"My wife and I bought a restaurant and wine bar in Newcastle, New South Wales, around the time I came out of retirement," he explains. "But we were too busy entertaining friends and giving stuff away. It was fun while it lasted but you can't run a business like that!"
In 2012 Bridges was combining shifts behind the bar with a second stint leading the line for A-Leaguers Newcastle Jets and a tentative move into coaching. "I'd already reached what I describe as football's 'Spaghetti Junction'," he adds. "When you get to that point in your career there are so many roads you can go down.
"I'm very fortunate that I spent time with some influential people who became my mentors. They were able to point me in the right direction. I've been very blessed to receive the advice I've been given at key stages in my life. There are plenty of examples of former team-mates who haven't been so lucky and their careers have spiralled out of control."
Bridges initially heeded the advice to stick with coaching and, after working towards his UEFA Pro Diploma, was appointed manager of Australian semi-professional club Edgeworth FC in 2020. "I looked after everyone from the youth team through to the first team and it was the perfect fit," he adds. "And because it wasn't a full-time role I was able to dip my toes into the media. Once I discovered the world of co-comms that was it. I love the job."
Bridges returned to the UK determined to park his coaching career and explore opportunities in broadcast media. "I wouldn't say I'd never go back to management," he counters. "I'll keep those qualifications in my back pocket just in case. But right now I'm committed to co-comms and trying to be the best I can behind the mic."
Bridges is one of the rising stars of Premier League Productions - the global broadcaster of England's top flight fixtures. And the North Shields native was on co-comms duty at St. James' Park earlier this week as Liverpool snatched a dramatic injury-time win against Eddie Howe's battling Magpies.
The home side was lauded for an exceptional performance in the face of adversity and Bridges insists: "It all starts with Bruno (Guimarães). His leadership qualities are exceptional and he goes above and beyond for his team. If he's not always a shouter and a bawler like captains of the past then he leads by example - in the way that he challenges, in the way that he is on the ball and in the way that he's always looking to be creative.
"Bruno gets the crowd going and always gives 100 per cent. Most Brazilians are known for their flair and flamboyance but Bruno has the complete package. He sets the perfect example for the other players in the Newcastle team. There's a mutual trust between Bruno and Eddie Howe - as a manager Eddie can always rely on him to do what needs to be done."
Bruno is set to come up against former Newcastle favourite Sean Longstaff in Saturday's early evening clash against Leeds United. It's a match-up Bridges can't wait to see as Longstaff looks to establish himself in the Elland Room engine room following this summer's move from Tyneside.
"I think it was a great bit of business for both clubs," adds Bridges. "I know there are a few Newcastle fans who feel Leeds got a bargain. From Longy's point of view he probably needed a fresh challenge. As a Leeds player he's no longer seen as the young kid who's come through the Academy - he goes there as an experienced Premier League midfielder who's been given a brilliant opportunity to spread his wings.
"Sean has a chance to bring his leadership qualities to a newly promoted team and I think there's an opportunity for him to play with a bit more freedom. He should have no problem settling in as he's not too far from home and I think the Leeds fans will really love what he brings to their club."
Bridges was part of the young and dynamic Leeds squad that took the Premier League and Europe by storm under David O'Leary in the early noughties. After completing a £5m move from Sunderland in the summer of 1999, the England under-21 international joined a team of energetic entertainers boasting the very best in emerging talent.
"We had Paul Robinson, Jonathan Woodgate, Stephen McPhail, Ian Harte, Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyet - the list goes on," adds Bridges. "What a squad! I'd been signed to play alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink but then he was sold to Atlético Madrid and suddenly I was leading the line. The manager told me I'd sink or swim and I learnt to swim very quickly in a hugely talented team."
Bridges scored 19 goals during his debut Premier League campaign for Leeds and helped O'Leary's side qualify for European football's top tier. But after suffering a serious injury against Besiktas in the Champions League, the Wallsend Boys Club product endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
After missing out on a place in Sven Goran Eriksson's 2002 England squad, Bridges went back to the drawing board but his Leeds career continued to falter. Step forward Sir Bobby Robson with an offer the former Magpies trainee couldn't refuse.
Bridges, who secured a loan move to St. James' Park in January 2004, will always look back on his brief spell with Newcastle and wonder what might have been. Having finally realised a boyhood dream to represent the black and whites at the highest level, first team opportunities were limited and six games yielded no goals.
Nevertheless, Bridges could always count on the unwavering support of Sir Bobby and he explained how the former United boss was determined to revive his stalled career. "I remember there was a game against Leicester when I skied a shot into the away fans from around six yards out," he reflects. "Sir Bobby pulled me to one side after that one and said scoring that goal could have changed everything.
"He promised me a new deal in the summer but called me one day to say things had changed. He said the club was no longer in a position to offer me the same terms and that he was incredibly sorry as he never went back on his word. He promised to find me another club and he did - I went on to sign for Bolton on his recommendation.
"What Sir Bobby didn't tell me during that conversation was that he'd just lost his job. That was the reason I no longer had a contract offer from Newcastle. I only found out when I called my dad later that day to give him the bad news and he asked me if I'd heard about Sir Bobby. Looking out for me when that had just happened to him is a measure of the man."
Bridges - who was released by Newcastle as a teenager before Sunderland scouts spotted his talent - wishes things could have turned out differently during his time at Gallowgate. However, the chance to follow Howe's ambitious Champions League-bound squad first hand is an opportunity the 47-year-old relishes.
"I try to approach my co-comms role from a coach's perspective," he adds. "Fans don't need me to repeat what they've just seen - I'm there to explain how and why it's happened and to provide an insight into the tactics and decision-making. I love the analysis and contributing to the all-singing, all-dancing packages for half-time and full-time."
