John Ridley (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Ridley is an English
former footballer. A versatile midfielder
, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League
, playing for Port Vale
and Chesterfield
, as well as Leicester City
. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers
and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
He was voted Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
in 1975–76
, won the Anglo-Scottish Cup
with Chesterfield in 1981, and helped Port Vale to win promotion out of the Fourth Division
in 1982–83
. Qualifying as a teacher before he began his football career, once he hung up his boots he returned to the education profession.
and other English Universities, as he earned his degree and qualified as a teacher. This achieved, he then signed professional forms with Port Vale
in July 1973, having previously been at the club on youth terms. He came through to the professional ranks at the same time as David Harris
, who would also become a key player for the "Valiants". Ridley played ten Third Division
games in 1973–74
. He scored his first goal in senior football in a 3–1 win over Charlton Athletic
on 27 April 1974.
He established himself in the first team under manager Roy Sproson
by March 1975, and played nineteen games of the 1974–75
campaign. He was an ever-present for the 1975–76
season, playing 52 games and finding the net against Rotherham United
. His performances earned him the Player of the Year
award at the end of the season. He played a further 45 games in 1976–77
, scoring once against Swindon Town
.
Ridley played 47 games of the 1977–78
season, and found the net in a 5–2 demolition of non-league Arnold
in the FA Cup
First Round. However Vale suffered relegation into the Fourth Division
at the end of the season under Bobby Smith. In May 1978 he was loaned to American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who were competing in the now defunct North American Soccer League
. Strikers finished third in their four team East Division, though he returned early in August after suffering from illness.
He played seven games for Vale at the start of the 1978–79
, before he was sold to Leicester City
for a then club-record £55,000 fee in October 1978. The "Foxes" were then a Second Division
side, and avoided relegation by three points in 1978–79. A Frank McLintock
signing, when Jock Wallace took over as manager Ridley's days at Filbert Street
were numbered. He played 24 league games for Leicester, before he was sold on to Chesterfield
for a £35,000 fee in August 1979.
He was used in defence by the club, and formed an impressive centre-back partnership with Bill Green. Chesterfield missed out on promotion from the Third Division in 1979–80 after finishing one point behind Sheffield Wednesday
. The "Spireites" went close again 1980–81, finishing three points behind promotion winners Barnsley
and Charlton Athletic. They also won the last ever instalment of the Anglo-Scottish Cup
following a 2–1 win over Notts County
. Chesterfield then posted a disappointing eleventh place finish in 1981–82, and Ridley returned to Port Vale in July 1982, amid a financial crisis at Chesterfield.
Ridley played 44 games in 1982–83
, as Vale won promotion out of the Fourth Division in third place under the management of John McGrath. He also found the net in games at Mansfield Town
, Hereford United
, and Hartlepool United
. However Vale failed to retain their third tier status in 1983–84
; Ridley scored against Newport County
and Southend United
as he made 35 appearances. He played 51 games under John Rudge
in the 1984–85
campaign. At the end of the season he joined Stafford Rangers
in a player-coach capacity for a fee that was settled at £700 following a tribunal. Rangers were promoted to the Alliance Premier League
for the 1985–86 season.
website described Ridley as "a powerful, dominating type, [who] nevertheless had a calming influence and elegant touch to his play." He was described by Jeff Kent
as "tall and elegant".
, Matlock Town
and Newcastle Town
. He also went on to teach
at various schools. He currently teaches mathematics
at Blurton High School
in Stoke-on-Trent
.
with Chesterfield:
with Port Vale
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer. A versatile midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, playing for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, as well as Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
He was voted Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
in 1975–76
1975–76 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1975–76 season was Port Vale's sixty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and their sixth successive season in the Third Division. Manager Roy Sproson brought Mick Cullerton back to Vale Park, and Cullerton was to become the top-scorer for the season with 21 goals...
, won the Anglo-Scottish Cup
Anglo-Scottish Cup
The Anglo-Scottish Cup was a tournament arranged for teams in the English and Scottish football leagues during the summer for several years during the 1970s...
with Chesterfield in 1981, and helped Port Vale to win promotion out of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1982–83
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
. Qualifying as a teacher before he began his football career, once he hung up his boots he returned to the education profession.
Playing career
As a young man, Ridley played for Sheffield UniversityUniversity of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
and other English Universities, as he earned his degree and qualified as a teacher. This achieved, he then signed professional forms with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in July 1973, having previously been at the club on youth terms. He came through to the professional ranks at the same time as David Harris
David Harris (footballer)
David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977...
, who would also become a key player for the "Valiants". Ridley played ten Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
games in 1973–74
1973–74 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1973–74 season was Port Vale's sixty-second season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Third Division. They finished in twentieth spot, though were seven points clear of relegation...
. He scored his first goal in senior football in a 3–1 win over Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on 27 April 1974.
