Wayne Bridge

Born in Southampton but raised Winchester. Wayne attended Oliver's Battery Primary and Kings' Schools. He was recommended to Southampton by Micky Adams while playing for Olivers Battery F.C. and was subsequently signed as a trainee in 1996. He turned professional in January 1998 and made his first-team debut against Charlton Ath. on the opening day of the 1998/99 season. He started out as a left winger but moved to left back during the 1999/00 season and soon became a hit with his surging forward runs. He was an ever present as Saints again finished their first season at their new stadium (St. Mary's) comfortably in mid-table. His speed, skills and consistent play was rewarded when he was voted Southampton Player of the Year for the 2000/01 season. In his last season with Southampton he reached the final of the FA-cup which they lost 0-1 to Arsenal.

After five years with the Saints, Wayne was picked up by Chelsea during the summer of 2003 for a fee of £7 million plus Graeme Le Saux. He became a regular starter at Stamford Bridge and his most memorable moment probably came in the Champions League quarter final against Arsenal in 2003/04 when he scored the winning goal in the dying minutes of the game. The goal was later voted goal of the season. Injuries and the arrival of Asier del Horno made his place in the team more insecure. Wayne went on loan to Fulham and enjoyed a successful spell at Craven Cottage. When he returned to Chelsea his main competitor for the left back spot was now Ashley Cole and the latter seemed to gain the upper hand both for Chelsea and England.

In January 2009 Wayne decided to join Manchester City to fill the troublesome left back position. Chelsea agreed to let him go for £12m knowing that his playing options at Stamford Bridge was becoming limited. In is first half season he made a total of 22 appearances but struggled to unlock the offensive combination with Robinho on the left side of the City attack. Defensively he did better and it was only after he had to retract with a hamstring injury that City succumbed to Hamburg SV in the UEFA cup quarter final away leg in April 2009 when City eventually lost 1-3.

Playing Record:

LA = League Attendances. LG = League Goals.
FCA = FA Cup Attendances. FCG = FA Cup Goals.
LCA = League Cup Attendances. LCG = League Cup Goals.
ECA = European Cup Attendances. ECG = European Cup Goals.
TOA = Total Attendances. TOG = Total Goals