John Braddish joins the Centurions following some time away from the
professional game. Despite his lack of involvement with professional rugby
league he has been playing for Warrington based amateurs Bank Quay Bulls
over recent months while also trying his luck in rugby union with Sale
Sharks reserve side.
The former Crosfields junior signed for St Helens in 1998 and became a
mainstay in the Knowsley Road Academy ranks. He finished as Saints top point
scorer at Academy level in 2000 and was tipped to be a future first team
halfback. He finally got chance to show what he could do in the first team
during a Boxing Day friendly at Wigan ahead of the 2001 season. In that game
he crafted two tries, scored one, and kicking two goals.
Another season of consistency in the Saints Academy was finally rewarded in
August 2001 when he finally made his Super League debut at Warrington. In an
exciting 28-28 draw at Wilderspool, Braddish appeared as a substitute.
During that debut he had three attempts at goal only for each one to be
waved away by the touch judges.
With Sean Long and Tommy Martyn blocking his path to regular first team
rugby, John was loaned to Oldham for the 2002 season. During that close
season, Leigh made enquiries about the Saints halfback but nothing
materialised. Whilst with Oldham, Braddish made 23 appearances including one
against St Helens in the Challenge Cup where he kicked one goal against his
employers.
A chronic injury list before the Challenge Cup Final saw John recalled from
Oldham for one game. He made his only starting appearance for the Saints in
a 22-54 thrashing at Bradford during which he created a try and kicked three
goals.
Upon his return to Oldham, John cemented himself near the top of the club
point-scoring chart. Braddish finished that season with 156 points to his
name, consisting of 7 tries, 63 goals and two drop goals.
Braddish then enjoyed another consistent season in 2003. By this time he had
moved on to Chorley where he worked with former Leigh coach Darren Abram. He
played 27 games for the Lynx in 2003, starting eighteen. One of those was
against the Centurions and Braddish, playing scrum-half inspired and cajoled
his side to a surprise 31-22 victory, adding a drop goal that all but killed
Leigh off.
Braddish then linked up with Bobbie Goulding and Darren Shaw at Rochdale and
went on to make 38 appearances over two years for the Hornets, scoring 13
tries and kicking 39 goals.
John possesses a good field and place kicking game, great communication
skills and a varied passing game that is sure to serve Leigh well in 2007.
