Former Aberystwyth Town striker Tom Bradshaw looking to step up for Cymru
New Wales badge on the Cardiff City bench. Wales v Belarus International Challenge Match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Former Aberystwyth Town forward Tom Bradshaw is looking forward to bringing his rich vein of form into the upcoming Cymru qualifiers.
Bradshaw started his career at Park Avenue, and while he only made a handful of appearances for the Seasiders, the forward certainly has fond memories of West Wales.
“That really does feel like a lifetime ago now. It’s funny because Sgorio tagged me in an Instagram post, and the number of messages I got from people saying they barely recognised me was incredible!
“I was only 15 or 16, but they were great days. They were days before football had an added pressure to it, because I was in sixth form doing my schoolwork and then training Tuesday and playing on a Saturday, playing men’s football.
“I look back and I was tiny and small, I don’t know how I did it. Even the goal I put up on my Instagram, I think that’s the last time I chopped a defender and put it in the net, ever since then it’s been tap ins!
“They were great days and there was a great set of lads around me at that time. I was lucky enough to kick on from there to sign for Shrewsbury.”
After leaving Aberystwyth, Bradshaw headed to Shrewsbury, Walsall and Barnsley, but has found a real home at The Den playing for Millwall.
This season has been a standout for the striker, scoring 13 goals in the Championship, and his hoping he can keep his hot streak going for Cymru.
“I want to take my club form into this camp and into these games. Any player will tell you that when they’re feeling confident, you’re not overthinking anything, you’re just enjoying your football, and that’s what I want to bring to this camp.”
This is the first time Bradshaw has been part of the Cymru Cup since the China Cup in 2018, and he was very close to being part of the EURO 2016 squad, but an injury in the training camp leading up to the tournament ruled him out of action.
Now 30-years-old, Bradshaw knows chances at his age don’t come around too often, and he’s eager to grab the chance given to him with both hands.
“I think you always think that if you play well and consistently enough, there’s always a chance. That’s something that, I wouldn’t say was in the forefront of my mind every year because it had been a while.
“It was something I wanted to achieve, to get back in the Wales squad and try and make an impact for my country. I wanted to play consistently for Millwall, score goals and then that put me in a position to potentially get picked and when I got the phone call I was over the moon.”
If selected to play against Croatia, the current Lion will come against one of the hottest prospects in world football, RB Leipzig’s Joško Gvardiol.
However, Bradshaw doesn’t fear coming against pacey centre back, and cannot wait to test himself against the world’s best.
“Any professional player wants to test themselves against the very best. Ultimately that’s how you find where your limits are.
“I’ve always wanted to test myself against the best, and this is a good opportunity, if I get the chance, to see how I compare.
“Any striker will tell you if they’re high on confidence they can score against anyone. That’s something I feel like I’m bringing this campaign and hopefully I get the chance and nick a goal.”
