Local Heroes

Leave your tributes to John Ritchie here...

Tom Aitchison Sheffield
I watched John play for Sheffield Wednesday. A great header of the ball, he was graceful in the air.I am saddened to hear of his death.

John Ritchie
some player.proud to have the same name as him

aiznin sairi
i grew up in Malaysia with minimal viewing on Stoke City FC but when it was shown on telly i could see Ritchie was a player of some note.

Chris Hunt
One of my earliest memories of John playing for Stoke was early in his career when we were playing Portsmouth In an FA Cup match. John scored twice that day his second after an interception on the half way line followed by a gallop half the length of the field before he shot and scored. He was a great hero for Stoke fans from then on I feel. Few of us will forget how he unselfishly laid on the chance for Jimmy Greenhoff to shoot before George Eastham scored from the rebound at Wembley. He was a true team player as well as a great goalscorer. He was also a great support to local youth football. He was often on the sidelines at Keele watching Ladsand dads and was never too busy to present trophies to the boys. John will be sadly missed by us all.

Derek Clayton
As a Sheff. Wed. fan I remember John well, he scored some great headers, one I remember was against Chelsea's Peter Bonetti.He also helped another S.W. player develope, Alan Worboys was his name.He was a great player, R.I.P.

georgia
r.i.p do miss you

Bash (Oklahoma)
Big John scored the first goal I witnessed at the Viccy Ground, Friday evening vs Sheff. Utd. last game of season 1965/6 I will never forget that! Or his effort at Old Trafford that was disalowed for offside when there was noone but John coming from behind the Utd. centre-half to head an unstoppable goal.And many more we all know so well.John you were a fine example to everyone of what a footballer should be.bless you!

Mark Simmonite
I'm a Sheffield Wednesday supporter who remembers Big John with much affection. He was great leader of the line and all his former Wednesday teams mates spoke very highly of him.

marc
r.i.p big john

John -Burton
Gary Turner refers to the great goal Big John scored against Blackpool.I wrote to the Daily Mail who featured the actual photograph in their headlines on the next day and received a copy which John was kind enough to autograph.This was kept in my office window in Stone for years and the memory never died.A great goal,a great centre forward and yes he will be missed.

Graham Cheadle
The first game I ever saw live was the 4-3 win at Bolton in 1963, the first game Big John played for Stoke in the old first divsion, and he scored twice. The start of a fantastic career with Stoke. The best goal I remember him scoring was a header against Man Utd at Stoke. His memory will live forever.

tom smith
great guy and a great footballer. a pleasure to watch

leon carney
thanks john

Dave Hodgkinson
Its sad to hear of the loss of a great player like John. I watched him score some great goals in the 70's. I live in New Zealand but still have great memories of his awesome talent.

Em
RIP Big John. I was too young to have seen you play, but my dad has said you were an inspiration to us all. We'll all miss you.

Roy Williams
I met John more recently when I played golf against Wolstanton G.C.and he still had a twinkle and a smile and he was quite unassuming. Of course I remember him playing for Stoke on many occasions and scoring great goals. One memory relates to my father who went to see him John play, possibly for the Reserves, shortly after his transfer to Stoke. When he came home my father simply said, " I think we have somebody special." How true in Football terms but more so as a man.

bob loggerheads
some people said big and clumsy i wish we had the big uns 20 goals per season now rest in peace big john thanx for the memories one of the 50 +

JOHN WOOD
John WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FONDLY BY THE BLUE SIDE OF SHEFFIELD. A GREAT GUY.

anthony miller (a mackem)
a proper footballer

Mark Pass
As the son of a Sheffield Wednesday fan,I went to my first match at Hillsborough in August 1968 against Coventry,aged six.What struck me was the atmosphere created by the crowd especially when Wednesday scored.We won 3-0 and John Ritchie scored one and Johnny Fantham two and at such an impressionable age,the goalscorers were such heroes of course.Everyone wanted to be John Ritchie and yet so soon,he had returned to Stoke.Imagine the surprise therefore when I went to see Stoke v Wednesday at the "new" stadium in August 2005 and JR was guest of honour.Not only that but he had more hair than me! I wish I'd have said something to him now.The local Sheffield sports paper - the Green Un - contained a letter from another Wednesday fan in tribute.Sincere wishes to his wife Shirley and family from all at Wednesday. famihu nlar

JOHN WOOD
I REMEMBER JOHN WELL. I COLLECTED HIS AUTOGRAPH MANY TIMES AS A KID. HE WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED BY ALL THE BLUE HALF IN SHEFFIELD.

