Les Bradd´s early days saw him playing in the non-league for East Sterndale, where his natural talent as a striker shone through. It wasn’t long before the professional clubs took notice, with Rotherham United being the first to offer the Buxton born player a chance in the Football League.
Bradd´s time at Rotherham may have been brief, but it was not without its quirks, as he managed to score the decisive goal against Notts County, the very club where he would go on to become a legend, in a League Cup tie in August 1967. And yet, despite this rare contribution, The Millers saw fit to part ways with him soon after, allowing him to move to Meadow Lane, where he would truly make his mark.
His arrival at Notts partly into the 1967-68 campaign marked the beginning of a remarkable career at the club, one that would see him play a pivotal role in County’s transformation from Fourth Division strugglers to a stable Second Division outfit under the astute management of Jimmy Sirrel.
When Bradd joined Notts County in October 1967, he stepped into a club that had seen brighter days and was, at the time, languishing in the lower reaches of English football. Yet, despite the struggles of his new surroundings, he wasted little time in making his mark, finishing the season as top scorer with 10 goals—an impressive return considering the team’s overall lack of firepower. However, individual brilliance could only carry a side so far, and Notts remained a team in transition, desperately searching for the catalyst that would spark a revival.
That catalyst arrived in the form of a certain Don Masson in September 1968, a player whose vision and technical prowess would prove invaluable in reshaping their fortunes. Masson’s ability to dictate play from midfield allowed Bradd to focus on what he did best—scoring goals. Consequently, County´s performances improved, and Bradd found himself the beneficiary of a more fluid and creative attacking setup, giving him the kind of service that all strikers crave.
However, it was in the 1970-71 campaign that Les Bradd truly flourished under the guidance of Sirrel. Notts were on an upward trajectory, and with Bradd leading the line, they had their sights set firmly on promotion out of Division Four. Skippered by Masson, the team displayed consistent form throughout the season and as it drew to a close, they sealed the Fourth Division title, much to the delight of their passionate supporters. As for Bradd, the industrious forward finished as the club’s top scorer with 14 league goals from 42 matches, his goal scoring exploits playing a decisive role in their climb to the Third Division.
Bradd’s 1971-72 campaign with Notts County was nothing short of a revelation. As the team returned to Division Three, they faced the demanding challenge of proving their credentials, and Bradd—finishing as top scorer with 21 goals—was more than up to the task. His performances were the catalyst for County’s fourth-place finish, showcasing his lethal eye for goal and ability to perform when it mattered most.
Not resting on his laurels, Bradd played an equally important role in Notts County’s return to the Second Division in the 1972-73 season after a 15-year absence, achieving his second promotion with the club. Besides this, Notts also made a memorable run in the League Cup, reaching the quarter-finals, where they eliminated two top-flight clubs, Southampton and Stoke City.
Despite interest from top-flight clubs like Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, Bradd’s loyalty to Notts County was unwavering. For the next four years, he continued to be the club’s leading scorer, finishing as top scorer in 1975/76 and 1976/77, the latter season in a joint effort with Mick Vinter. During this time, Notts County further solidified their position in the Second Division, consistently competing at a higher level than they had before. Their notable League Cup run in 1975/76, in which they reached the quarter-finals by defeating Sunderland, Leeds United, and Everton, added another chapter to Bradd’s story.
Perhaps one of Bradd’s finest individual performances came in the 1975/76 League Cup quarter-final replay against Everton. In front of a packed Meadow Lane, Bradd scored twice in a thrilling 2-1 victory, a performance that has since been etched into the memories of County fans as one of the club’s greatest. Bradd was more than just a goalscorer; he was a leader, a figurehead of a club on the rise, and a player whose passion for the game was matched only by his commitment to Notts County.
In 1978, at the age of 30, Les Bradd’s 11-year association with Notts County came to an end. After scoring 125 league goals and becoming a club legend, Bradd was sold to Stockport County. While his departure marked the end of an era for Notts County, it began a new chapter in Bradd’s footballing life. And, remarkably, it was at Stockport where Bradd would enjoy some of his most unexpected successes.
Stockport, then a club in the lower reaches of the Football League, quickly realised the value of Bradd’s experience and goalscoring prowess. Despite being moved to a more defensive role at times, Bradd still managed to score 31 league goals over a three-year spell at Edgeley Park. His performances were nothing short of remarkable, including a historic hat-trick against Barnsley, a game in which Stockport came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4. It was a display of resilience and finishing that typified Bradd’s career—a player who could deliver when it mattered most.
In addition to his exploits on the domestic front, Bradd also left his mark in the League Cup, scoring against Arsenal at Highbury in what was another memorable moment from his time at Stockport. But, as is often the case in football, time catches up with all players, and Bradd’s tenure at Stockport ended in 1981.
At the age of 33, Bradd’s career took another turn when he joined Wigan Athletic, a club that had only recently gained promotion to the Football League. Though the end of his playing days was approaching, Bradd’s experience proved invaluable to Wigan. In his first season with the club, he helped them to promotion to the Third Division, scoring 19 league goals in the process. His contribution was vital to Wigan’s success, and once again, Bradd found himself at the centre of a historic achievement.
The following season saw Bradd continue to contribute with a further five goals in 22 appearances. His brief loan spell at Bristol Rovers in 1982—where he scored in his only appearance—was to be his final foray into the professional game. At the end of the 1982-83 season, Bradd called time on a career that spanned over 17 years, having played for several clubs but always remaining synonymous with Notts County.