David Bardsley

David John Bardsley (born 11 September 1964) is an English former professional footballer. His career lasted 20 years, and included two appearances for the national team. After his retirement, he opened football schools in England and the United States.

David Bardsley
Personal information
Full name David John Bardsley
Date of birth (1964-09-11) 11 September 1964
Place of birth Manchester, England
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1983 Blackpool 45 (0)
1983–1987 Watford 100 (7)
1987–1989 Oxford United 74 (7)
1989–1998 Queens Park Rangers 253 (4)
1998–2000 Blackpool 64 (0)
2001 Northwich Victoria 2 (0)
Total 538 (18)
National team
1992–1993 England 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Bardsley started with Blackpool in 1982 and subsequently moved to Watford in 1983 for £150,000 where he was noted for his pace, and played every game in Watford's run to the 1984 FA Cup Final, where they eventually lost to Everton. He played 121 matches in all competitions for Watford, scoring nine goals.[1] In September 1987 Bardsley transferred to Oxford United to replace David Langan for a then club record of £265,000. He played 89 games for Oxford scoring seven goals. In 1989 Bardsley completed a £500,000 move to QPR where he played in 253 games over 9 seasons.[1]

Bardsley played in the QPR team of the early to mid-1990s that finished fifth in the Premier League in 1992–93, eighth in 1993–94 and eighth in 1995. He was part of the Premier League Team of the Year for 1992–93, the inaugural season of the Premier League.

After QPR's relegation from the FA Premier League in 1996, Bardsley suffered a potentially career-threatening Achilles tendon injury which kept him out for the best part of two seasons. He returned at the tail end of the 1997–98 season in the midst of a relegation battle under Ray Harford's management. He played 253 games for QPR scoring four goals, helping keep QPR in Division One and the Premier League.[2]

Bardsley was released on a free transfer at the end of the 1997–98 season and returned to play for his first club, Blackpool.[3] After leaving Blackpool, Bardsley played for Northwich Victoria.[2]

International career

Bardsley's international career started at youth level where he earned six England Youth International caps. Then progressing onto earning 4 England U21 caps. While at QPR, Bardsley was capped twice for England by his former club manager Graham Taylor during the 1992–93 season playing against Spain and Poland in a Friendly and World Cup Qualifier respectively.[4][5]

Retirement

After Northwich Victoria, Bardsley opened his own soccer schools. He subsequently moved to America and in March 2007 BBC Sport reported that he was the director of Ajax's academy in Florida.[5] His schools subsequently ended their association with Ajax, but continued to coach a couple teams until 2016.[2]

References
  1. Jones, Trefor (1996). Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 31. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  2. "Blast from the past". Queens Park Rangers FC. 29 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  3. Harris, Nick (6 August 1998). "'Yo-yo' clubs fight the Twilight Zone". The Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  4. "David Bardsley". Football Association. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  5. Bevan, Chris; Charles, Chris (8 March 2007). "Where are they now...Plymouth v Watford 1984". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
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