Joe Bradford

Joseph Bradford (22 January 1901 – 6 September 1980) was an English footballer who played as a centre forward. He spent the majority of his career with Birmingham, and remains the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 267 goals from 445 appearances in all competitions. Bradford also played 12 times for England, scoring seven goals.

Early life Bradford was born in Peggs Green, Leicestershire.

Club career

Birmingham Bradford made his first-team debut for Birmingham on Christmas Day 1920 and scored in a 1–1 draw away to West Ham United. He played three more league matches that season as the club won promotion to the Football League First Division. Over the next 15 seasons, he became Birmingham's all-time leading goalscorer, topped the club's scoring charts in all but one First Division season between 1921–22 and 1932–33, and if goals in all competitions are counted, he was top scorer in all twelve of those seasons.

Bradford helped the team reach the 1931 FA Cup Final, and scored Birmingham's only goal as they lost 2–1 to West Bromwich Albion.

International career Bradford made his debut for England on 20 October 1923 in a British Home Championship match against Ireland. He went on to earn 12 caps between 1923 and 1930, scoring seven goals. He also played five times for a representative Football League XI, for which he once scored five goals in a match against the Irish League XI.