Player-manager ‘sold himself’ to another team to save club from crippling debt

Ivor Broadis is a legend in English football but many haven't heard of the Carlisle United icon.

Revered on Wearside and the North East, Broadis enjoyed a 19-year career that included representing England 14 times. Prior to his footballing days, the Poplar-born man completed 500 flying hours in Royal Air Force Wellingtons and Lancasters during World War Two.

At the end of the war, Broadis was posted to Cumberland and earned a reputation for his footballing ability having turned out as an amateur for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Carlisle United. With the latter already aware of him, they proceeded to offer him the job of player/manager in 1946 at the age of 23 – which remains a Football League record to this day.

READ MORE: Gareth Southgate's England prepare for Euro 2024 with clashes against Brazil and Belgium

READ MORE: Raheem Sterling 'melts heart' of reporter whose mum's suffering with dementia

Broadis spent three years with the club – who were playing in the Third Division North – and while he never played league football before, he was a roaring success at Carlisle as he netted 52 goals in 91 games. In January 1949, Broadis decided to make history once again as he exercised his power as player/manager to sell himself.

His goalscoring abilities meant several clubs expressed interest in signing him with one of those sides being Sunderland, who at the time were known as the ‘Bank of England Club’ due to their superior spending power as The Black Cats eventually won the race for Broadis' signature.

Will we ever see a player/manager in the Premier League? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below

The club forked out £18,000 for the forward as the staggering fee helped Carlisle – who play their home games at Brunton Park – stay afloat following financial issues. In an interview in his later years, Broadis opened up about the historic transfer and why he chose Sunderland. He said: "Carlisle got £18,000 for me. It was an incredible amount in those days."

"All I did was exercise the right to be transferred. Blackburn, Man City and Preston were interested but only Bill Murray, the Sunderland manager, came to see me. That’s why I joined but it was the board who agreed the fee," he added.

Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more

The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!

Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.

To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!

No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Broadis earned £12 a week during his time on Tyneside where he scored 25 goals in 79 games. Despite being amongst the goals, the club narrowly missed out on the title in 1950 as they finished third – one point behind winners Portsmouth.

He went on to play for Manchester City and Newcastle before enjoying a second stint with Carlisle from 1955 to 1959.

Source: Read Full Article