Bradport
| Full name | Bradport |
|---|---|
| Founded | ? |
| Ground | ?, North East, England |
| League | First Division |
Bradport are a fictional football team that appeared in British comics such as Roy of the Rovers, the Striker from Nowhere strip and Victor in the comic strip Mister Fix-It!.
History
1970s
The early 70s were shaped by Fred Cogger in the Victor comic strip Mister Fix-It! (issues 617 - 628). The handyman and Bradport supporter chanced himself into a trial and impressed Bert Barnes enough for the manager to add him to his pointless Division 4 side. Cogger insisted that Barnes also sign up his best pal Terry Smith, a young right winger. In 71/72 Bradport won promotion to the Third Division.
Bradport results 71/72 - Division 4
With Cogger and Smith firing Bradport rocketed to the First Division for the 74/75 season. Bob Brinkley their famous goalie provided a solid last line of defence. While Sam Bartlett was now the star forward, a great goalscorer reknowned for his heading ability. But the reds’ stay in the First Division was brief as the yo-yo unravelled downwards.
Back to back relegations in 76/77 and 77/78 saw Bradport back in the Third Division, but with the yo-yo in full motion, promotion was gained immediately, followed by another one immediately and all of a sudden Bradport were back in the First Division.
On 27 November 1976, Bradport as a top-flight club played Melchester Rovers away in the 4th Round of League Cup and lost 2-1 (Race, Dixon).
Amid that spectacular rise and fall and rise again, Bradport in the 78/79 season as a Third Division side managed to win the FA Cup in the The Striker From Nowhere comic strip. The man nicknamed the Striker From Nowhere, Don Kellett, fired Port to a famous win. Then promptly disappeared again. Where he came from only one man knew, manager Les Kilby, and he wasn't telling.
Bradport results 78/79 - Division 3
- 1979 FA Cup Final, Wembley: Bradport - Tellham United 2-1 (Kellert, Fraser)
Third-division Bradport beat top-flight Tellham United of England’s goalkeeper Danny Shilmence, scoring twice in the Final.
1980s
By 1980/81 Bradport were in the First Division in the Roy of the Rovers comic strip. Bradport became part of the history of Melchester Rovers as Roy Race, distracted by marital troubles, received a yellow card for a reckless tackle. This is a great moment, busting the myth that Race was never cautioned in his long career.
Bradport vs Rovers in 80/81 season
However, Bradport were relegated at the end of the 81/82 season spending the rest of the decade in the Second Division under the management of disciplinarian Brian Cowans.
Bradport were a real yo-yo team, but more in the sense of going up and down all four divisions through various comic storylines. In the 80s alone the team from the North East played in all four divisions and managed to win the FA Cup while a Third Division side.
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 2000/01 season. Info may be incomplete.
League
Cups
- FA Cup:
- Winners: 1978-79 (Striker from Nowhere)
Colours and kits
Colours were Red shirts, white sleeves, white shorts.
Rivalries
Stadium
Seasons
- 1971-72: Div4, Victor Mister Fix-It!
- 1976-77: ROTR Div1
- 1978-79: Div3, The Striker from Nowhere
- 1980-81: ROTR Div1
- 1981-82: ROTR Div1
Notable players
Bradport players, seasons and their positions:
- Goalkeepers: Bob Brinkley - 75/76 and Rufus Holden GK -72
- Right back (no2): Wilf Hart - 72
- Left Back (no3): Joe Fox - 72
- Centre back (no5): Alf Lester (Captain) -78/79
- Centre midfiled (no6): Bill Fraser -78/79
- Right winger (no7): Terry Smith -72
- Striker (11): Don Kellett -78/79
Bob Brinkley (goalkeeper) - 75/76, 76/77, 77/78
- Centre forward (9): Fred Cogger - 72 and Pollock -68/69
Fergus Green CF - 72
Sam Bartlett - 76/77
- Inside left (10): Stayne -68/69
- Inside Right (no8): Webster -68/69
- Unknown pos: Cowan -72
- Attacking midfielder (no7): Sam Bartlett - 76/77
Some of the club’s best players were:
Don Kellett The Striker From Nowhere- Fred Cogger Mister Fix-It!
- Terry Smith
- Sam Bartlett
- Bob Brinkley (goalkeeper)
Notable managers
- Brian Cowans (86/87)
- Les Kilby (late 70s)
- Bert Barnes (early 70s)
- Ian Smith (Coach late 70s)
