Julian Broddle

Julian Raymond Broddle (born 1 November 1964) is an English former professional footballer who played as a left back.

Julian Broddle
Personal information
Full name Julian Raymond Broddle[1]
Date of birth (1964-11-01) 1 November 1964
Place of birth Laughton-en-le-Morthen, England
Position(s) Left back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1983 Sheffield United 1 (0)
1983–1987 Scunthorpe United 134 (32)
1987–1990 Barnsley 77 (4)
1990 Plymouth Argyle 9 (0)
1990–1992 St Mirren 59 (2)
1992–1993 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 6 (0)
1992 Partick Thistle 5 (0)
1993–1996 Raith Rovers 73 (1)
1996 East Fife 6 (0)
1996–1997 Ross County 29 (0)
Total 399 (39)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Broddle began his professional career with Sheffield United and won promotion with the club in 1981–82, although played just once for the first team. In 1983, he moved to Scunthorpe United, where he would become one of Scunthorpe's top 25 scorers of all time over a four-year period.[2] Broddle scored his very first goal against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on his Birthday, and went on to score 50 goals in his career. A three-year spell with Barnsley followed in 1987 before a year at Plymouth Argyle having been sold to Plymouth Argyle by Barnsley for £16000. In December 1990, Broddle moved to Scottish side St Mirren, spending eighteen months with the Paisley outfit. During his time at Love Street, he had a brief loan spell back at Scunthorpe United before returning to Scotland and joining Partick Thistle until the end of the season.

Broddle moved to Kirkcaldy with Raith Rovers in July 1993 and started the most successful period of his career. In his three years with Rovers, Broddle suffered relegation from the Premier Division but won the resulting First Division, with a League Cup win in between. Broddle was also part of Raith's only season in Europe where Raith Rovers beat two European clubs before going out to the eventual winners, Bayern Munich. After being released at Raith Rovers when the management changed, Broddle had a short spell with East Fife, where East Fife gained promotion, not losing a single game during the time Broddle played for Steve Archbolds team. Broddle spent the remainder of his career, at Ross County. Broddle's affinity with Raith Rovers was demonstrated in 2005 when he put his name forward to help during Raith's financial struggle.[3]

Broddle retired in 1998 after having played 399 league matches during his career, and including FA Cup and League Cup, scored a total of 50 goals. He became a policeman, and was put forward for commendation in December 2001 after saving the life of a teenage girl.[4] Broddle received further commendation for "courage and commitment during routine duties" after his police car was attacked in Farnworth in 2008.[5] This award, along with many others acquired over the years, are he states, very proud of all awards he has been given.

Outside football

After ending his playing career, Broddle joined the police service. Broddle has served with Greater Manchester Police, Nottinghamshire Police and South Yorkshire Police.

Since leaving the police service, Julian Broddle has written an autobiography of his football and police career called Down the Line. The book became a best selling book in 2017 even knocking Sir Alex Ferguson off the number one spot in the World rankings.

Honours

Sheffield United
1981–82

Raith Rovers
1994–95
1994–95

Promotion with East Fife 1995.

References
  1. "Julian Broddle". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  2. "All-time leading goalscorers". Scunthorpe United FC. 6 August 2007.
  3. "Let's reclaim the Rovers". Fife Today. 22 June 2005.
  4. "Hero cop saves drowning girl". Manchester Evening News. 5 December 2001.
  5. Scott, Tracey (16 February 2008). "PC faced gang attack". Bolton News. Archived from the original on 4 May 2008.
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