their biggest rivals, MK Dons.
Embed from Getty ImagesChester FC are one of the more recent and successful Phoenix clubs. Currently plying their trade in the Vanarama National League thy have come a long way since their financial trouble back in 2010. After failing to field a team for their game against Forest Green Rovers they were suspended from the League. Subsequent court appearances followed for the club as they wound up in administration and ultimately, they went out of business.
Starting off in the NPL Division one north in 2010 they won three successive promotions and have been in the conference since 2013. They are still hugely supported and continue to bring in big crowds, a record attendance of 5,000 against Northwich Victoria in 2012 only goes to prove this.
Aside from AFC Wimbledon, notable Phoenix clubs include Chester FC, Hereford, FC United of Manchester and Accrington Stanley. This just goes to show clubs and fans that even if things ultimately go wrong there is still hope that there club can return to where they once were.
Embed from Getty Images5 must-see stadiums in world football
1 – Estadio Azteca
The Estadio Azteca is one of the most remarkable sights in world football. Since opening in 1966 it has been home to both the Mexican national team and Club America. The 87,000 capacity makes it one of the biggest stadiums in world football and it also played host to one of the most controversial scenes in the history of the sport. The Hand of God. Committed by Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup. And during the 1970 World Cup it held what is dubbed the ‘Game of the century’ between West Germany and Italy. Not only does it host football but it has also held American football matches, Concerts as well as boxing.
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2 – Olympiastadion
A ground steeped in history, located in the heart of Berlin it can hold 75,000 people and has been the scene for some of the most famous moments not in only in football history but world history. It was the place where Jesse Owens upstaged Hitler at his own event. Home to Hertha Berlin since 1963 and the German national team it has held the 1936 Olympics, 1974 & 2006 World Cups as well as the 2015 Champions League Final. Just like the Azteca it has not only hosted football. Concerts and American football have also been played here. This is an iconic, must see ground for any football or sporting fan alike.
3 – Sapporo Dome
This arena as made the list not because of its history. But because of how unique it is. It is a ground that can host both Football and Baseball. This is made possible by the fact that there is a rotating pitch in place. An astro turf baseball field lays below a grass surface for football meaning that when needed the football ground can be moved in or out of the stadium. Built in 2001 it also played host to 3 three games during the 2002 World Cup. It is a proposed venue for the 2020 summer Olympics and this is certainly one of the most unique grounds in the world.
Top 5 memorable FA Cup moments
On Tuesday night Stourbridge produced one of the all-time great shocks as the seventh-tier side shocked Northampton Town FC with a 1-0 victory to secure a passage into the third round.
To celebrate this, and in no particular order we will now look at the five most memorable moments in FA Cup history.
Number 5: The Crazy Gang
In 1988, minnows Wimbledon went toe-to-toe with the giants that are Liverpool FC, arguable the best team in the world during this era. This result has gone down as one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup final history as the much unfancied Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0. The side which included the likes of Lawrie Sanchez, Vinnie Jones and Dave Beasant had done the unthinkable. And it was the latter who proved to be a hero as he saved a John Aldridge penalty to ensure that the trophy went to Plough Lane for the first time.
Number 4: The Gerrard Final
The 2006 FA Cup final contested between West Ham and Liverpool will go down in the annuls. It is not often that a final is to be named after one player, with only Stanley Matthews receiving the honour back in 1953. But at 2-0 down Gerrard played a sublime ball to Djbril Cisse or duly obliged with the finish. It was then that Gerrard took centre stage. Scoring the equaliser and then with the last kick of the game the Liverpool Legend smashed home from 35 yards. He then proceeded to score in the shoot-out as The Reds brought home their seventh FA Cup title.
Embed from Getty ImagesNumber 3: Chelsea Vs Bradford
In January of 2015 one of the biggest modern day upsets of all time occurred. League 1 Bradford travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on eventual Premier League champions Chelsea. Jose Mourinho’s men were 2-0 up after 40 minutes and it seemed like it would be plain siling. However, a Jon Stead goal just before half time set the game up perfectly. Goals followed from Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates as Bradford completed an epic comeback and were in the draw for the fifth round for the first time in 18 years.
Number 2: Portsmouth Vs Cardiff
This game was not special in terms of anything that happened in the game. Moreover, it was a special moment for both teams as it was Pompey’s first FA Cup final for over 60 years and Cardiff were bidding to become the first team to win the competition outside of the top flight. In front of a record breaking attendance that has not yet been broken at the new Wembley; Portsmouth reigned victorious as a first half goal from Nwankwo Kanu sent the fans into ecstasy and they held on for a 1-0 win to claim their second FA Cup final victory.
Number 1: Non-League giant killers.
In the fourth round of the 2013/12 FA Cup Luton Town knocked out Norwich City to became the first non-league team in 25 years to defeat top division opponents. They did it the hard way as well by winning the tie at Carrow Road. Having already beating Wolves in the previous round they knew what they had to do. A late strike from Scott Rendell sent The Hatters into the Fifth round. Scenes like this had not been since
Sutton United beat Coventry City back in 1989. Hopefully for the good of the FA Cup it won’t be long until we see it again.
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