The Former Players Fund for ex-Carlisle United footballers has something special for a future auction.
Fans favourite Michael Bridges has donated a very important item – his boots that scored two memorable goals for the Blues.
“I actually found the boots I wore when I was here all those years ago, so I brought them back over from Australia with me.
“There’s a goal from Northampton and that goal from the Legends game in them, I’m going to leave them here and see what the lads can raise for the charity with them. I’ll miss them, but it’s a good cause,” he told the club website.
He also explained the Matt Le Tissier-style free-kick in last Sunday’s Legends game at Brunton Park.
“For my goal, I tried to replicate the Northampton one when I was playing for United.
“When we got the free kick last Sunday, Murph wanted to take it, but I asked him to let me have a go, so he ended up rolling it back to me for me to flick it up and see what happened.
“It was good to hear the roar of the crowd when it went in. One of my mates was in the crowd and filmed it, and it was nice to know they’re real mates because they didn’t celebrate, they just went ‘oh no!’ as soon as it went in, because they knew I was going to talk about it for ages,” he said.
Bridges was particularly pleased that so many of his former team-mates had supported the cause, helping ex-players.
“I think it’s fantastic that everybody is part of such a good cause. Football is marvellous when you’re a player, some players are lucky enough to be able to retire after they’ve played, but some players aren’t.
“The mental and financial struggles people can go through after playing, as well as all walks of life, can be difficult. It’s nice to know there’s something behind us and an option where players can help each other out.
“Obviously there’s a little bit of money and it can go towards different educational bits, but I think the main thing is for the mental mindset and knowing you’ve got people who actually care. I think it’s a fantastic option.”
Bridges, now 43, is planning to develop his coaching career in Australia where he has settled and actually has had managerial experience with the Edgeware club in New South Wales after playing 90 games Down Under for Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Lambton Jaffas.
He had three spells at Carlisle United, two of them on loan and he totalled 60 League appearances which brought him 26 goals.