Lea
he was a lovely man and a friend to us all, xxx

kevin sheldon
Big John sir john to stoke fans aged 40+. what more can any stoke fan say. Thankyou John. GOD BLESS

ken from abbey hulton
a truly great player who will be sadly missed wish we had got him now rip big john xx

Greg Heap
Best centre forward to ever play in the blue & white of the Owls. RIP big fellow

Andrew Fisher
A great player and a gentleman. What more can I say?

Gary Turner
Like most people I can remember with affection and amusement the 'headed' goal John scored against Southampton but a goal thst really stisks in my memory was one that he scored against Blackpool. John Ritchie was not only a great goalscorer but also a very brave player. In this match against Blackpool the goal he scored was a testament to how brave John Ritchie was. The Blackpool goal keeper that day was Tony Waiters a former England keeper who was built like the proverbial brick ****house! A cross came over from the left wing I think from Keith Bebbington the massive Waiters came out to punch the ball away only to be met by John Ritchie determined to head the ball. Ignoring the potentiality of a collision with Tony Waiters' fist john met the ball first with the result that the ball, Tony Waiters and John Ritchie ended up in the net. A brilliant goal but of course one that would have been disallowed today even though the challenge was perfectly legal. Thank you John for giving me such pleasure in watching you in those long gone heady days of the 60's and early 70's when Stoke City were a very much feared and respected football team. How I long for those days to return but I very much doubt that they will. God bless you John

Graham"Boothen ender"
Much respect big man,glad you chose Stoke as your home,you are gone but the memories will live on in every Stoke fans heart.The greatest centre forward "England" never had,it was a privilege to have seen you play.

Dave Woodward
He gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. Also a very nice man with time for his m.any fans

Pat Brennan
John was my hero of the late 60's and early 70's. Just like Richard Waterhouse, when we were young, playing footy in the fields of Saxonfields, I always wanted to pretend to be Big John, but being the only Irish boy in our gang, I had to be Terry Conroy...not that I was disappointed in that, just to pretend to be John for one day would have made my game!. Even to this day, my fantasy football teams are named "John Ritchie Superstar." I once saw John at the incinerator at Sideway, but was too "shy" to say hello, but no doubt he would have welcomed it...but I did havd the honour of meeting the whole team during the 25 yr celebration at the Britannia Stadium and made up for the "shyness" and had a good conversation with him. God Bless John

Paul Smith
I had the pleasure of meeting John when I was at school a true gentleman and a great servant to Stoke City part of our wonderful 1972 Cup winning team. RIP John.

Mike Ward
John was a true gentleman in every respect and a master of his craft. R.I.P

Steve Wain
Condolences to all his friends and family. As a boy watching Stoke in the 60s and 70s John Richie provided some outstanding memories. Above all he was a gentleman and will be sadly missed.

jamie
r.i.p john stoke city football club will miss you. r.ip i never saw him play but i will miss you

Chris Warrington
Very sorry to hear about the loss of John, who was of course playing in Stoke's heyday. Wonder what he'd think about the team now, as always every season raising hopes to see them thoroughly crushed again!

John Harvey
Have some wonderfull memories,of Big John rising above the opposition,and meeting the ball with a thumping great header,it was a goal

Jeff
JR Was as well liked by Sheffield Wednesday fans as he was by Stoke City fans. To this day we still sing his praises as one of the best centre forwards to wear the blue and white of Wednesday. R.I.P Big fellow, and thanks for the memories. Jeff in Sheffield.

Steve Holmes
John was an all time great I saw him play for both Stoke & SWFC & the fond memorys of seeing him in action will remain with me for ever RIP Big John

Harlan Senior North Anston nr Sheffield
Thanks for the memory John,many, many special memories, they don't make 'em like you any more!

John Allen
I watched John throughout his Stoke career. A real centre forward!

