Jack Bradford worked on his father’s farm as a lad while playing for the local Pegg’s Green Victoria club, but was recommended to Birmingham by his elder brother Joe, a future England inside-forward, and joined him on the St Andrews staff as an amateur in March 1922. Having played only reserve-team football for Birmingham, the nineteen-year-old signed for the Albion in August 1923 but again had to be content with second-eleven fare until given his chance in the League side in March 1925 in the absence of Jimmy Hopkins. He did not impress, though, and having played just three first-team games he left for Preston North End on a free transfer in June 1925. Once again his chances were restricted and in August 1926 he was transferred to Walsall where his career finally took off.
A stalwart at Fellows Park for over ten years, Jack was appointed player-coach to the ‘Saddlers’ in 1934 and made his 300th League appearance at the Goldstone in February 1937. As well as having an England international relative in brother Joe, Jack had another in his cousin, Leicester City’s Hughie Adcock.
Jack made 3 appearances for the Seagulls between 1923 and 1925.