Lee ready to activate further year on Cherries contract (From Bournemouth Echo)

Lee ready to activate further year on Cherries contract

7:00am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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VETERAN Lee Bradbury is determined to continue his distinguished career for as long as possible after earning an extended Dean Court stay.

The Cherries star triggered a clause in his contract – sealing the chance of a further year in Dorset – by making his 30th appearance of the campaign at Crewe last week.

And the former Manchester City player, 34, revealed that thoughts of retirement had not entered his head as he continued to focus on helping Cherries gain promotion to League One.

Asked whether the prospect of hanging up his boots had crossed his mind, Bradbury told the Echo: “No, not at all.

“I haven’t thought about retiring and I still feel fine. I feel that I am still giving to the team and adding towards what we’ve got.

“Up until the day when I feel I am letting the side down, I might think about it then, but I feel fine, part of the team and I am enjoying it every day.

“I just want to play as long as I can. I will be here next year now because I have just triggered a new contract.

“That is good for me and I am going to be involved next season. It is good I have got that and that will take me to the age of 36 nearly.

“At the moment, we have just got to concentrate on the job at hand and that is being at the right end of the table come May 8, hopefully in the top three.”

Bradbury, who has commanded career transfer fees of almost £5million, does not need to look far for inspiration, with Cherries legend Steve Fletcher going strong at 37.

“He’s 37 and you take your hat off to anyone who can play to that age,” said Bradbury.

“He’s done well and, in the past couple of games, he’s been a real handful for teams and has given us something to play off.”

Isle of Wight-born Bradbury is likely to take his place in the starting line-up when Cherries host Cheltenham Town this afternoon (3pm) on the back of two excellent victories.

He added: “Crewe is a hard place to go and Rotherham is even harder, so we were more than happy with six points and it has given us something to build on in the next couple of games.”

Signed by Kevin Bond from Southend in August 2007 and converted to play at right-back, Bradbury has scored 11 goals in more than 100 Cherries appearances.