 After his retirement, he opened football schools in England and the United States.Bardsley started with Blackpool in 1982 and subsequently moved to Watford in 1983 for £150,000 where he was noted for his pace, and played every game in Watford's run to the 1984 FA Cup Final, where they eventually lost to Everton.He played 121 matches in all competitions for Watford, scoring nine goals.