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John Burridge (born 3 December 1951 in Workington, Cumberland) is an English former professional football goalkeeper who played for 29 different clubs in a career that lasted nearly 30 years. Overall, Burridge played 771 league games in the English and Scottish leagues, and several more at non-league level. Burridge (nicknamed Budgie), played for fifteen Football League teams, which is a still-existing record.

[edit] Playing career

Burridge began his professional career at his hometown club, Workington, signing-up at the age of 16. He played his first league game in 1969. In 1971, he was transferred to Blackpool, where he spent four seasons. It was with the Seasiders that he won his first honour: the Anglo-Italian Cup. Blackpool beat Bologna 2-1, after extra time, at the latter's Stadio Comunale on 12 June 1971. Burridge's performance earned him the praise of the normally highly-critical Italian fans.^[1]

In 1975 Burridge joined Aston Villa. He was signed by Ron Saunders and spent two seasons at Villa Park, winning the League Cup Final with them, but eventually lost his place to Jimmy Rimmer. He had a short but successful loan spell at Southend United before joining Crystal Palace in 1977 signed by Terry Venables. After two and a half seasons at Palace, he joined London rivals Queens Park Rangers, again signed by Terry Venables. He was dropped in favour of Peter Hucker for the 1982 FA Cup Final.

In the summer of 1982, Burridge joined his seventh club, Wolverhampton, whom he helped gain promotion as champions to the top flight, only to be relegated the following season. He left Wolves in 1984 to join Sheffield United signed by Ian Porterfield. He also had a loan spell at Derby signed by Arthur Cox, shortly before joining the Blades.

Burridge spent three seasons at Sheffield United before joining Southampton in 1987 signed by Chris Nicholl. Two years later, he moved to Newcastle United. After two years at Newcastle United, he moved north of the border to join Hibernian, where he won a Scottish League Cup winners' medal. After two years in Edinburgh, Burridge returned to Newcastle for a second spell at the club in 1993 signed by Kevin Keegan.

Despite being past 40, Burridge refused to hang up his gloves, and continued moving across the country for short spells at any club that requested his services. Between 1993 and 1997, Burridge played for no fewer than fourteen clubs. They were, in chronological order: Scarborough, Lincoln, Aberdeen, Dumbarton, Falkirk, Manchester City (with whom he became, at 43 years, 4 months and 26 days, the oldest player to appear in the Premier League^[2]. He also started three more games after this - his last appearance was for Manchester City v QPR on 14 May 1995), Notts County, Witton Albion, Darlington, Grimsby, Gateshead, Northampton, Queen of the South, Blyth Spartans and finally Scarborough again. These spells usually lasted no more than one or two games as an emergency goalkeeper. Burridge finally retired from the game in late 1997, at the age of 45.

[edit] Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame

Burridge was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.^[3] Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Burridge is in the 1970s.^[4]

[edit] Coaching career

Burridge 'discovered' Oman international goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi aged 16 in his first spell on the coaching staff of the Oman national football team and was instrumental in the player's transfer to Bolton Wanderers in January 2006. He has also coached English national goalkeepers Tim Flowers, Nigel Martyn and Paul Robinson.

Burridge worked as a goalkeeping coach for Al Ain Football Club in the United Arab Emirates. He is also a regular guest for an English Premier League show on the regional sports channel ART Prime Sports and a regular pundit on Starhub, Singapore's Football Channel. He is also a writer in the football column of Singapore newspaper, The New Paper. Burridge had a spell as a backup commentator along with Rob Lee for Ten Sports UEFA Champions League fixtures and resident pundit on The Football Channel in Singapore, before returning to coach the Oman national team as goalkeeper coach.

[edit] Personal life

Burridge is married to Janet, whom he met while with Blackpool. His son, Tom, played ice hockey for Blackburn Hawks.^[5]

[edit] Honours

[edit] As a player

Blackpool

• Anglo-Italian Cup winner: 1971

Aston Villa

• League Cup winner: 1977

Hibernian

• Skol Cup winner: 1991

[edit] See also

• Football journeymen.

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Calley, Roy (20 October 1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 187362607X. 
• Singleton, Steve, ed (2007). Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC (1 ed.). Blackpool: Blackpool Gazette. ISBN 9781845471828. 

[edit] External links

• John Burridge career stats at Soccerbase
• Profile at Neil Brown's statistics site
• Burridge in the Blackpool Supporters Association Hall of Fame