Phil Bardsley had a Premier League career most players could only dream of.
But now the former Manchester United, Sunderland, Stoke City and Burnley defender has embarked on an exciting new challenge. And it’s one, respectively, many onlookers will have not expected.
Bardsley, 37, signed for promoted Stockport County earlier this week on a free transfer.
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He has taken the leap of faith from playing in the Premier League to the prospect of playing in League Two. And for an added touch of class, the right-back has donated his wages to charity to help less fortunate than himself.
“You’re a long time retired, everyone kept telling me that,” reflects Bardsley, speaking exclusively to The Sportsman.
“I’m quite a fit lad. Don’t get me wrong, I do like a good night out now and again.
“But I’ve always kept myself in decent condition and looked after myself.
“I had interest from Stockport a few months ago, but I had a bit of a knee issue.
“I had a clean-up in my knee, so it stalled the process a little bit.
“I had a little bit of time away, we took the kids away in October, but as soon as I got back I started training with the club.
“I was using the facilities and the physios, and the performance guys, to try and get fit. And then over the last two or three weeks I’ve trained with the team.
“We put a deal together – and off we go!”
County owner Mark Stott was at the forefront to bring Bardsley to Edgeley Park, having previously persuaded a number of established Football League stars to embrace his vision for success.
Former Fleetwood striker Paddy Madden and ex-Bolton midfielder Antoni Sarcevic are two of the most well-known names currently starring for the Hatters, but Bardsley is the most high-profile arrival to date for the ambitious club.
“He’s [Mark] an outstanding fella, you only have to look at what he’s done with the club and the community,” adds Bardsley.
“And also what he’s trying to continue to do.
“I’ve come across a lot of entrepreneurs in the business sector throughout my career, but he’s the most down-to-earth guy I’ve ever come across in my life.
“And it doesn’t matter where you are in the food chain, he treats everyone the same. It’s a great quality of his.”
“The club is in a good vein of form at the minute. They’ve put some good wins together and had a good FA Cup run, everything’s looking really promising at the minute.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the owner.”
Bardsley signed for Manchester United when he was nine and then played for the club for a decade before making his senior debut against West Brom in 2003.
But with regular starter Gary Neville ahead of him in the pecking order he found first-team chances limited and played only 18 times over the course of the next five years.
It was little surprise the ambitious defender left Old Trafford after 15 years and signed for Roy Keane at Sunderland. It was in the North East where Bardsley’s career went from strength-to-strength.
“I always said I’d go until my legs fall off or until I want to stop, I never want the game to retire, me,” says Bardsley, who had a staggering 21 seasons in the Premier League and made 401 professional career appearances.
“But I think I know when the time will come when I think ‘that’s enough’, but I’ve still got plenty to offer.
“When I can’t keep up to the high levels I’ve managed throughout my career I’ll know it’s time to call it a day.
“But this is an exciting challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.
“I’ve always believed that if you drop out of the Premier League, of course it’s financially-different to other divisions.
“But I don’t think the gap is that massive between the Championship and League Two to be perfectly honest.
“It was a match made in heaven joining Stockport. The club is local to me, the owner has a great vision and the club wants to get to the next level.
“Hopefully I can be part of that.”
Hatters boss Dave Challinor certainly agrees, and says: “Phil has had an incredibly successful career at the very top of the football pyramid.
“His skill, experience and tenacity will be a huge asset to the club as we continue our campaign, and we look forward to welcoming him into the side.”
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