June 15, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC – The North Carolina Football Club today announced that Head Coach John Bradford has signed a multi-year extension.
“I’m excited to continue in this role and feel fortunate for the support from the club,” Bradford said. “I want to thank the NCFC front office and ownership, particularly Steve Malik and Curt Johnson, for their continued support and belief in our club’s unique vision. I also want to thank the leadership of NCFC Youth, particularly Gary Buete, Paul Forster, and our Board, for the ability to coexist in both the youth and the professional sides of our club.”
“In John’s 15 years with our club, he has been one of the key leaders in the creation of our youth to pro player development pathway,” said Chief Soccer Officer Curt Johnson. “He’s a passionate, detail-oriented coach that is equally adept at developing young players and meshing them with experienced pros. In his time managing the first team, he’s done a fantastic job of increasing the talent pool within our group, and has provided opportunities for young players while at the same time winning and playing attractive, possession-oriented soccer. We are thrilled to extend John’s contract and look forward to supporting him as we all work to build the best possible development environment for our players while winning trophies.”
Now in his third season with North Carolina FC and his second as the team’s head coach, Bradford holds a unique role that involves working with the club’s first team while overseeing the development of the club’s top youth players. The Winston-Salem native is a true link in NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline, directing the NCFC Academy and serving as the technical director of North Carolina FC U23 of USL League Two. Bradford holds an Academy Directors license and a USSF A license, and has also earned Director of Coaching and Premier Coaching diplomas with United Coaches. From 2016 to 2019, he spent time as an assistant coach with the U16 and U17 US Soccer Youth National Teams.
This season, Bradford has led the North Carolina side to a 4-3-2 record, making several key player acquisitions in the offseason and into preseason to compete for position at the top of the table, among these new signings are Raheem Somersall, Jordan Skelton, Oalex Anderson, Gustavo Fernandes, Garrett McLaughlin, Jaden Servania, Showkat Tahir and Christian Lue Young, all of whom have become integral components…