Jerry
...Bridgwater profile
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Harry "Jerry" Bridgwater was predominately a back, but he did appear as a half back, forward line and even in goal during his Rovers career.
He made his debut for Rovers against Langley St Michaels in the Birmingham Combination on 3 April 1909. He had been playing in the Bromsgrove & District League for Marlbrook Swifts.
He played in the first game ever played at the Victoria Ground against Willenhall Swifts on 4 September 1909.
He made occasional appearances in the back line in his first couple of seasons. His appearances became more regular in the 1910/11 season, when he usually played in the half-back line.
He joined Austin Motor Works at the start of the 1911/12 season, and also played for Redditch Town, but he did make one appearance for Rovers on Boxing Day against Bournbrook.
He re-joined Rovers at the start of the 1912/13 Birmingham Combination campaign.
Towards the end of November 1912 he played for Stourbridge, but he was soon back playing for the Rovers.
He joined Redditch Town at the start of the 1913/14 season, but returned to the Rovers in November.
He played in goal for the Rovers on one occasion in January 1914, covering for Albert Moore, the regular keeper, who was ill.
He was captain in the ill fated 1914/15 season when the Great War had begun. The Rovers finished bottom of the Birmingham Combination.
After almost certainly serving his country during the war he was back in the side when the Birmingham Combination returned after the war in the 1919/20 campaign.
He played in the first 4 games of the season before suffering a nasty injury. It was so bad in fact that he was unable to follow his occupation. A benefit game was played for him on Christmas Day 1919 at the Victoria Ground, which raised £17 15s for him.
He played for Catshill Working Mens Club and Sidemoor United club in the revived Bromsgrove Junior League in the 1920-21 season.
He died on 10 June 1935 following a bout of pneumonia.
Stats:
1908/09: 5 appearances, 0 goals
1909/10: 2 appearances, 0 goals
1910/11: 15 appearances, 1 goal
1911/12: 1 appearance, 0 goals
1912/13: 14 appearances, 0 goals
1913/14: 17 appearances, 0 goals
1914/15: 20 appearances, 2 goals
1919/20: 13 appearances, 1 goal
TOTAL: 87 appearances, 4 goals
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D.O.D:
10/06/1935
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