John Burridge

Football player infobox2
playername = John Burridge
nickname = Budgie
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1951|12|3|df=yes
cityofbirth = Workington
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=11
position = Goalkeeper
years = 1969–1971
1971–1975
1975–1978
1978
1978–1980
1980–1982
1982–1984
1984
1984–1987
1987–1989
1989–1991
1991–1993
1993
1993
1993–1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994–1995
1995
1995
1995
1995–1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1996
1997
clubs = Workington
Blackpool
Aston Villa
→ Southend United (loan)
Crystal Palace
Queens Park Rangers
Wolverhampton Wanderers
→ Derby County (loan)
Sheffield United
Southampton
Newcastle United
Hibernian
Newcastle United
Scarborough
Lincoln City
Enfield
Aberdeen
Newcastle United
Dunfermline Athletic
Dumbarton
Falkirk
Manchester City
Notts County
Witton Albion
Darlington
Grimsby Town
Gateshead
Northampton Town
Queen of the South
Purfleet
Blyth Spartans
Scarborough
Blyth Spartans
caps(goals) = 027 (0)
134 (0)
065 (0)
006 (0)
088 (0)
039 (0)
074 (0)
006 (0)
109 (0)
062 (0)
067 (0)
065 (0)
000 (0)
003 (0)
004 (0)
00? (?)
003 (0)
000 (0)
000 (0)
003 (0)
003 (0)
004 (0)
000 (0)
00? (?)
003 (0)
000 (0)
00? (?)
000 (0)
006 (0)
00? (?)
00? (?)
000 (0)
000 (0)
pcupdate = 17:02, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

John Burridge (born 3 December, 1951 in Workington, Cumbria) 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.

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 June 12, 1971. Burridge's performance earned him the praise of the normally highly-critical Italian fans. [Calley, Roy (1992): "Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992", p. 80. Breedon Books]

In 1975 Burridge joined Aston Villa. He was signed by Ron Saunders and spent two seasons at Villa Park, 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.

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 Portafield. 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. Burridge is the only English player to have played professional football in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.

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 [ [http://www.footballnetwork.org/dev/footballfun/records_premiership_records.asp Premiership Records at FootballNetwork.org] ] . He also started three more games after this - his last appearance was for Manchester City v QPR on May 14 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.

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

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 StarhubSingapore's [http://www.footballchannel.com.sg Football Channel] . He is also a writer in the football column of Singapore newspaper, "The New Paper".

Burridge currently is a backup commentator along with Rob Lee for Ten Sports UEFA Champions League fixtures and resident pundit on The Football Channel in Singapore.Burridge is now back coaching with the Oman National Team as Goalkeeper Coach.

Personal life

Burridge is married to Janet, who he met while with Blackpool. His father is Tom Burridge, who played ice hockey for Great Britain.

Honours

As a player

Blackpool
*Anglo-Italian Cup winner: 1971

Aston Villa
*League Cup winner: 1977

Hibernian
*Skol Cup winner: 1991

ee also

*Football journeymen.

Notes

References

*soccerbase|id=1156|name=John Burridge
* [http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/johnburridge.htm Profile at Neil Brown's statistics site]