John Brayford

[BushBlade]

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...-on-his-departure-from-bramall-lane-1-8755438

Pleased to hear a direct quote from Brayford over his time with us. I was thinking when he left that he might say something but as he ended his twitter account we lost the most likely chance to hear his thoughts. I'd personally have liked Radio Sheffield to do an interview but the above article from the Burton Mail, which the Star have copied, is decent. I can't think of any other player in my time supporting United that was so popular at one point and then went to been public enemy number one - whilst still at the club - for many fans at least, largely because of circumstances beyond his control, such as the transfer fee, wages, the fact Clough became unpopular and Clough loved Brayford, and finally the injuries he has sustained.

I really hope he gets a great reception when he returns with Burton, he definitely deserves it and I think its a real shame it ended the way it did. I'm not faulting Wilder either here, I totally get managers come in and don't always fancy the players they adopt, whether that be at the beginning or as the new manager goes on in their spell.

I don't think he ever became public enemy no.1 with most Blades. I wouldn't put too much stock in the few comments on here from people spouting off. Ale and bile.

 

[Booker4]

Under settlement agreements, there is usually a clause that prevents either party bad-mouthing the other. That said, on the transfer deadline video of Wilder, they seemed to part company on good terms.

I noticed the handshake, but couldn't see who Brayford was actually shaking the hands of!? Either way, I think both understand the situation and are too professional to criticise each other personally, its football as John says.

 

[Booker4]

I don't think he ever became public enemy no.1 with most Blades. I wouldn't put too much stock in the few comments on here from people spouting off. Ale and bile.

No, but I think he was viewed as a drain on our resources and somehow that was his fault?! He gave his all and sadly his injuries were long not short.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I don't think he ever became public enemy no.1 with most Blades. I wouldn't put too much stock in the few comments on here from people spouting off. Ale and bile.

And failure to take their Ritalin.

 

[Rodders]

Unfortunately for Brayford, he represented the fur coat and no knickers approach that typified United in the first 5 years of Lg1 until we got a proper manager in.
I always thought he was a decent enough player; like most of the class of 13/14 I did think that he'd never quite be able to re-create that form (see Flynn, Harris, Baxter etc) but was still good enough to be considered part of the squad. For me though, he was done as a marauding full back he used to be; if he wasn't going to get a game for us at CB, then it's best we got rid.

 

[Bayingblade]

Wish JB all the best. Lived just round the corner from me and drank in the local pub. Really nice guy, no airs or graces, not flash (drove an old Land Rover and an old mini!) and happy to pass the time of day. Top lad.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Why is John Brayclough still being talked about? We have more talented players, players with better character and are playing in a better division. Don't really see the point in fixating on a one-season has-been quite frankly.

 

[northsomersetblade]

 

[I should coco]

Why is John Brayclough still being talked about? We have more talented players, players with better character and are playing in a better division. Don't really see the point in fixating on a one-season has-been quite frankly.

Way off beam there Tyler.

If we can talk about Bobby Ford, Simonsen and Porter, then someone who actually gave us a few wonderful months of joy, always deserves our thanks.

You are right we have moved on but you may have noticed that Salmons, Cockerill and Bryson don't make the team much either. Like Brayford, they weren't our best ever players but they tried bloody hard and gave us some great times.

Sometimes it is best to say....... ...nothing*



* A skill I'm slowly trying to acquire too.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Under settlement agreements, there is usually a clause that prevents either party bad-mouthing the other. That said, on the transfer deadline video of Wilder, they seemed to part company on good terms.

The two of them also had a meeting before that which the Bleacher reporter wasn't allowed into (was mentioned by either the reporter or Wilder in the subsequent interviews).

 

[stringer]

I noticed the handshake, but couldn't see who Brayford was actually shaking the hands of!? Either way, I think both understand the situation and are too professional to criticise each other personally, its football as John says.

The video doesn't show him shaking hands with Tufty; one's an analyst and another member of the backroom team, but they left on decent terms

 

[Sean Thornton]

Wish JB all the best. Lived just round the corner from me and drank in the local pub. Really nice guy, no airs or graces, not flash (drove an old Land Rover and an old mini!) and happy to pass the time of day. Top lad.

You can't say that. He was or rather is, of bad character. People on here who've never met him assured us many many times. Sadly, yet again Chris Wilder lied about this as well, club patsy that he is.

