add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
Plano Fixed Bridges, Richardson Fixed Bridges, Allen Fixed Bridges,... planodentist.com | Chicago Bridges, South Shore Bridges, Beverly Bridges, Calumet Heights... dentaldreamteamchicago.co... | Bridge Dentistry Virginia, Dentist Bridges Virginia, Tooth Bridges... fixasmile.com | Bakersfield Fixed Bridges, Shafter Fixed Bridges, Lamont Fixed Bridges,... kirkpatrickdentistry.com |
Wayne Michael Bridge (born 5 August 1980) is an English football defender, who plays as a left back for Manchester City and the England national team.
[edit] Club career[edit] SouthamptonBridge was born in Southampton, but moved to Winchester at an early age. He attended Oliver's Battery Primary and Kings' Schools. When playing for Olivers Battery FC he was "spotted" by Micky Adams, who recommended him to Southampton, who signed him as a trainee in July 1996.[2] He made his reserve team debut, as a centre-forward against Portsmouth on 13 August 1997 and turned professional in January 1998. He made his first-team debut on 16 August 1998 (the opening day of the 1998–99 season) coming on as a replacement for John Beresford, who had badly damaged his knee. Bridge made his first senior start in the next match on 22 August in a 5–0 defeat away to Charlton Athletic. As Southampton struggled to pick up points (with only two points after the first nine games), Bridge played (on the left wing) in most of Saints' league games until early December before losing his place to Hassan Kachloul. For the remainder of the 1998–99 Premier League season Bridge was only used occasionally, as Saints narrowly completed their "Great Escape" from relegation. He completed his first season as a first-team player with 15 starts and 8 substitute appearances. The following season carried on in a similar vein with Bridge making occasional appearances on the left wing until injuries to Francis Benali and the poor form of his intended replacement Patrick Colleter gave Bridge the opportunity to play at left-back, where he soon became a fixture in the Saints starting line-up. In the 1999–00 season he made 15 starts (plus four substitute appearances) scoring his first senior goal, with a powerful free-kick over the wall, in the final match of the season on 14 May 2000 against Wimbledon, as a result of which Wimbledon were relegated to Division 1 after 14 years in the top flight. In the 2000–01 season Bridge was an ever-present at left-back as Saints finished their final season at The Dell in tenth place in the Premier League table. Bridge was rewarded by being voted the Southampton Player of the Year for the 2000–01 season. Bridge was "fast, determined, skilful and full of youthful promise" and "his forward runs became an exciting sight at The Dell and then at St Mary's."[3] He was an ever present yet again in the following season as Saints again finished their first season at their new stadium comfortably in mid-table. His temperament and consistency, together with a high level of fitness, enabled him to continue to play every match until 18 January 2003 when he limped off with an injury in a 1–0 defeat to Liverpool. This brought to an end a run of 113 consecutive appearances, a Premier League record for an outfield player (since surpassed by Frank Lampard Jnr).[4] His run started on 4 March 2000 since when Bridge had played 10,160 consecutive minutes of Premier League football, not missing a single minute's play through injury or suspension. By now, bigger clubs were trailing Bridge, and he was finally tempted away to join Chelsea for £7 million in the 2003 close season. His last appearance for the club came in the 2003 F.A. Cup Final defeat to Arsenal. During his five years as a Saints first-team player, he made 174 appearances, with two league goals. [edit] ChelseaAfter five years with the Saints, Bridge moved to Chelsea in July 2003 for a fee of £7 million plus Graeme Le Saux,[5] and was initially a regular starter. His finest moment came in the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal in 2003–04. Bridge scored the winning goal in the 88th minute to send Chelsea into the semi-finals and end an 18 game winless run against Arsenal.[6] The goal was later voted goal of the season. Bridge also scored against Besiktas[7] and Portsmouth[8] in 2003–04 season. For the 2005–06 season Chelsea signed Spanish left-back Asier del Horno[9] and Bridge faced a challenge to get back into the side when he recovered from the injury that kept him out of the team in the latter stages of the 2004–05 campaign. Limited first team opportunities saw him join Fulham on loan on 19 January 2006.