Alan Radford – Bridlington Town   

There aren’t many players who can claim to have scored the winning goal in a Wembley cup final but Alan Radford is disarmingly modest about the achievement.  

Alan Radford, who notched the winner for Bridlington Town in the 1993 FA Vase Final against Tiverton, was more pleased for his team-mates than himself. He said: “It was a great feeling because they were a great set of lads and we were the first Yorkshire team to win the Vase at Wembley.” 

Radford was part of the all-conquering Bridlington team which had flourished dramatically winning the Northern Premier League First Division title and were destined to wither just as quickly.  

But the Bridlington fans at Wembley that day had no inkling of the problems which would eventually lead the club to exile in Doncaster before folding. And neither had the players. 

Alan Radford was just determined to enjoy the experience. He said: Steve Brentano had played there before and he told me that if you blink it’s all over. He was right. Before kick-off I had a massive knot in my stomach and the game itself seemed to be over in a minute.” 

The tight contest was decided by the only goal of the game in the 64^th minute and though most memories of the big day are vague Radford can recall his winning goal.  

“Steve Brentano got the ball in the right-back position and knocked the ball up to me just inside our half. Then I just started running. I held the centre-half off and was going to pass but I saw the keeper was flat-footed and knocked the ball in the far post” 

And what is it like to score at Wembley? “I couldn’t breathe. The lads just mugged me and there was no oxygen coming through. It was a great moment and I was really pleased for the fans because they were a good bunch.”   

Following the Vase success things went downhill for Bridlington and behind the scenes strife saw the club leave their Queensgate ground and play a season in exile in Doncaster. It was the beginning of the end and the club quickly folded with Radford going on to play for Emley and Ossett Town before spending a number of years as manager of Northern Counties East side Brodsworth. 

With a well-earned reputation for unearthing talented young players Radford left Brodsworth to take up the assistants job at Unibond side Gateshead in December 2005 but spent only a season in the north east. 

Radford is now a gym and fitness instructor in South Yorkshire but is still involved unofficially with football. He said: “I’m always getting calls from youngsters asking if I can fix them up and have placed them with NonLeague and professional clubs. I also work with local youth services helping lads who have a few problems. If I can get some of those lads playing football that will be really worthwhile.” 

Alan Radford's Career In Nonleague Football

Born    Hull 1962 

Clubs    Pontefract Collieries 

          Ossett Town 

          Emley 

          Bridlington Town 

Brigg Town 

Guiseley 

Immingham Town 

Brodsworth Welfare (manager)

          Gateshead (assistant-manager)