Paddy Ratcliffe
Encyclopedia
Patrick Christopher "Paddy" Ratcliffe (born 31 December 1919 – date of death unknown) was an Irish footballer who played as a full back.
His career as a professional started later than most because of the Second World War
. He was injured in combat while serving for the Allies
and spent two years in a Prisoner-of-war camp
before returning home. After hostilities had ceased, he briefly played for Bohemians in his homeland before moving to England to join Notts County
, and moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers
less than one year later. Ratcliffe made two league appearances in the 1946–47 season before joining Plymouth Argyle
, where he would eventually finish his career. A cultured, attacking full back, who was also a capable penalty
taker, he made 246 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims between 1947 and 1955, scoring ten goals, before retiring from the professional game at the age of 35.
His career as a professional started later than most because of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was injured in combat while serving for the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
and spent two years in a Prisoner-of-war camp
Prisoner-of-war camp
A prisoner-of-war camp is a site for the containment of combatants captured by their enemy in time of war, and is similar to an internment camp which is used for civilian populations. A prisoner of war is generally a soldier, sailor, or airman who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or...
before returning home. After hostilities had ceased, he briefly played for Bohemians in his homeland before moving to England to join 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...
, and moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
less than one year later. Ratcliffe made two league appearances in the 1946–47 season before joining Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, where he would eventually finish his career. A cultured, attacking full back, who was also a capable penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
taker, he made 246 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims between 1947 and 1955, scoring ten goals, before retiring from the professional game at the age of 35.