Clough had our pants down. I'm surprised there hasn't been fatalities......

 

[Tyler Durden]

Way off beam there Tyler.

If we can talk about Bobby Ford, Simonsen and Porter, then someone who actually gave us a few wonderful months of joy, always deserves our thanks.

You are right we have moved on but you may have noticed that Salmons, Cockerill and Bryson don't make the team much either. Like Brayford, they weren't our best ever players but they tried bloody hard and gave us some great times.

Sometimes it is best to say....... ...nothing*



* A skill I'm slowly trying to acquire too.

Except I'm not questioning his abilities.

I'm talking about a man so devoid of character and professionalism that he doesn't play unless his daddy is watching him from the dugout.

Anyway, that dark and horrible era is over so I'll rejoice in the fact we now have a squad of players with real integrity, playing under a good manager. Lord knows we've waited long enough for that.

Happy days.

 

[Th!stledo]

If we did subsidise Brayford's wages last season and also had to pay a some to end his contract, then it would seem unlikely we saved a deal from bringing in a replacement and their wages.

There would seem to be reasons why his face did not fit with our current set up. It does not mean anyone is to blame and just further proves the point that CW looks for more than just ability from players in his squad.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

I think the problem was more that Mr Wilder is very big on his lads mixing and becoming one big family, and on his past record who's going to argue that he's wrong ?
Unfortunately John is a loner so I would think it was just a personality thing.... .

 

[TTMeysh]

Found my son's Brayford mask from the cup run the other day when doing a clear-out. Bit sad, really. Though not as sad as if he'd gone for the Chris Porter.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I bear Brayford no ill will at all. Hope (aand think) he will get a good reception when he comes back

Was terrific for us on loan and before his injury - then came back into a struggling side. Played out of position, whilst overcoming his lengthy spell out for us but never saw him give less than 100%.

Think the relationship with wilder probably wasn't the best (which happens) and the decision to ship him out signalled the end of his time here. Was fighting a losing battle given the contract he was on and our finances.

Was all for keeping him as cover before we got CCV and henegan (and baldock and freeman) in but now we are covered in defence so a move was before for all parties.

IMO - his only crime was just not quite living up to the form when he was here on loan.

 

[Bladesman]

I think the problem was more that Mr Wilder is very big on his lads mixing and becoming one big family, and on his past record who's going to argue that he's wrong ?
Unfortunately John is a loner so I would think it was just a personality thing.... .

Yeah he does seem like the sort of bloke who is quiet and does his own thing. Shame he went off Twitter though, his girlfriend was hot.

You can't say that. He was or rather is, of bad character. People on here who've never met him assured us many many times. Sadly, yet again Chris Wilder lied about this as well, club patsy that he is.

Clough had our pants down. I'm surprised there hasn't been fatalities......

Brayford probably punched a child in the kidneys or something.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Wish JB all the best. Lived just round the corner from me and drank in the local pub. Really nice guy, no airs or graces, not flash (drove an old Land Rover and an old mini!) and happy to pass the time of day. Top lad.

Here here.

Good luck JB, you gave us a hero when we needed one and we were low, you and picked us up and gave us a lift that a lot of tossers over the previous years could not manage..

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Here here.

Good luck JB, you gave us a hero when we needed one and we were low, you and picked us up and gave us a lift that a lot of tossers over the previous years could not manage..

There's a dialogue in a play (Brecht?) that goes something like this:
'Pity the land that has no heroes.'
'No; pity the land that needs a hero.'
As you say, we needed a hero then; now we have a team, we don't need individual heroes.

 

[Snowman]

 

[BushBlade]

There's a dialogue in a play (Brecht?) that goes something like this:
'Pity the land that has no heroes.'
'No; pity the land that needs a hero.'
As you say, we needed a hero then; now we have a team, we don't need individual heroes.

That ^^^

After we signed the misogynistic cunt King I was done with the Blades. My mate persuaded me to go to Fulham at the Lane. His performance that day reignited my passion for United. I went to the replay and I was as hooked as I was when I was a kid watching King Edwards score against Wrexham in 82.

Ultimately it didn't work out but I'll never forget that and the cup run that brought me firmly back into the fold.