Richard Waterhouse
Big John was my boyhood hero - I remember playing football with my friend Anthony Bebbington.He pretended to be Jimmy Greenhoff as he had blond hair and I was his strike partner J.R.(only because I had dark hair!) My first match that I watched was Stoke v Arsenal in 1970 I think, when Stoke thrashed the Champions to be 5 - 0!! It was on Match of the Day too.Big John scored 2 in the first half, one a fair shoulder charge on the Arsenal centre half midway in the Arsenal half to get the ball, then he dribbled towards the Arsenal goal before shooting past Bob Wilson.Wow! On another occasion, I was playing at home and my Dad came home after a round of golf. Guess who I saw? he said. My sister & I tried to guess but with no joy.My Dad produced a used brown envelope out of his pocket with 2 signatures on.Both said John Ritchie!One for me & one for sister. We were both thrilled. John Ritchie was a true football legend.R.I.P Big John.

geoff sutton
What a loss! How we need him now.

Ian Colley
We Owls all have fantastic memories of John, especially after he had been such a thorn in our side for a few years previously. An honest professional, a true gentleman of the game, as well as a great player. What a sad end.

Richard Farrington
As a 15 year old I remember the league cup match against Manchester United in 1971 like it was yesterday. I went straight from school and got in to the stoke end as the gates opened at 6pm. Normally I would have stood in the middle of the terrace, but for some reason I stood against the wall at the bottom just to the left of the goal, little did I realise how fortuitous my positioning was. Two superb goals that night, one from Peter Dobing and the 2nd, an awesome header from 'Big John'. I still have the pictures of his goal, the one from behind the goal as the ball enters the net with the United players looking back in depair is an all time Stoke Classic. As a season ticket holder in the early 70's I was privileged to see John Ritchie at his best, occassionally yes you would be in danger of being hit by one of his shots at the back of the boothen end, then against Ispwich a lobbed goal from an unbelievable tight angle near the corner flag at the Stoke end. Since the 70's, strikers have come and gone, and some have left fond memories but to me the best of the lot was always John Ritchie, he gave everything, and you couldn't ask for more.

RON BANKS, BIDDULPH
I was a former captain of the Stoke City A and B teams in which John's brother Bob was playing at the time. I remember John standing on the sideline smoking his pipe and although coming to watch his brother, what a thrill it was to see a first team player taking the time to come and watch us juniors when he could. I last saw him at the Keele Golf driving range some years ago enjoying the other great sport in his life. My deepest sympathy to all the family. A giant of a man in every way.

David Sunderland
One of the best centre forwards to have played for Sheffield Wednesday and one of my boyhood heroes.R.I.P.

wayne baddeley
Just too young to have seen him play unfortunately. Only one thing can stand in football thaough, and that's statistics. Ritchie's record need no explanation, it will never be surpassed by another stoke player. God bless you John.

Karen Hall
Never be a centre-forward in Stoke's History who could match him! Very sad loss to the "Potters".

john harding
the night he beat the man united defence with the highest jump ive ever seen will live in my memories forever.We used to sing "his name is john ritchie the leader of our team the greatest centre forward the world has ever seen" RIP BIG JOHN

Neil Tansley
Growing up as both a Kettering Town and Stoke supporter, John played a massive role in sparking an interest in football that has brought me much pleasure and lasted a lifetime. Many Thanks and RIP.

David Potts
I had the great pleasure of watching John Ritchie play and being a family friend. I was in his son Stephens class all through school. I visited the family home on numerous occasions and John and Shirley made me feel really welcome. I have some fond memories of the ritchie househhold.John was a gentlemen and a Stoke City legend. My deepest sympathies to Shirley,Stephen,David and Julie.

pat trafford
one of the great centre forwards

Glynnis
Thank you John for memories that will always be with me. You were a wonderful player and I am only grateful that I was able to share those wonderful times. My thoughts go now to his wife and family at this very sad time.

