Mark Bridge: A Wanderer, A King, and the NPL

Two-hundred and fifty plus professional matches, 2 Hyundai A-League Championships, 2 Hyundai A-League Premierships, AFC Asian Cup Championship, numerous club player of the year, accolades and awards that go beyond mention.

‘King Bridge’ has done it all and now embarks on a new chapter which presents a whole different world of challenges. Mark now steps the bridge to the heartbeat of Australian football, the National Premier Leagues.

Since March we have known that the Wanderers great would be hanging up his boots and gracing the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2 competition. There has been a buzz of anticipation since the beginning of the season and he prepares to join the fray at an almost perfect moment.

A Wanderer through and through, he will leave the Red and Black behind and don the Black and Yellow of Mounties as he gets set to lace up this weekend.

I caught up with the great man in between his now regular everyday life duties, dad in the car on the school run.

“It still feels a little bit weird, up until this week it felt like a normal off-season, now that I have started training with the team and the boys, it’s starting to be real and I am enjoying it.”

For a figure in the football community of such high regard, some may think things would fall into place easily. Whilst the squad have all been great at welcoming him, he will certainly be made to work for his place, as he mentioned, “fining me $100 for being a new player!”.

“The training standard has been good and it’s exciting. A new challenge. As you want to play, I didn’t want to come in and not play. If I need to work my way in because they are doing so well I need to work my way in, simple as that.”

Whilst so often there is concern and headlines about what is happening at the top, club football in this country is without a doubt the beating heart and the driver of the sport’s growth.

You have to venture back before the A-League existed to find evidence of Bridge plying his trade at club football. Local fans and juniors will finally get a chance to see their Wanderers hero within arm’s reach on the local park, so how does the Parramatta Eagles junior feel about his anticipated return.

“In terms of coming back to club football, I felt like a kid again, last night training in the rain and the mud, it brings back that love of the game.”

Bridge has experienced all the highs and lows as a professional, whilst he and so many alike had their doubts about the love of the game during their career, ending his tenure as a pro and returning to club level appears to have given him a fresh outlook.

“Last night hammered home the fact, yep I still love it and I am glad to be playing with and surrounded by guys that still enjoy the game.”

Mounties are in the midst of their best form this season with 3 wins on the trot, and the addition of Bridge to the squad adds a new level of goals in their attacking stocks. They have recruited well, already boasting former A-League players and could be pioneers in setting a new standard at club football.

“The standard surprised me, everyone sort of thinks that going down to NPL or NPL 2 the standard is not, there but the standard is definitely there”.

Recently, more and more former A-League stars have signed on at an NPL clubs with Corey Gamiero moving to St George City and it could be a sign that a real link is forming. It’s a win-win situation really, players can continue to play at a competitive level and clubs get the benefit of quality players to assist the next generation.

“I think there is going to be a push of older A-League players to come and help the younger players in NPL clubs, show what it takes and see what they have got to do to get to the next level.”

In what has seemed like an eternity, we could finally be set to see Bridge triumphantly stride back out onto the pitch this weekend.

Mounties face North Shore Mariners away at Northbridge Oval, an often tricky track and although he will be ready mentally, it’s a whole different ball game on the body.

“Going from grass to artificial, that’s going to be the biggest challenge initially, especially as the body is adjusting to it. As long as I do the right things off the pitch for the body I should be alright.”

Here’s hoping that that the body holds up over the week of training and club football is graced by Wanderers royalty.

NPL 2 Chief Writer – Marcus Flottmann

Twitter – @MarcusFlottmann