SA Footy

Bridges hangs up boots

Newcastle Jets captain Michael Bridges has announced his retirement from professional football effective immediately.

The 32-year-old striker made over 200 appearances in the English Premier League, representing clubs such as Sunderland, Newcastle and Leeds.

Bridges, who joined the Jets in 2009, enjoyed a superb first year at EnergyAustralia Stadium, scoring six goals from 15 appearances and helping his side make a finals appearance the year after winning the wooden spoon.

Bridges became the club's first foreign-born skipper when he was appointed to the position at the start of 2010-11, but his campaign was hampered by an early knee injury and he never quite reached the heights of his first season with the Jets.

FOOTY TALK wrote:lucas pantelis signs with the phoenix for next 2 years.

Dogwatcher wrote:A good one to lose.
Are there any Adelaide boys left though?

cripple wrote:daniel mullen is the first one that comes to mind. maybe the returning osama malik. not much after that

mickey wrote:Central Coast have signed former South Melbourne, Perth Glory and Socceroo midfielder Con Boutsianis as a specialist coach for the upcoming season.. Mainly in the area of ball striking especially in the deadball situation.

On the downside, i wouldn't be surprised to see a few of the CCM squad on armed robbery charges if Boutsianis offers coaching in other skills he has learnt along the way ;)

Jim05 wrote:Brett Emmerton to be unveiled at Sydney today, great signing

on the rails wrote:A few rumblings from outside Sydney and Melebourne as to how those clubs are "paying" for Emerton and Kewell? I can tell you AU very unhappy given the scrutiny they have been under from the League re concerns private ownership and in particular Rob Gerards $$$ might given them an advantage outside the cap and rules re player and improt payments? Typical Eastern State double standards!

I hope the A-League is not trying to emulate the old NBL where the League Management "turned a blind eye" to the rorting of the salary cap, overseas qualification rules etc etc with the rosters?

Jim05 wrote:

on the rails wrote:A few rumblings from outside Sydney and Melebourne as to how those clubs are "paying" for Emerton and Kewell? I can tell you AU very unhappy given the scrutiny they have been under from the League re concerns private ownership and in particular Rob Gerards $$$ might given them an advantage outside the cap and rules re player and improt payments? Typical Eastern State double standards!

I hope the A-League is not trying to emulate the old NBL where the League Management "turned a blind eye" to the rorting of the salary cap, overseas qualification rules etc etc with the rosters?

Sorry but thats untrue.
ALL clubs have 2 marquee players - aussie and overseas, these 2 players are outside the salary cap ( which i believe every club is using 100% ) It is up to the individual clubs to find the money to buy these players. There is no stopping Adelaide United offering a $100mill contract to Wayne Rooney if someone puts up the cash. Obviously the Eastern states have more corporates willing to put their hands in their pockets.