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Michael Bridges

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Michael Bridges
Personal information
Full name Michael Bridges
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Carlisle United
(on loan from Hull City)
Number 19
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:58, 18 September 2008 (UTC)

Michael Bridges (born 5 August 1978 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear) is an English football striker whose career has been severely blighted by injuries. He currently plays for Carlisle United, on loan from Hull City.

Club career

Sunderland

Bridges emerged as one of the Premier League's most promising young strikers during the 1996–97 season at Sunderland, but was unable to save them from relegation. Two years later he helped them return to the Premiership and joined Leeds United for £5million soon afterwards.

He made a total of 79 Appearances at Sunderland, and scored 16 Goals.

Leeds United

In his first season at Elland Road, Bridges scored 19 Premiership goals and helped his side finish third in the Premiership, qualify for the Champions League and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup. Bridges was plagued with injuries over the next 4 seasons of his Leeds United career, only making 10 appearances and not scoring any goals.

Newcastle United

As a result of his injuries he was loaned out to Newcastle United in January 2004 in order to help alleviate their striker crisis. After only making a single start for Newcastle, on the right wing as opposed to in his favoured striking role, Bridges was out of contract in the summer of 2004 with his contract not being renewed due to his injury problems, he made only 6 appearances for Newcastle, and failed to score in any of those matches.

Unsettled

He was quickly snapped up by Bolton Wanderers but only figured in one League Cup game. Released by Bolton he spent the rest of the season back at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland before joining Bristol City.

Carlisle United

His spell at Ashton Gate ended in November 2005, and he joined Carlisle United, becoming perhaps their most influential player in their successful promotion charge into League One. Bridges' 15 goals made him very popular in Carlisle and thanks to them he restablished his football career, but the fans were sad when he decided to leave Brunton Park on Transfer deadline day, 31 August 2006. It was reported that Hull City had a £250,000 bid for Bridges turned down, and that because of this, Bridges handed in a transfer request. Hull returned with an improved bid of £350,000, and this was accepted.

Hull City

His first season at Hull was largely disappointing. However, he did earn the Tigers their first league win of the season with a spectacular goal against Leicester City[1], but through a combination of injuries (back and ankle[2]), suspension (following a sending off in a reserve game) and simply not being selected, he made only 8 starts and 7 substitute appearances for the Tigers.

Due to lack of first team opportunity at Hull, Bridges was allowed to leave on loan for a short term deal at Australian side Sydney FC on 15 October 2007.[3][4].

In the same season he rejected a loan move to League One side Crewe Alexandra F.C..

Sydney FC

He scored his first league goal for the club on November 3 in the 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets,[5], but then found inconsistent form. A viral infection forced him to miss two matches away at Adelaide and Wellington and following this found it hard to regain favour of coach John Kosmina. He returned to the Sydney first team in January as a substitute against Queensland Roar.

After just 9 games and 2 goals Bridges returned to Hull after the expiration of his 6 month loan deal.[6]

Return to Carlisle United

On 24 July, 2008, Bridges returned to Carlisle, on a season-long loan deal. The club will have first option on signing him permanently, at the end of the loan, as his Hull City contract comes to an end.[7]

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Leicester City vs Hull City". The Tigers Official Website. 2006-09-12. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  2. ^ "Profile-Michael Bridges". The Tigers Official Website. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  3. ^ "Dwight Sells Sydney To Bridges". FourFourTwo Australia. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
  4. ^ "English striker Bridges signs on loan". sydneyfc.com. 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  5. ^ "Newcastle Jets 0 Sydney FC 1". sydneyfc.com. 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  6. ^ Bridges jets out of Sydney
  7. ^ "Bridges returns to Carlisle". Sky Sports. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
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