John Ridley (footballer)

British footballer (1952-2020)

John Ridley (27 April 1952 – 3 May 2020) was an English footballer. He had a twelve-year professional career in the English Football League. He played for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City.

John Ridley
Personal information
Full name John Ridley[1]
Date of birth (1952-04-27)27 April 1952
Place of birth Consett, England[2]
Date of death 3 May 2020(2020-05-03) (aged 68)
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender; midfielder
Youth career
Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1978 Port Vale 156 (3)
1978Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) 22 (1)
1978–1979 Leicester City 24 (0)
1979–1982 Chesterfield 124 (8)
1982–1985 Port Vale 114 (5)
1985–19?? Stafford Rangers
19??–19?? Matlock Town
19??–19?? Newcastle Town
19??–19?? Eastwood Hanley
19??–19?? Silverdale Athletic
19??–1992 Rists United
Total 440+ (17+)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Ridley was born in Consett, County Durham. He died on 3 May 2020, aged 68.[4]

Career statistics

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Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Port Vale 1973–74 Third Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 10 1
1974–75 Third Division 18 0 0 0 1 0 19 0
1975–76 Third Division 46 1 3 0 3 0 52 1
1976–77 Third Division 35 1 6 0 4 0 45 1
1977–78 Third Division 40 0 4 1 3 0 47 1
1978–79 Fourth Division 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Total 156 3 13 1 11 0 180 4
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (loan) 1978 NASL 22 1 22 1
Leicester City 1978–79 Second Division 24 0 2 0 0 0 26 0
Chesterfield 1979–80 Third Division 46 3 2 0 3 0 51 3
1980–81 Third Division 40 1 4 0 12 0 56 1
1981–82 Third Division 38 4 0 0 5 0 43 4
Total 124 8 6 0 20 0 150 8
Port Vale 1982–83 Fourth Division 41 3 1 0 2 0 44 3
1983–84 Third Division 30 2 1 0 4 0 35 2
1984–85 Fourth Division 43 0 2 0 6 0 51 0
Total 114 5 4 0 12 0 130 5
Career total 440 17 25 1 43 0 508 18

Honours

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Individual

Chesterfield

Port Vale

Stafford Rangers

References

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  1. "John Ridley". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "The John Ridley Interview". The Vale Park Beano. 92.
  3. Rollin, Jack (1980). Rothmans football yearbook. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 134. ISBN 0362020175. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  4. Former Port Vale player John Ridley passes away
  5. Kent, Jeff (1990). The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale. Witan Books. p. 305. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  6. "Former Spireite John Ridley dies at the age of 67". Peak FM. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  7. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.