John Ritchie (footballer, born 1944)

John Ritchie (10 April 1944 – 16 February 2012) was an English footballer who played as a full-back for Whitley Bay, Port Vale, Preston North End, Bradford City, and Stafford Rangers in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a "tough, uncompromising full-back".[2] After leaving the game Ritchie worked at HM Prison Werrington.[2]

John Ritchie
Personal information
Full name John Ritchie[1]
Date of birth (1944-04-10)10 April 1944[1]
Place of birth Ashington, England[1]
Date of death 16 February 2012(2012-02-16) (aged 67)
Position(s) Full-back
Youth career
Whitley Bay
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1965–1967 Port Vale 50 (3)
1967–1972 Preston North End 94 (5)
1972 Bradford City 20 (0)
Stafford Rangers
Total 164+ (8+)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Ritchie played for Whitley Bay, before joining Port Vale in December 1965.[1] He made 22 Fourth Division appearances in the 1965–66 season, and scored his first goal in the Football League on 26 February, in a 3–1 win over Darlington at Vale Park.[1] He scored three goals in 32 matches for Jackie Mudie's "Valiants" in the 1966–67 season, and scored a memorable 40 yards (37 m) "goal of a lifetime" in a 2–1 win over Bradford City at Valley Parade in an FA Cup First Round match on 26 November.[1] He was sold to Jimmy Milne's Preston North End for a £17,500 fee in April 1967.[1] The "Lilywhites" finished one place above the Second Division zone in 1967–68, before rising up to 14th place in 1968–69. They were relegated in last place in 1969–70 under the stewardship of Bobby Seith, before new boss Alan Ball took Preston straight up as champions of the Third Division in 1970–71. Ritchie scored five goals in 93 league games during his time at Deepdale. Both Ritchie and Gerry Ingram were traded to Bryan Edwards's Bradford City for a £15,000 fee, who were relegated into the Fourth Division in 1971–72.[3] He later played in the Northern Premier League for Stafford Rangers.

Career statistics

Source:[4]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale 1965–66 Fourth Division 2210000221
1966–67 Fourth Division 2823110323
Total 5033110544
Preston North End 1966–67 Second Division 20000020
1967–68 Second Division 3242010354
1968–69 Second Division 1600030190
1969–70 Second Division 3212010350
1970–71 Third Division 00000000
1971–72 Second Division 1600000160
Total 94540901075
Bradford City 1971–72 Third Division 1600000160
1972–73 Fourth Division 40003070
Total 2000030230
Career total 1648711301849

References

  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 251. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. The Valiants: official Matchday Magazine. 7 February 1996. p. 4.
  3. "John Ritchie". pneformerplayers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  4. John Ritchie at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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