Anyway, getting back to the point, Bridges was the next big England hopeful back in 1999 when he emerged through the Sunderland ranks and was snapped up by Leeds United for £5million - and for once, it seemed good business by the Elland Road outfit.

But a promising start in Yorkshire was ended on October 18th, 2000, during a Champions League tie in an uncomfortable and tense away trip to Besiktas, when his studs caught in the turf and he ruptured knee ligaments.

He never fully recovered, and five years later, after an assortment of comebacks and setbacks, not to mention just a handful of appearances, Bridges was loaned out to Newcastle, then moved on to Bolton - the slide had begun.

A season in the Championship back at Sunderland saw him released and he dropped even lower, joining Carlisle United in League One, yet still only 27.

But Bridges has fought back. Hull picked him up for £350,000, and he boosted both fitness and form playing in Oz with Sydney FC, but the ultimate prize was being part of the squad that saw City back into the Premier League, confirming that Bridges had moved full circle and was back in the big time.

It should prove an inspirational story for anyone battling against adversity, and Open Goal hereby salutes Bridges and wishes him all the best for the coming season.

And that's where this diary entry ends, not least because Bridges has accepted another loan deal at Carlisle and is technically a League One player again, but never let the truth get in the way of a good story, eh?

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