 It was a low-key debut in a 1–0 defeat.Nicknamed 'Rip', after Rip Van Winkle, by teammates because he was known for sleeping before games, Bradford was fiercely loyal to Bristol Rovers, even turning down an offer from manager Bill Shankly to take him to Liverpool in 1961.The highlight of his career came on 2 October 1955 when he made his first and only appearance for England.