|
Post by salopstick on Dec 11, 2010 21:14:59 GMT
|
|
|
Post by NG4POTTERS on Dec 12, 2010 14:09:35 GMT
Good read that salop. Cheers for the link. Wish i'd seen him play in the flesh. Cracking bloke to have up top.
|
|
|
Post by georgeantonio on Dec 13, 2010 16:02:20 GMT
Yes what aman John was New his dad Duncan who was a Scot In modern days if not selected for England Big John would be a regular in the Scotland XI
|
|
|
Post by StokieBoy31 on Dec 19, 2010 0:36:02 GMT
He is burried a few grave stones away from my mate never saw him play in the flesh ,but wow i wish i did!! R.I.P
|
|
|
Post by skelman on Jan 19, 2011 0:28:44 GMT
Can't think who it was against, but I can remember him taking the ball through to the opposition goal line, stopping it and then getting down on his hands & knees to put the ball in with his head to score!
|
|
|
Post by Joules on Jan 20, 2011 23:35:02 GMT
I had the pleasure of meeting him. Went his house a few times. A lovely man, lovely family.
|
|
|
Post by ihaveadream on Jan 23, 2011 12:06:08 GMT
A career average of 1 goal every 2 games, brilliant striker.
|
|
|
Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Jan 23, 2011 13:19:09 GMT
Can't think who it was against, but I can remember him taking the ball through to the opposition goal line, stopping it and then getting down on his hands & knees to put the ball in with his head to score! It was against Southampton. We were trying to sign Osgood who said Big John was only good with his head. Osgood went to Southampton instead and who do we play next game, Southampton! I think it was big John's third and he was making a point! ;D Forget Greenhoff it was Big John for me every time! NQM
|
|
|
Post by salopstick on Jan 23, 2011 13:34:41 GMT
|
|
decs
Spectator
Posts: 23
|
Post by decs on Jan 29, 2011 2:19:18 GMT
A great read which brings back many happy memories of my older brother raving about John. That goal against Southampton has legendary status in our house. Both my brother and John were taken from us too early and any mention of big John makes me think of my brother. It does show how Stoke City is so much more than a football club to many of us, providing us with memories and conflicting emotions throughout our lives. Seeing the red and white stripes in action remains as awe inspiring as ever, that feeling you have as a child, never leaves you. John was a true legend, that word is over used, but John fully deserves the label. Rest in Peace Big Man.
|
|
|
Post by pretzel on Jan 29, 2011 12:05:18 GMT
|
|
|
Post by lancashirelad on Apr 6, 2011 21:51:45 GMT
Fantastic thread. He was my first and only Stoke idol (as i was a youngester). My first game 26 Sep 70 the 5-0 win against Arsenal. I remember crying reading about his broken leg at Ipswich on the night game which finished his career. I still spit when I hear or read kevin Beattie's name (spit) . Thanks to all for poiting to Youtube footage.
|
|
pegleg
Youth Player
Posts: 327
|
Post by pegleg on Apr 7, 2011 19:00:25 GMT
I knew big John. He once told me the story when we played Man U in the week. He said he went round one, dummied another, round the keeper and buried the ball in the net. Then upon retreving the ball from the back of the goal, got his head stuck betwwen the posts!!
|
|
|
Post by semis on Apr 9, 2011 1:09:17 GMT
Can't think who it was against, but I can remember him taking the ball through to the opposition goal line, stopping it and then getting down on his hands & knees to put the ball in with his head to score! Leicester I believe.
|
|
|
Post by oldgit57 on Jun 30, 2011 23:22:45 GMT
Great centre forward would have been worth a fortune at todays prices! my fave big John goal was a towering header from a corner against Liverpoool, think that was in a 2-0 victory. Made Ron Yeats, Scottish centre half look daft that day!
|
|
|
Post by roninnorwich on Jul 16, 2011 19:44:28 GMT
Have only just read that Independent obituary - what a truly fantastic piece!! Wish I'd seen him play....
|
|
|
Post by elystokie on Jul 16, 2011 19:55:52 GMT
My Dad used to deliver his coal.
He took me up his house to meet him and get his autograph when I was a kid, lovely bloke.
rip Big John.
|
|
|
Post by mistersausage on Jul 26, 2011 0:52:58 GMT
Lovely obituary to a fabulous Stoke player and the player I always pretended to be when kicking a ball about as a snotty nosed kid. He was my local hero
|
|
|
Post by darksideofthemoon on Jul 26, 2011 6:11:05 GMT
Great centre forward would have been worth a fortune at todays prices! my fave big John goal was a towering header from a corner against Liverpoool, think that was in a 2-0 victory. Made Ron Yeats, Scottish centre half look daft that day! OMG - just how much would he be worth in todays' market?? A 6'9" striker who could dribble, too!!!?? Great player ;D One of the few mistakes I can remember Waddo making - selling Big John to Sheffield Wednesday
|
|
|
Post by Cyprusdelilah on Aug 12, 2011 9:44:54 GMT
What a legend, I was lucky enough too meet John Ritchie, a few years after he had finished playing football.
At Wolstanton golf club, one day the course was busy, got to the short 6th and who was standing there, I was a dumb struck. He just turned around and said "would you like to join us fellas" what a gent he was all the way round.
Played with him once more before I came to Cyprus.
|
|
|
Post by tankcats on Aug 16, 2011 9:55:16 GMT
Can't think who it was against, but I can remember him taking the ball through to the opposition goal line, stopping it and then getting down on his hands & knees to put the ball in with his head to score!
|
|
|
Post by tankcats on Aug 16, 2011 10:05:13 GMT
Can't think who it was against, but I can remember him taking the ball through to the opposition goal line, stopping it and then getting down on his hands & knees to put the ball in with his head to score! It was against Southampton. We all roared with laughter. Then my mate said Ritchie would be in Waddingtons office on Monday for a rollockin!!!! Think we won 3 0.
|
|
|
Post by swiftyoldboy on Dec 26, 2011 15:05:06 GMT
my hero big john richie, what a fantastic centre forward,just glad i was young enough to have seen him play,only one other forward who was as good as john,and that was alan shearer,both great headers of the ball,and great goal scorers.
|
|
pegleg
Youth Player
Posts: 327
|
Post by pegleg on Jan 18, 2012 0:33:35 GMT
John was a member of Wolstanton Golf Club, he was Captain one year. He was showing my son (aged four then) his putting style on the practice green. My son ran up, picked up Johns new Titlest ball and threw it in the pond. Just to show there were no hard feelings, he gave my son a kitkat. Gentleman
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 22:05:46 GMT
Remember them doing a full page spread on John, in the daily express, wish I,d have kept it.
|
|
|
Post by rosco on Feb 27, 2012 21:52:57 GMT
JR's born in the same town as I am, legend
|
|
|
Post by JurgenVandeurzen on Apr 10, 2012 15:57:05 GMT
great read.
|
|
|
Post by johnnypotter on Apr 12, 2012 22:59:31 GMT
Big John Ritchie was a fearless striker and a lovely man.
|
|
|
Post by harrysburrow on Apr 13, 2012 21:26:19 GMT
I saw him play loads and spoke to him several times too. Great player, great bloke.
|
|
|
Post by bigvigs on Apr 24, 2012 8:05:39 GMT
As the song went: "His name is Johnny Ritchie, he's the Leader of our team He's the finest centre-forward that the World has ever seen"
And he was !!!
|
|