Andrew Ritchie
Encyclopedia
Andrew Timothy "Andy" Ritchie (born 28 November 1960 in Manchester
, Lancashire
) is an English
former footballer and manager.
with Manchester United
and scored a hat-trick against Leeds while aged just 18 and another hat-trick againsat Spurs when 19, and later played for Brighton & Hove Albion
, Leeds United
, Oldham Athletic
and Scarborough
, making 661 appearances (88 as substitute) and scoring 210 goals. He played his last game, for Oldham, in the 1998-99
season. Contrary to popular belief, Ritchie's nickname "Stitches" was not a fresh idea from his career. His actual nickname 'Scratch' (from which Stitches is derived) came from his school mates at Cheadle Moseley Grammar. Ritchie is regarded as one of Oldham's finest ever footballers, and is also an ex-manager of the club. During the 89/90 "pinch me season" when The Latics got to the final of the League Cup and the semi-final of the FA Cup he was the clubs top scorer with 28 goals. Most notably in the 2-2 draw at Southampton he scored in the dying seconds to keep The Latics in the competition, also the equaliser in the replay of the FA Cup semi final against his former club which forced the game into extra time (although the result ended 2-1 to Man Utd). Ritchie was said to be the best schoolboy footballer in Europe during the mid 1970s.
He is still very highly regarded by the Latics fans who still chant his name with the song "Andy Ritchie's Magic"
, he returned to Oldham in March 1997 initially as Neil Warnock
's assistant, but Warnock left to manage Bury at the end of the following season and Ritchie was appointed Manager. His first season the team struggled with a small budget he had to rely mostly on youth players and the club survived relegation to the first team and the prospect of being the first Founder Members of the Premier League to be relegated to the bottom Division. The following season despite a bad start he managed to turn the fortunes around with some impressive displays, most notably the endings of top of the table Wigan's unbeaten record. The 00/01 season was similar to the previous season with the club recovering from a poor start but the signing of David Eyres
and Tony Carss
helped steer the club to midtable safety. In the summer of 2001 the club was taken over by businessman Chris Moore
, initially the club started the 01/02 season well but following a poor run of results he was dismissed in November.
After a successful spell back at Elland Road
in charge of Youth Development, Ritchie left to become Paul Hart's
assistant at Barnsley
. After Hart was sacked in March 2005, Ritchie's successful spell as caretaker manager led to him being confirmed as full time manager in May 2005. In the 2005/06 season
, he led the club to the League One playoff final against Swansea City
. The match was played on 27 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
. Barnsley's victory on penalties (following a 2-2 draw) secured promotion to the Football League Championship
.
Ritchie was approached by Sheffield Wednesday
about their vacant manager's position, following the sacking of Paul Sturrock
in October 2006. However, the request was turned down by Barnsley. Ritchie was sacked by Barnsley on 21 November 2006, with the team in the relegation zone of the League Championship
.
Ritchie was appointed Huddersfield Town manager on 11 April 2007. He left the club by mutual consent on 1 April 2008 after an indifferent season, following the embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of his former club Oldham Athletic
on 29 March. He managed the team for 51 games, winning 22, losing 24 and drawing 5. The highlight was undoubtedly the FA Cup run which saw Town win against Birmingham City
and before bowing out to Premier League outfit Chelsea
in the 5th Round, the first time the club had been that far for 10 years.
He is currently doing punditry for BBC Radio Leeds
, and was in the frame for the vacant manager's job at Football League Two
side Grimsby Town
, following the sacking of Alan Buckley
.However Ritchie was overlooked for the job which in turn went to Mike Newell
.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer and manager.
Playing career
After playing for England Schoolboys (once scoring three goals against Germany) Ritchie started his career in 1977-781977-78 in English football
The 1977–1978 season was the 98th season of competitive football in England, from August 1977 to May 1978:-First Division:Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side took on the First Division by storm, by winning the League Cup on 22 March and confirming themselves as league champions the following month...
with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and scored a hat-trick against Leeds while aged just 18 and another hat-trick againsat Spurs when 19, and later played for Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
and Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
, making 661 appearances (88 as substitute) and scoring 210 goals. He played his last game, for Oldham, in the 1998-99
1998-99 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...
season. Contrary to popular belief, Ritchie's nickname "Stitches" was not a fresh idea from his career. His actual nickname 'Scratch' (from which Stitches is derived) came from his school mates at Cheadle Moseley Grammar. Ritchie is regarded as one of Oldham's finest ever footballers, and is also an ex-manager of the club. During the 89/90 "pinch me season" when The Latics got to the final of the League Cup and the semi-final of the FA Cup he was the clubs top scorer with 28 goals. Most notably in the 2-2 draw at Southampton he scored in the dying seconds to keep The Latics in the competition, also the equaliser in the replay of the FA Cup semi final against his former club which forced the game into extra time (although the result ended 2-1 to Man Utd). Ritchie was said to be the best schoolboy footballer in Europe during the mid 1970s.