NICHOLAS ALCOCK
Dear Raqdio Stoke, I saw most of Big Un's home matches. I see TC says it was a good deal to sell him. Well, £70,000 was a lot of money back in those days. But, I stood at the Stoke End in seasons 1968-69 and 1969-70 watching Stoke fight desperate relegation battles. How we missed hin:his strength, his determination, his aerial power, his goals. And how things improved when he returned. I remember one headed goal in a FA Cup replay with Man U almost on full time winning City the match. Perhaps, the greatest tribute to Big Un are the marvellous memories we have of him. As someone who watched his games I cannot remember a bad thing. Yours Nicholas Alcock City fan 1963-today

Mike Preston
I was lucky! Grandpa and I held season tickets at the Vic in the early 1960's. Matthews was all the rage, but Central League games were well worth the view because John Ritchie was playing, a star in the making. A hat-trick against the ageing Bert Trautmann was a clear indication of his long term promise. For one goal, he beat two men dribbling along the Town End by-line before nut-megging the great keeper at point blank range! His "proper" debut at Bolton Wanderers in '63 effectively set the scene for the next ten years, and my happy childhood. Two cracking goals scored to ensure a glorious away win, and I was there. Big John became my boyhood "Roy of the Rovers" and his loss is truly devastating. RIP, my lifelong hero.

Mike Lambert
Great player, remember him crashing in those headers into the Boothen goal. Most especially 1963/64 season, 1st back in the 'Premiership' or 1st Division. Recall 3 consecutive home games 4-4 v Burnley, 4-4 v Sheff Wed and 4-1 v Birmingham. John scored in all including hat-trick v Sheff W. Great memories RIP

Les Johnson
John was an all time great for Stoke,he will be sadly missed.Many condolences to his family.

Josephine &Randall Hill
so glad to have been brought on football at this time Richie was a great goalscorer he played the sort of football i would like to see at stoke now but i no i never will.I met him a few times in recent years he always looked the same tall hansome man lovely to speak to My sympthy SHIRLEY & family

IRIS WRIGHT
THEY BROKE THE MOULD OF SOLID GOLD THAT ONCE MADE OUR BIG JOHN, RIP JOHN

Richard Berry
Big John was my "Hero" and I was always JR in any football games and will never forget him. R.I.P John

Derek
Big John was a giant who stood out in an age of giants. R.I.P John, and thanks for the happy times. We were so lucky to have you wearing the red and white stripes.

Howard Stubbs (Victoria, Melbourne)
Being over 50 years of age and a life long Stoke City supporter I can honestly say that Big John was the best centre forward that I have had the pleasure to see. He was Stoke through and through. When I became aware of his sad passing a tear came into my eyes as I felt as I had lost a close friend. I never met the man off the pitch but our friendship grew while watching him play. I believe that when he first started to play for Stoke , Stan took him to one side told him to look towards the Boothen end and said those fans are looking for a hero. Little did he know how big a hero he was to become. Thank you John for being a part of our lives, you will be missed but never forgotten. Stoke on Trent has lost a true HERO and gentleman. My thoughts go to his family and friends at this sad time.

John Austin
A great player and a true gentleman. John made you proud to be a Stokie. RIP John

dave pennington
when ever i think of that fantastic team of the seventys he is there and always will be; nice man great player lets see stoke name a stand after him.thanks for them great memories john god bless

John Goldstraw
I have just heard the very sad news about JOHN RICHIE WITHOUT A DOUBT STOKE NEVER GOT ANYWHERE NEAR REPLACING THE MAN. HE WAS AN OUT AND OUT CENTRE FORWARD. I OWE JOHN RICHIE HE WAS PART OF MY YOUTH ALONG WITH THE LIKES OF DENIS SMITH HE WORE THE RED AND WHITE STRIPES BECAUSE HE WANTED TO PLAY FOOTBALL FOR STOKE CITY AND HE WANTED TO SCORE GOALS FOR THE BOOTHEN END. MR RICHIE YOU HAVE LEFT US FAR TOO SOON BUT YOU WILL ALAYS BE A PART OF THE CLUB AND STOKE CITY MUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN. WHEN YOU TURN OUT TOMORROW FOR THE HEAVEN X1 WEAR THE NUMBER 9 SHIRT WITH PRIDE. THANKS FOR ALL THE GOALS AND ALL THE MEMORIES AND LASTLY THANKS FOR ALWAYS SAYING HALLO WHEN I SHOUTED TO YOU ACROSS THE STREETS OF STOKE ON TRENT. GOD BLESS JOHN RICHIE

phil
one of the best players i had the pleasure of watching god bless john

Les Plimbley
I can remember coming home from school in November 1966 to find that Stoke had sold John to the Owls. It was the most devastating news for a ten year old supporter. He gave us so many great times in the 60s and 70s.

