This is one that the late, great Sir Bobby Robson certainly got wrong... Michael Bridges is a Geordie who was brought up supporting Sunderland and schooled at their Academy of Light. He made his debut for the Roker Park outfit in 1995 at the age of just 16 and would go on to be one of the sole shining lights in what was a pretty dark time for Sunderland on the pitch. A move to Leeds United then came about where Bridges was a mainstay in the young team that took the Premier League and Champions League by storm. However, his form would soon dip and an endless list of injuries meant he couldn't put enough minutes together on the pitch to rectify his dwindling career. After four seasons of pretty much nothingness, Sir Bobby took a punt on the former England U21 international as he tried to alliviate the striker crisis the club was suffering through (and to get rid of Newcastle turncoat Steve Caldwell who went the other way as part of the deal). Bridges would make six appearances before being relased from his Leeds contract and United in one fell swoop. Definitely one that will be remembered more fondly on Wearside...