He established himself in the first team under manager Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957...
by March 1975, and played nineteen games of the 1974–75
1974–75 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1974–75 season was Port Vale's sixty-third season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Third Division. It was Roy Sproson's first full season in charge...
campaign. He was an ever-present for the 1975–76
1975–76 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1975–76 season was Port Vale's sixty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and their sixth successive season in the Third Division. Manager Roy Sproson brought Mick Cullerton back to Vale Park, and Cullerton was to become the top-scorer for the season with 21 goals...
season, playing 52 games and finding the net against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. His performances earned him the Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
award at the end of the season. He played a further 45 games in 1976–77
1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Port Vale's sixty-fifth season of football in the Football League, and their seventh successive season in the Third Division. In the FA Cup, Vale reached the Fifth Round for the first time since 1961–62, after progressing past two Second Division clubs...
, scoring once against Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
.
Ridley played 47 games of the 1977–78
1977–78 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1977–78 season was Port Vale's sixty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and their eighth successive season in the Third Division. Finishing in 21st place, they were relegated to the Fourth Division...
season, and found the net in a 5–2 demolition of non-league Arnold
Arnold Town F.C.
Arnold Town F.C. is a football club based in Arnold, a suburb of Nottingham, England.It was formed in 1989 following a merger between Arnold F.C. and Arnold Kingswell F.C. It reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the season 2001-02 and again in 2005-06.The club plays in the Northern Counties East...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
First Round. However Vale suffered relegation into the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
at the end of the season under Bobby Smith. In May 1978 he was loaned to American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who were competing in the now defunct North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. Strikers finished third in their four team East Division, though he returned early in August after suffering from illness.
He played seven games for Vale at the start of the 1978–79
1978–79 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1978–79 season was Port Vale's sixty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their first season back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. Bernie Wright was highly impressive with his fifteen goals, though the rest of the team limped to a...
, before he was sold to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
for a then club-record £55,000 fee in October 1978. The "Foxes" were then a Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side, and avoided relegation by three points in 1978–79. A Frank McLintock
Frank McLintock
Francis "Frank" McLintock MBE is a Scottish former football defender who played for Leicester City, Arsenal and QPR.-Leicester City:...
signing, when Jock Wallace took over as manager Ridley's days at Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
were numbered. He played 24 league games for Leicester, before he was sold on to Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
for a £35,000 fee in August 1979.
He was used in defence by the club, and formed an impressive centre-back partnership with Bill Green. Chesterfield missed out on promotion from the Third Division in 1979–80 after finishing one point behind Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. The "Spireites" went close again 1980–81, finishing three points behind promotion winners Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Charlton Athletic. They also won the last ever instalment of the Anglo-Scottish Cup
Anglo-Scottish Cup
The Anglo-Scottish Cup was a tournament arranged for teams in the English and Scottish football leagues during the summer for several years during the 1970s...
following a 2–1 win over Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. Chesterfield then posted a disappointing eleventh place finish in 1981–82, and Ridley returned to Port Vale in July 1982, amid a financial crisis at Chesterfield.
Ridley played 44 games in 1982–83
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
, as Vale won promotion out of the Fourth Division in third place under the management of John McGrath. He also found the net in games at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
, and Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
. However Vale failed to retain their third tier status in 1983–84
1983–84 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1983–84 season was Port Vale's seventy-second season of football in the Football League, and first back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his...
; Ridley scored against Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
and Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
as he made 35 appearances. He played 51 games under John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
in the 1984–85
1984–85 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1984–85 season was Port Vale's seventy-third season of football in the Football League, and first back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. John Rudge's first full season in charge, the Vale finished in mid-table following a season of rebuilding the squad...
campaign. At the end of the season he joined Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
in a player-coach capacity for a fee that was settled at £700 following a tribunal. Rangers were promoted to the Alliance Premier League
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
for the 1985–86 season.
Style of play
The Chesterfield F.C.Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
website described Ridley as "a powerful, dominating type, [who] nevertheless had a calming influence and elegant touch to his play." He was described by Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent (author)
Jeffrey John William Kent is an English academic and musician, as well as most notably an author and historian.-Early life and education:...
as "tall and elegant".
Post-retirement
After finishing his playing career, Ridley went on to coach at Stafford RangersStafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
, Matlock Town
Matlock Town F.C.
Matlock Town F.C. is an English football club based at Causeway Lane in Matlock, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in the late 1870s and have competed in the Central Alliance and the Midland Counties League before reaching the Northern Premier League.In the 1974–75 season the club won...
and Newcastle Town
Newcastle Town F.C.
Newcastle Town F.C. are an English football club based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. They play in the Northern Premier League First Division South. They are full members of the Staffordshire Football Association.-History:...
. He also went on to teach
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
at various schools. He currently teaches mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at Blurton High School
Blurton High School
Blurton High School is a mixed, secondary school in Blurton, Staffordshire. The school has been awarded specialist Business and Enterprise College status.-Feeder Schools:...
in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
.
Honours
Individual- Port Vale F.C. Player of the YearPort Vale F.C. Player of the YearThe Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
: 1976
with Chesterfield:
- Anglo-Scottish CupAnglo-Scottish CupThe Anglo-Scottish Cup was a tournament arranged for teams in the English and Scottish football leagues during the summer for several years during the 1970s...
winner: 1981
with Port Vale
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
third place promotion winner: 1982–831982–83 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...