North Carolina FC coach pulled out of retirement, pressed into pro career
North Carolina FC assistant coach John Bradford didn’t expect to sign a professional contract to play soccer at 40 years old.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and USL protocols, the NCFC is operating with a limited number of players and staff. Bradford had already been stepping in to fill holes during training sessions and scrimmages. When discussions with head coach Dave Sarachan and Mike McGinty turned to what the team needed positionally, Bradford turned out to be the best fit, even though he’d gone straight into coaching after college.
“The way I look at it is — and I think that the other players on the team know — that as crazy as all the different times are right now, I just look at this as, if there’s anything I can do to help support and provide anything for the club that I care about so much, then I’m happy to do it,” Bradford said.
Though in his second season on Sarachan’s staff, Bradford has coached with the NCFC Youth Academy for seven years. A Winston-Salem native and Furman graduate, Bradford played for the U.S. under-17 National Team. During his sophomore year in 1999, Furman went on a post-season run beating North Carolina and Wake Forest on the way to an Elite Eight NCAA tournament matchup against Connecticut. Despite a 2-1 lead heading into the final 10 minutes, the Paladins lost 3-2.
Coming out of college, Bradford wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. He ended up getting a call from Ryan Higginbotham, who had been an assistant coach at Furman, asking if he would be interested in coaching for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club. Bradford had previously done some youth coaching and volunteer work in high school as well as at youth summer camps put on by Furman.
He and teammate Anthony Esquivel moved to Midland, Texas, to take jobs with the youth club. Bradford spent three years there before moving back to North Carolina to work with the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), now NCFC Youth.
“I think working with youth and seeing the potential that they have and ultimately seeing the time and dedication that they put in and the development opportunities we provide for them to make the most of it and then make the transition to professional soccer is I think part of the main reason that coaches are doing what we’re doing,” Bradford said. “For me, what we have is very special at NCFC Youth because not only are the kids talented, but it’s a positive culture and the kids are driven and it’s fun for me to be able to work with individuals and see them improve over time.”
Several current members of NCFC’s roster came through the academy and previously worked with Bradford. Now, they’ve had the chance to play alongside Bradford, though he says he could count the times he’s stepped on the field as a player on just one hand.
”We kind of laugh a little bit about it now but you know, it wasn’t a stunt,” Sarachan said. “He was dressed in the event that we needed another guy in the back to help us because we were so stretched thin, so it’s a testament to to John. I think, you know, I look back to my days as an assistant in all the teams I’ve been at where in a pinch I was able to jump on the field for 10 or 15 minutes to help with numbers. To have a guy like John in that capacity, where he’s first and foremost a coach but also can plug in here and there, is an added bonus.”
Bradford’s contractual appearance fee is $100, paid only if he plays in a game — which Sarachan said is unlikely as players return from injury and Bradford drops down the depth chart.
“I’m trying to negotiate with coach Sarachan,” Bradford said. “He can have $75 if he puts me on the field, and I’ll take the remaining $25 or something like that.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 2:56 PM.