Thomas Henry (known as Harry) Bradshaw was the first man to win
international recognition while a Liverpool player, appearing at outside
left for England in their 6-0 win over Ireland at Nottingham in February
1897. It was to be his only cap but he did play for the Football League
and was one of the key figures in Liverpool's formative days.
The Merseyside-born forward, who also played at inside left and centre
forward, moved to Anfield from Northwich Victoria in 1893 and scored
on his debut in a 5-0 defeat of Arsenal. He scored a total of seven
goals in 14 appearances that season as Liverpool finished top of the old
Second Division and he added another in the Test match win over
Newton Heath (now Manchester United) that secured promotion.
He was top scorer with 17 goals the following season but could not
prevent Liverpool being relegated. A year later though, Bradshaw helped
Liverpool regain top flight status when he scored in the Test match
wins over Small Heath and West Brom after they had again finished top
of Division Two.
Brave and powerful, Bradshaw scored 54 goals in 138 senior outings for
Liverpool. He joined Tottenham in 1898 and then West Ham, both clubs
then in the Southern League, and also played for Thames Ironworks. He
was only 26 when he died in the closing days of the 19th Century, in
December 1899.
Well done
Fire one off B*O*S*H*
