Mason Bradshaw | Livin’ the Dream | #5
Livin’ the Dream is the third and final installment following the journey of Mason Bradshaw’s football manager career. His most recent role was with Braintree Town FC, in the Vanarama South, where he managed to keep them up. He’s now down under managing Sydney FC, living on the harbour with his wife Sophie, and young daughter, April.
In this update, Mason will play more league games, Mason writes a new blog post about the countdown to Christmas and there’s a shock departure at the Cricket Ground!
A trip to Melbourne!
After the disappointing semi-final defeat, Bradshaw’s men picked up their league campaign and headed to Melbourne to face title challengers, Melbourne City.
The odds were even, according to bet365, a draw was the most likely result. A warm-ish Tuesday night saw almost 12,000 people enter the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to watch the big match, and it never really lived up to billing…
Bradshaw’s men would be the happier of the two teams to come away with a road point, considering the home team were the more domiant side, but neither team created any real decent chance.
0-0, the final score.
A trip to the Toon (down under…)
After the nil-nil draw with Melbourne City, The Sky Blues faced another road trip down to Newcastle, although there was a lack of Geordie accent….
Facing up against the Newcastle Jets, the odds were massively in Bradshaw’s men favour, with bet365 offering 1-2 on a victory for the Sydney-based club, whilst 36-1 for a Newcastle Jets win.
Before the match, former Newcastle Jets striker, Emile Heskey, said “I don’t think it’ll be a slaughtering like the bookies are making out, but yeah, the favourites are Sydney.”
Despite the bookies stating a slaughtering was on the cards, the first half was even, with the deadlock remaining in place as the referee blew his whistle after the first 45.
However, in the second half, Sydney took caution to the wind and began committing men forward and scored two goals on the 55th and 77th minute respectively, both coming from Alex Brosque, which his tally up to 6 in 6.
EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Smith departs Sydney FC!
by Owen Daniels
Bradshaw and Smith were as close as they came, they worked together at Tranmere. Smith followed Bradshaw in his managerial merry-go-round, signing up as his assistant at Stirling, Ards and Braintree and joined his close friend when he jet-setted to become manager of Sydney FC, this time as a coach.
However, it was rationally announced last night, shortly after the 2-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets, that the veteran coach, would depart his role with immediate effect. Smith departed The Sky Blues just five months into his role.
Rumours are swirling about the reason of his departure, with numerous accounts on twitter speculating about a potential falling out between the two Scousers. Other sources, though, state it was always the intention for the 71 year old to depart before the Christmas holidays, to allow time with his family.
A club source declined to comment on the rumours of a falling out between Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Smith, but stated “Mr. Smith has left the club with immediate effect and will be returning to the UK.”
Another Melbourne team…!
Just weeks after playing Melbourne City, The Sky Blues faced another challenging game as they went head to head with Melbourne Victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The bookies were predicting an even game, with a draw being the most likely result at the odds of 4-1, however, ex-USA international, Freddy Adu, disagreed, stating “I think the bookies have got this wrong, I fancy a victory for the Victory.”
In the end, the bookies were wrong, and Adu was wrong, as The Sky Blues kept all three points in Sydney thanks to a Alex Brosque goal on the 24th minute which turned out to be the match winner. That makes it 7 in 7 for the 35 year old. Not bad, not bad at all.
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS!
Mason Bradshaw
Hello all! Welcome back to another blog post by Mason Bradshaw, the gaffer of Sydney FC.
Today is the 1st December which marks the start of Advent. The countdown to Christmas day, my daughter, April loves Christmas. So its all action go here.
Sydney have been very kind and said that my assistant can manage the two final games before Christmas. We are flying back to the UK to spend Christmas with my family and also Sophie’s. A big old English Christmas.
We are spending the holiday at a hotel in London, we arrive back at Heathrow at 10:20pm. Just in time for Christmas Eve.
I can’t wait to see all my family, and even though, she won’t admit it, I know Sophie is feeling the same.
I want to take this chance to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Spend it wisely, think of those alone this Christmas, and the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Enjoy the day with your family and your friends.
I’ll see you all again in 2019 for more high and lows. But most of all, some great memories along the way
May your Christmas be filled with love and joy, god bless
Mason, Sophie and April
The last few games before Christmas…
Christmas was nearly here. Just a couple weeks before Mason and family land back in the UK. First there was two more games to play, against Central Coast Mariners and Wellington respectively. Despite there being two more games before Christmas, Sydney FC announced that Mason’s assistant would take charge of these games. Mason would return to the UK.
Sydney were overwhelming favourites in both games, and despite the first game scoreline, the team never reached the top gear. 3 late goals in the first game got Bradshaw a 4-1 win against the Mariners and two goals in the first 6 minutes won the game against Wellington.
Mason is now off on a plane to UK…have a good time gaffer!
Mega Project was a unique Football Manager experience. It featured Mason Bradshaw, a rookie manager who never played professionally, who attempted to climb the football ladder from the first job to becoming a world-class manager. Mega Project was something that was never been done before as we looked from all angles, from Mason himself, the clubs, his family and friends, colleagues, the world of football and more. Mason is now livin’ the dream down under as manager of Sydney FC.
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