It was daft business but football isn't just about business ffs, it's about pride and passion. You can argue about the minutiae of Clough and Brayford but they gave us that; pride and passion. We recognised that at Wembley. We've now moved on and under Wilder and Knill have truly got our club back. But players like Brayford, Scougall, even Baxter shouldn't be forgotten; they gave us moments of pleasure during a shit time to be a Blade. I'm grateful for that. I might not be posting otherwise.

 

[AWetFlannel]

That ^^^

After we signed the misogynistic cunt King I was done with the Blades. My mate persuaded me to go to Fulham at the Lane. His performance that day reignited my passion for United. I went to the replay and I was as hooked as I was when I was a kid watching King Edwards score against Wrexham in 82.

Ultimately it didn't work out but I'll never forget that and the cup run that brought me firmly back into the fold.

It was daft business but football isn't just about business ffs, it's about pride and passion. You can argue about the minutiae of Clough and Brayford but they gave us that; pride and passion. We recognised that at Wembley. We've now moved on and under Wilder and Knill have truly got our club back. But players like Brayford, Scougall, even Baxter shouldn't be forgotten; they gave us moments of pleasure during a shit time to be a Blade. I'm grateful for that. I might not be posting otherwise.

Strongly agree. Wasn't one blade at Preston away not singing his name when we re-signed him even knowing his price, bloke was as clear a hero as we had in those dark days, all be it for a short time.

 

[Grappler]

Classic

 

[stringer]

That ^^^

After we signed the misogynistic cunt King I was done with the Blades. My mate persuaded me to go to Fulham at the Lane. His performance that day reignited my passion for United. I went to the replay and I was as hooked as I was when I was a kid watching King Edwards score against Wrexham in 82.

Ultimately it didn't work out but I'll never forget that and the cup run that brought me firmly back into the fold.

It was daft business but football isn't just about business ffs, it's about pride and passion. You can argue about the minutiae of Clough and Brayford but they gave us that; pride and passion. We recognised that at Wembley. We've now moved on and under Wilder and Knill have truly got our club back. But players like Brayford, Scougall, even Baxter shouldn't be forgotten; they gave us moments of pleasure during a shit time to be a Blade. I'm grateful for that. I might not be posting otherwise.

What a superb post. Nice one BushBlade

 

[MCRBlade]

Watching the Villa game, Brayford playing for Burton. Seems to have shaved his head completely. Looks a different bloke!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Watching the Villa game, Brayford playing for Burton. Seems to have shaved his head completely. Looks a different bloke!

Last time he played for the Blades he was like a different bloke.

 

[MCRBlade]

Last time he played for the Blades he was like a different bloke.

You’re not wrong

 

[Davalon]

Watching the game and googled Squinny to see how old he is now.

Keith Quinn popped up so clicked on his pic to see what he's up to.

Despite being seen as the most talented of all the brothers when young by some, he played a few games for a variety of Irish clubs after leaving us and packed in in his mid 20s.

Worse still he's just been arrested for heroin trafficking ☹

 

[Zipwire]

This is a great thread to bring back up.

I think the passage of time means it is a good time to reappraise his career at United.

He came in at a time when we were abysmal, at the bottom of League One, and Clough was struggling to get us going, and as Brayford alluded to, he had gone to Cardiff on a big money move that hadn't worked out and wasn't in a good place mentally.

He came to Bramall Lane, seemed to genuinely fall in love with the city, the club and the fans, and it was the catalyst for him to suddenly look every inch a Premier League quality right back, and he was a key figure in a dramatic turnaround for us, that saw us rack up about 10 straight wins and a memorable run to the FA Cup semi-final. It was one of the fleeting moments where everything just clicks, and we took to him just as much as he took to us.

When he came back to the club the following January, he was on big money for League One at the time even though he had taken a substantial wage cut, it wasn't the same place, the upward momentum hadn't carried on from the previous season, the squad had be supplemented by a job lot of bang average lower league journeymen, and he was often played out of position at centre-half, and his season ended with him doing his ACL in the play-offs against Swindon, an injury he got up after and tried to play through.

The following season he came back around December, painfully struggled to find fitness and form in a dreadful Adkins team and when Chris Wilder came in, he was effectively sacrificed because of his wages, and once we had got promoted to the Championship, Wilder didn't think he was right for us and he got the move back to Burton, working for a manager he played all his best football for.

I think he should always be remembered for what he was, a real cult hero when we needed a cult hero,