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Post by roosterscomb on Oct 21, 2014 16:31:53 GMT
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Oct 21, 2014 16:48:40 GMT
Don was the fastest Stoke player I saw in the "old days" - probably one of the fastest Stokies to play at the Old Victoria Ground. His pace even impressed Real Madrid when they played at Stoke - their manager made a point of commenting on his pace after the game.
R.I.P Ratter
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Post by jarvinski on Oct 21, 2014 17:01:06 GMT
R I P don, The good lord can finally lock the old boothen end gates, don was so quick they used to leave the boothen end gates open because the great man had trouble stopping at the corner flag, he was the fastest player ive ever seen
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Post by Trubritt on Oct 21, 2014 17:11:46 GMT
R I P don, The good lord can finally lock the old boothen end gates, don was so quick they used to leave the boothen end gates open because the great man had trouble stopping at the corner flag, he was the fastest player ive ever seen
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Post by Trubritt on Oct 21, 2014 17:13:13 GMT
RIP Don Ratcliffe
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Post by jezzascfc on Oct 21, 2014 17:22:19 GMT
I never saw him play myself, but my dad was a youngster at the club during his time and, to this day, still says Don's the fastest thing he has seen on a football pitch.
RIP to a Stoke legend.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 17:23:39 GMT
Sad news..... he and his wife were good friends with my mum and dad - i only met him a few yrs ago - he was very friendly and a character also very gracious about my dad when they were at stoke together
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Post by Olgrligm on Oct 21, 2014 17:31:49 GMT
RIP
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Oct 21, 2014 17:33:33 GMT
RIP. Mr. Ratcliffe.
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Post by Clem Fandango on Oct 21, 2014 17:37:43 GMT
RIP Don
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Post by stokiejoe on Oct 21, 2014 17:49:34 GMT
R I P don, The good lord can finally lock the old boothen end gates, don was so quick they used to leave the boothen end gates open because the great man had trouble stopping at the corner flag, he was the fastest player ive ever seen Remember when he set off on one of his runs the Boothen End (including me) used to shout "open the gates' for that very reason. Cracking player who gave all out effort, sad to see another old time favourite go. RIP Ratters.
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Post by tcdobinghoff on Oct 21, 2014 18:11:18 GMT
He looked fit enough when he did a couple of sprints at the Spurs game last season when the old players were paraded.
sad - great character and the source of a lot of humour for older Stokies. Thanks "Ratter".
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Post by thepirehillpoet on Oct 21, 2014 18:16:38 GMT
RIP Don Ratcliffe, Stokie hero and as such he will be remembered. I can remember kicking a ball about in the street, the biggest lad always chose to be Stanley Mathews but the next one in the pecking order was always Don. Open the gates up there a true hero is coming through.
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Post by lancer on Oct 21, 2014 18:33:48 GMT
RIP Ratter, and thanks for the lovely memories. A real 'flier' down the wings. Still chuckle when I remember the cries when Ratter picked the ball up and went on a run. "Open the gates, here's Ratter'.Bet they're saying that to Angel Gabriel right now.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Oct 21, 2014 18:38:32 GMT
I wonder if he was ever timed over 100 yards? It was yards in those days! Even on a cinder track (no tartan then) he'd have been sub 10 for the 100 yards, I should think?
Anyone know if anyone ever put a stop watch on him?
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Post by Billybigbollox on Oct 21, 2014 19:10:34 GMT
RIP Don
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Post by Okie Stokie. on Oct 21, 2014 19:43:47 GMT
R.I.P.
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ianbuckley
Academy Starlet
Neil, my Godfather
Posts: 184
Location: Cheshire
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Post by ianbuckley on Oct 21, 2014 20:23:17 GMT
One of a host of great left wingers to play for us. RIP
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Post by ST1 Stokie on Oct 21, 2014 20:24:04 GMT
RIP Ratter would have loved to been privileged to watch you
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 20:24:24 GMT
He looked fit enough when he did a couple of sprints at the Spurs game last season when the old players were paraded. sad - great character and the source of a lot of humour for older Stokies. Thanks "Ratter". that was johnny king?
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Post by Staying up for Grandadstokey on Oct 21, 2014 20:32:47 GMT
Spent the last couple of years playing on the left wing though he could not kick with his left foot, but he could hardly expect to get the no.7 shirt off Stan. RIP Don thanks for the memories.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2014 20:33:34 GMT
R.I.P. I'm sure he was still playing when I first went to a match. Sad news.
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Post by OldStokie on Oct 21, 2014 20:46:40 GMT
RIP Don, and sincere condolences to all family and close friends.
He was a super player for us, and as others have said, was probably the fastest winger I've ever seen at Stoke. Thanks for the memories, Don.
OS.
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Post by lagwafis on Oct 21, 2014 20:48:54 GMT
We got talking to him around the time of Sir Stan's funeral in 2000. Nice man and spoke plenty of sense. I still remember him saying he wished more modern day players would have the confidence to run and take on their man with a bit of skill - just what you'd expect from a winger
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Post by march4 on Oct 21, 2014 21:02:54 GMT
One of my first heroes in red and white.
RIP Don
Rat-a-tat-rat-a-tat-rat-a-tat-tat!!!
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Post by tpholloway1 on Oct 21, 2014 21:07:50 GMT
RIP Ratter. Stoke legend . Open the gates!
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raven
Academy Starlet
Posts: 118
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Post by raven on Oct 22, 2014 8:03:29 GMT
Thanks for all you did for us.
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Post by georgeantonio on Oct 22, 2014 8:17:58 GMT
Always used to tell him the day he marked Johnny Haynes never giving him a kick The days he played right half,before his winger days RIP rat
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Post by georgeantonio on Oct 22, 2014 8:20:06 GMT
Remember Ratter playing right half marking Johnny Haynes never giving him a kick RIP rat
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Post by PerCyfilth ....Captains Log on Oct 22, 2014 8:38:01 GMT
So sad to hear that Don has passed. Stokie Legend! I was fortunate to meet Don when he was doing some building work on his home and he was a true gent. RIP.
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