Gary Owen
John was a great natural goalscorer and was much underrated outside of North Staffordshire. A true Stoke legend.

BOB EGERTON
GREAT PLAYER AND A GREAT GOLFER TO PLAY AGAINST HAD MANY HAPPY TIMES WITH HIM GOD BLESS

Tony Hough
Thanks for the memories , you were one of the greatest. Rest in peace.

Jim Jones
John was a gentleman. He was a person I am glad to have known in my lifetime.

Brian Lawrence
I can remember when John played for Stoke when he got the ball all he was told to do is go for goal and this he did. He was a really true old fashioned Centre Forward. Someone worth just going to the old Victoria Ground to see. You just knew that when a centre came in there would always be a chance of it ending in the oppositions net when john was playing. my condolances to all is family (Happy days remembering John and the old Stoke Team)

phil nash cheadle
john ritchie was one of my boyhood heroes.i remember his debut back in the 60,s.he may be gone but will never be forgoten. thanks for all those goals john rip.

bernard berry
If John Charles was the King of Wales John Ritchie was the King of Stoke

Sean Evans
A true Stoke legend.My thoughts are with John's family tonight.

A Cook
I remember John from the glory days of Stoke, the team lunches in the BPMF Club and also when the lads went to the Placemate on Fridays. It cam as a shock to hear that he had passed away. My Father died at 67 of Alzheimer's and I know only too well what grief his family has endured prior to his passing. Remember the good days.

Stuart Cartlidge
I saw John play on his return to Stoke in the start of the 70's and saw him with my other hero's at Wembley in 1972.he for me was part of the Golden age of Stoke City FC when up to the mid 70's we looked like real Champions and came close to being the top of the tree. John Richie was a big part of this era and one I am very proud of

rob stockton
Alzheimers is a cruel ilness. It does not respect the talented, the intellectual, the hard working or the loving mother as in my case. John Ritchie gave me many wonderful memories. I just wish he could have jumped into the sea of Stoke fans at Hillsborough. A twist of fate denied John and thousands of us,a magical moment. Happy, innocent days. God bless

jim bush
My deepest condolenses to the family of John Ritchie. I will always remember him has the great man that he was. God Bless you Shirley, Steven, David and Julie.

GRAHAM BAKER
I hope Shirley and family will find comforted to know just how sad we feel at the passing of a true hero (our hero),a big man held in the very highest regard

Kroweman Sheffield.
What a player how we could do with him now. He scored the only goal the last time Wednesday won at bramall lane. I remember he scored against Wednesday when Stoke won 2-0 at Hillsborough, we signed him just after and came to Stoke and yes we won and John scored. Also he scored a great goal when we beat Leeds 3-1 at their place in a cup replay and we also won that one. He only played for Wednesday a short while but thanks for the honour. Rest in peace and thanks for the memories.

Keith Potts
The news of JR made me weep I do not do this this man was a SCFC hero - a real star i must be a Stokie! born one -die one keep the faith luv keith, stafford

duncan holland
a great striker.i grew up watching big john,a stoke hero who will be greatly missed by all stoke fans who saw him play.

tony woolley
I grew up watching him and the other stoke players of that time and have great memories of him.condolences to is family.god bless you john you were a great stokie.

jacko
a fond fair well 2, 1 of stokes greats

dave/josh mason
John was a real nice guy and a brilliant striker

Dave Malam
Big John was a giant of a man and a good old fashioned centre forward. He gave me many many happy times on the Boothen End particularly when he scored against Alex Stepney playing for the Great Manchester United. Big John leapt head and shoulders above Stepney's hands and nodded the winner to send 40,000 Stoke Fans ecstatic. Nowadays Big John would be worth millions. Gone but not forgotten, R.I.P. Big John and thanks for the memories.

Charlie Hambly
Great player. Sadly missed

Vale Fan Mary
I may be a Vale fan, but a good footballer always stands out.I watched him when he first came to Stoke and he really did stand head and shoulders above the rest. No pun intended. A true centre half.RIP John.

Laura Hardy
A fantastic player, a credit to stoke city and the perfect gentleman. He will be missed.

pbooth
A wonderful footballer - I saw him in action at Victoria Ground in the 1970's - will be sadly missed

Manuel (Malta)
Sad news. True Stoke legend.My thoughts to his family.R.I.P big JOHN