Arthur Bridgett - Sunderland

Arthur Bridgett

Sunderland & England | 1903–1912

Arthur Bridgett stands as one of the most complete and dependable footballers of Sunderland’s Edwardian golden age, a prolific winger-forward whose leadership, consistency and goal-scoring made him a central figure at Roker Park for almost a decade.

Born in Forsbrook, Staffordshire on 11 October 1882, Bridgett learned his football with local sides Burslem Park and Trentham before joining Stoke in October 1902. His stay there was brief but eye-catching, and after just seven appearances he was signed by First Division rivals Sunderland AFC in December 1902—a move that would define his career.

Bridgett made his Sunderland debut in a goalless draw with Sheffield United, quickly announcing himself by scoring at Grimsby Town in his following match. Nominally a winger, he possessed an exceptional eye for goal and the physical intelligence to drift inside, often operating as a striker when required. His finishing was calm and clinical, yet he was equally valued for his delivery from wide areas, supplying chances for fellow forwards—most notably fellow England international George Holley.

A commanding presence on the pitch, Bridgett became one of the club’s most trusted figures. In his first three full seasons the club finished third, sixth and fifth in the First Division. Individually, Bridgett’s impact was unmistakable: he was Sunderland’s top scorer in 1905–06 with 17 goals, and followed this with an outstanding 25 league goals the next season. Even as Holley later assumed the main scoring burden, Bridgett’s influence remained vital during strong league campaigns, including third-place finishes in 1908–09 and 1910–11.

Among his most memorable performances was a remarkable display at St James’ Park on 5 December 1908, when he scored twice in Sunderland’s famous 9–1 victory over Newcastle United—one of the most emphatic derby results in English football history.

Over ten seasons at Roker Park, Bridgett amassed 348 first-class appearances, including 320 Football League matches, scoring 116 goals in all competitions—placing him eighth on Sunderland’s all-time scorers list. He also won 11 England caps, making him Sunderland’s second most-capped international behind Dave Watson.

Bridgett left Sunderland in 1912 to become player-manager at South Shields, where his scoring prowess continued unabated, including 30 goals in the 1913–14 season. During the First World War he guested for Port Vale, memorably scoring twice against Manchester United in 1917, and remarkably returned to League football in his forties, scoring on his comeback for Vale in 1923.

Arthur Bridgett passed away on 26 July 1954 in Newcastle-under-Lyne. Today, he is remembered as one of Sunderland’s great Edwardian footballers: a captain, an England international, and a forward of rare balance—equally capable of creating goals as he was of finishing them.

Product details:

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• Size: A3, A4, A5
• Single Sided
• Paper: 400gsm premium art stock
• Print quality: Museum-grade, high-resolution
• Finish: Unframed
• Watermark shown in images does NOT appear on the final print
• Carefully packaged for safe delivery

A striking piece of football history — ideal for collectors, historians, and lovers of our national game.

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