Bridges told his team this afternoon, making reference to a future career with the Newcastle Jets and Tinkler Sports Group:
“After great consideration it was a difficult to decision to make. However the opportunity to enter the next phase of my life is one that is too exciting not to take now whilst it is being offered.”
The Englishman will continue with the Newcastle Jets after accepting a position with the club as International Football & Business Development Manager.
“The opportunity to help develop the next group of Footballers for the Jets and to join the Tinkler Sports Group is really appealing,” said the former marquee.
Michael Bridges career
Bridges emerged as a young striker with Sunderland in the 1996-97 season, experiencing relegation and promotion with the Black Cats. Leeds United came calling in 1999, signing the striker for £5 million as they unleashed massive spending for Premiership and European glory.
Bridges scored 19 goals for Elland Road in his first season, taking Leeds to third place and qualification for the Champions League.
Then came the injuries. In a tie against Besiktas, he was seriously injured in a Champions League tie, and failed to score in Bridges’ career came to a grinding halt and he never scored again for Leeds over four miserable season.
He was shopped to Newcastle and Bolton, back to his former team Sunderland, as well as Bristol City, with Bridges unable to stay fit for any length of time.
Finally, by the 2005/06 season, Bridges helped Carlisle United gain promotion from League Two, scoring 15 goals. Hull signed Bridges for 350,00 pounds, but he was unable to find a place in the first team.
Bridges took a short spell in the A-League for Sydney FC in 2007 to get game time, a spell that lasted nine games with two goals for the Sky Blues. However, again, despite much promise, that stretch was cruelled by a virus infection and he struggled to find game time under John Kosmina.
On return to England, Bridges found himself without regular game time for Carlisle United, and moved clubs to Milton Keynes Dons but played for just three weeks.
This is where Bridges decided to return to Australia to trial for the Newcastle Jets in 2009. Initially trialling with the club to earn a contract, Bridges signed with the club on the 30th September to play for the remainder of the 2009/10 season for the Jets, immediately impressing.
The striker signed for two additional years on the 2nd of December 2009, and was installed as captain on July 22nd, 2010, the first international captain for the club.
Jonathan Hugman
Guest
Its a shame he has retired so early as he clearly gifted loves playing. Best wishes for the future.
damos_x
Guest
Doesn't sound like much of a shock if he has been injured so much.
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Its a shame about his chronic knee problems and having to retire. Bridge has been a great player for the A-League and gave his all. I remember when he first starred for Sydney FC, he set the game alight and scored some magnificent goals. I wonder if at any time in his career he wouild have thought he was heading down under to play in the A-League and finish up as Newcastle Jets' International Football & Business Development Manager. Thanks also to Nathan Tinkler who once again shows he is serious about establishing Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights as professional football establishments by offering someone like Bridges a peremanent job to stay at the club. With the attitude Bridges has and his personality and work rate, I can see it won't be long before he makes a move into football management and who knows a managerial spot back in the EPL some day.
Colin N
Guest
It's a huge shame because he was a very promising player, but if I was being criticial, he went to Carlisle after years of suffering with injury problems, but he suddenly had a run of games and performed excellently. Therefore, It probably would have been better to stay with the club instead of heading to Hull which was the start of his final decline. Although the money was better (and I shouldn't begrudge someone for seeking a more beneficial financial package), I felt he owed Carlisle a bit more and he just seemed well suited there.
Titus
Guest
Lost the battle with injuries I guess. Good to see he will stay with the club and interesting to see if they get another marquee to play alongside Culina, could be a good year for the Jets.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Gee that's bad luck for the lad. He did well for the Jets and the HAL ..