Bradbury back in management

Former AFC Bournemouth defender, striker and manager Lee Bradbury has returned to football management with Havant & Waterlooville.

Journeyman striker Bradbury initially joined the Cherries as a player in September 2007 making an immediate impact on his debut scoring both goals in a 2-0 win against Walsall in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

Bradbury went on to feature in a further 26 games for then manager Kevin Bond's Cherries, however on paper his 3 goals didn't reflect the new found lease of life as a right back.

He was a big part of the Cherries avoiding relegation out of the Football League and the following seasons promotion winning campaign, playing in a variety of positions.

In January 2011 he was named as caretaker manager following the departure of Eddie Howe to Burnley and stated that he would retire from football while he was manager.

After impressive performances away at Rochdale and at home to Brighton, Bradbury was announced as the permanent manager on 28th January 2011 and led the side to the League One Play-Offs, eventually losing to Huddersfield on penalties.

He was sacked the following season at the end of March after a poor run of results with the side in the bottom half of the table.

Last month Bradbury returned to football coaching with League One neighbours Portsmouth, joining their academy to coach the under-14's side.

A statement on havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk read...

'The Club would like to welcome Lee Bradbury as the New 1st team Manager for Havant and Waterlooville Football Club. Lee will be introduced to the team for the first time at the Thursday night training session and have his first game in charge on Saturday against Basingstoke Town...'

'...The Club are delighted to have secured the services of a young and proven manager who also had a distinguished playing career. Lee had two spells at local rivals Portsmouth making a total of 153 appearances for Pompey. Lee was the subject of a then Club record signing of £3M when he left the south coast to sign for Manchester City. Other Clubs the powerful striker played for include; Crystal Palace, Walsall, Oxford United, Southend United before finishing his playing career at Bournemouth.

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