He is still very highly regarded by the Latics fans who still chant his name with the song "Andy Ritchie's Magic"
Managerial career
Following the sacking of Graeme SharpGraeme Sharp
Graeme Marshall Sharp is a former footballer. He started his playing career at Dumbarton before signing for Everton for £120,000 in 1980....
, he returned to Oldham in March 1997 initially as Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
's assistant, but Warnock left to manage Bury at the end of the following season and Ritchie was appointed Manager. His first season the team struggled with a small budget he had to rely mostly on youth players and the club survived relegation to the first team and the prospect of being the first Founder Members of the Premier League to be relegated to the bottom Division. The following season despite a bad start he managed to turn the fortunes around with some impressive displays, most notably the endings of top of the table Wigan's unbeaten record. The 00/01 season was similar to the previous season with the club recovering from a poor start but the signing of David Eyres
David Eyres
David Eyres is an English former professional footballer.-Career:A relative latecomer to the professional game, Eyres began his career at Welsh non-league side Rhyl before signing, in 1989 at the age of 25, professional terms with Blackpool for a fee of £10,000...
and Tony Carss
Tony Carss
Anthony John "Tony" Carss was a professional footballer who started his career with Blackburn Rovers, and went on to Darlington, Cardiff City, Chesterfield, Oldham Athletic and Huddersfield Town....
helped steer the club to midtable safety. In the summer of 2001 the club was taken over by businessman Chris Moore
Chris Moore
Chris Moore is an American film producer.-Early life:Moore received a BA in American History from Harvard University.-Career:Moore has produced the American Pie films, Reindeer Games starring Ben Affleck, Joyride, The Adjustment Bureau , and the Academy Award-winning Good Will Hunting...
, initially the club started the 01/02 season well but following a poor run of results he was dismissed in November.
After a successful spell back at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
in charge of Youth Development, Ritchie left to become Paul Hart's
Paul Hart
Paul Hart is an English football manager and former football defender, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart, a football inside forward and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, while also playing for Nottingham Forest and...
assistant at 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...
. After Hart was sacked in March 2005, Ritchie's successful spell as caretaker manager led to him being confirmed as full time manager in May 2005. In the 2005/06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, he led the club to the League One playoff final against Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. The match was played on 27 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Barnsley's victory on penalties (following a 2-2 draw) secured promotion to the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Ritchie was approached by 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...
about their vacant manager's position, following the sacking of Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
in October 2006. However, the request was turned down by Barnsley. Ritchie was sacked by Barnsley on 21 November 2006, with the team in the relegation zone of the League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Ritchie was appointed Huddersfield Town manager on 11 April 2007. He left the club by mutual consent on 1 April 2008 after an indifferent season, following the embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of his former club Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
on 29 March. He managed the team for 51 games, winning 22, losing 24 and drawing 5. The highlight was undoubtedly the FA Cup run which saw Town win against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
and before bowing out to Premier League outfit Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in the 5th Round, the first time the club had been that far for 10 years.
He is currently doing punditry for BBC Radio Leeds
BBC Radio Leeds
BBC Radio Leeds is the BBC Local Radio service for the English metropolitan county of West Yorkshire.- Frequencies :It broadcasts from its studios at St...
, and was in the frame for the vacant manager's job at Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, following the sacking of Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
.However Ritchie was overlooked for the job which in turn went to Mike Newell
Mike Newell (footballer)
Michael Colin "Mike" Newell is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player he notably was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team which won the Premier League in 1995, as well also playing for Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton,...
.
Managerial statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
 |
7 May 1998 | 31 October 2001 | 179 | 59 | 75 | 45 | 32.96 |
| 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... |
|
4 March 2005 | 21 November 2006 | 88 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 32.95 |
| Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
|
11 April 2007 | 1 April 2008 | 51 | 22 | 24 | 5 | 43.14 |
As a manager
Barnsley- Football League One play-offsFootball League Play-OffsThe Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is...
(1): 2005–06