Career
He notably played Premier League football for Manchester City and went on to play in the Football League for Chester City, Lincoln City, Stoke City, Bradford City, Blackpool, Northampton Town, Carlisle United, Hull City and Darlington. Brightwell played for ten professional clubs during his long career. He started at Manchester City, where he had been a trainee.
He played 44 league games but also had loans spell at Chester City, Lincoln City, Stoke City and Bradford City.
He joined Bradford permanently in December 1995 for £30,000 and took part in their 1995-1996 promotion season. He spent a period on loan at Blackpool before he signed on a free transfer for Northampton Town.
He made further free transfers to Carlisle United and Hull City before signing for his final club Darlington in February 2001. Whilst at Carlisle, he played a part in one of the most dramatic footballing moments of all time.
Brightwell played a total of 258 league games during his career, scoring eight goals.