[10] He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park. The move seemed to benefit him as he managed to secure his place in the 2006 World Cup squad for the tournament in Germany. Bridge's main competition for the Chelsea left back spot has now come from fellow England international left back Ashley Cole. Bridge played the full match in Chelsea's 3–0 victory over Manchester City on the opening day of the 2006–07 Premier League season, providing a telling cross for the third goal, scored by a header from Didier Drogba.[11] However, his strong early season form was not enough to hold down the left-back position, with Mourinho preferring Ashley Cole in most games. Following Ashley Cole's injury in the 3–0 Premier League win against Blackburn Rovers early in 2007, Bridge became Chelsea's natural choice for left-back.[12] He featured in attack for an injury struck Chelsea side against Football League Two side Wycombe in the 2007 semi-final 1st leg Carling Cup match, scoring one goal in the process.[13] Bridge finished the 2006–07 season with two cup final winner's medals after playing in both the 2007 League Cup Final against Arsenal in a 2-1[14] win and in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United in a 1-0 victory.[15] Bridge played his third cup final for Chelsea in just over two years in the 2-1 loss in the 2008 League Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur. Bridge was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area and Tottenham were awarded a penalty from which they scored, going on to win 2–1 after extra-time. In the League Cup fourth round tie against Burnley in the 2008-09 season, Bridge wore the captain's armband in the absence of John Terry and Frank Lampard Jnr, but the Blues lost on penalties. [edit] Manchester CityOn 2 January 2009 it was confirmed by Mark Hughes that Manchester City had agreed an undisclosed fee with Chelsea for Bridge, thought to be around £14 million and, on the following day, Manchester City agreed personal terms with the player, who later passed his medical, thus enabling the transfer to be completed.[16] Bridge was unveiled to the home fans that day, at an FA Cup home tie against Nottingham Forest, and two weeks later made his debut for the club in a 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic in the league. He was given the squad number 25. For the 2009-10 season, Bridge will wear the number 3 jersey, previously worn by Michael Ball. [edit] International careerDuring his time with Southampton, all Bridge's managers (Jones, Hoddle and Gray) predicted full international honours.[3] He was soon making regular appearances for the England under-21 team, and the managers' prophecy was realised when Sven-Göran Eriksson gave him his first full cap against Netherlands on 13 February 2002.[17][18] He quickly proved himself, and appeared twice as a substitute in the 2002 World Cup, although he did not appear at all in Euro 2004, with Ashley Cole being preferred. During the qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, he was given the role of playing in England's problematic left midfield role, but he lost this to his Chelsea team mate Joe Cole when he was injured. He returned to the England team for a friendly against Argentina in November 2005, covering for the injured Cole at left back and winning his 21st cap. He played in the European Championship Qualifying match against Estonia on 6 June 2007, which England won 3–0, with Bridge assisting Joe Cole's goal with a long throw into the box.[19] [edit] International goals
[edit] Personal life Bridge became a father in November 2006 with French girlfriend, model and actress, Vanessa Perroncel, who gave birth to their son Jaydon Jean Claude Bridge, and celebrated by signing a new four-year contract with Chelsea on 22 November 2006.[20] Bridge regards "Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend" by Francesca Simon as his favourite book,[21] and Das EFX as his favourite band. In an issue of the official Chelsea Magazine, Bridge revealed his love for the Star Wars films and told of how his girlfriend bought him a Imperial Stormtrooper outfit. [edit] Honours
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: 1980 births | Living people | People from Southampton | English footballers | England international footballers | Southampton F.C. players | Chelsea F.C. players | Fulham F.C. players | Manchester City F.C. players | Premier League players | England under-21 international footballers | 2002 FIFA World Cup players | UEFA Euro 2004 players | 2006 FIFA World Cup players | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
