Without doubt, the most successful footballer ever to have come from the Coalville District was Joe Bradford, a man who didn’t just play football, he defined it. Born on January 22nd, 1901, the very day Queen Victoria shuffled off her mortal coil, Joe burst into the world ready to rule the footballing empire.
Hailing from Peggs Green, Joe was a prodigy from the get-go. While teenage lads were perfecting their marbles game (or kicking a tin can around), young Joe was busy bagging 65 goals for Coleorton in the 1915-16 season. But that’s mere child’s play compared to his next feat: a mind-boggling fourteen goals in a single match for Peggs Green Victoria against Birstall Rovers! That’s not a football match, that’s a demolition!
Naturally, the big clubs came calling. Aston Villa and Derby County gave him a look, but it was Birmingham City who truly saw the gleam in his boots, signing him for a cool £100 (plus an extra £25 for his debut – bargain of the century!). And boy, did he repay that investment. For fifteen glorious years, Joe was Birmingham’s human goal machine, netting a staggering 267 goals in 445 appearances – a record that still stands today! He was so prolific, he once scored eleven goals in eight days. We’re talking hat-tricks for Birmingham, a five-goal haul for the Football League XI, and more hat-tricks for the Blues. Opposing goalkeepers must have had nightmares in triplicate.
He helped Birmingham storm to the Second Division title in 1921 and even found the net in the 1931 FA Cup Final against West Brom in front of just over 92,000 fans – though sadly, even Joe’s magic couldn’t quite bring home the trophy that day. In 1933 tragedy struck and Bradford lost his son, but he still turned out to face the vile on the same day.
But Joe wasn’t just a club legend; he was an England hero too! With 12 caps and 7 goals for his country between 1923 and 1930, he graced the international stage with his formidable presence. And here’s a fun fact: he even played alongside his cousin, Hughie Adcock of Leicester City fame, on three occasions for England in 1929. Imagine the family bragging rights!
After a final swansong season with Bristol City, Joe hung up his boots in 1936 to embark on a new adventure: running a cafe in Birmingham. From smashing goals to serving tea, truly a man of many talents! He then moved on to managing public houses, proving he was just as adept at pulling pints as he was at pulling defenders out of position. He even dipped his toe into scouting for Arsenal and became president of Sutton FC.