Ritchie Humphreys

Football player infobox
playername = Ritchie Humphreys


fullname = Richard John Humphreys
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|11|30|df=y
cityofbirth = Sheffield
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=10
currentclub = Hartlepool United
clubnumber = 3
position = Left back/Winger/Striker
youthyears = 1995–1996
youthclubs = Sheffield Wednesday
years = 1996–2001
1999
1999–2000
2001
2001–
2006
clubs = Sheffield Wednesday
→ Scunthorpe United (loan)
→ Cardiff City (loan)
Cambridge United
Hartlepool United
→ Port Vale (loan)
caps(goals) = 067 0(4)
006 0(2)
009 0(2)
007 0(3)
313 (30)
007 0(0)
nationalyears = 1997
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 003 0(0)
pcupdate = 16:45, 2 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 16:45, 2 August 2008 (UTC)

Richard John Humphreyscite web |url=http://www.playerhistory.com/Default.aspx?page=player_details&playerID=31136 |title=Ritchie Humphreys |accessdate=2007-09-07 |publisher=Player History] (born 30 November 1977) is an English footballer, currently playing for Hartlepool United in League One.

Humphreys started his career with Sheffield Wednesday in 1996. Whilst with the club, he was loaned out to Scunthorpe United and Cardiff City. He left the club in 2001 and joined Cambridge United for a short period, after which he joined current club Hartlepool United. He joined Port Vale on loan in 2006.

Childhood and early career

Humphreys was introduced to football from an early age, his grandfather, Ernest Humphreys, played for Millwall, Motherwell and St. Mirren. His dad, John Humphreys, also had trials with Sheffield United.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction]

Humphreys grew up as a Sheffield United fan and joined their academy, which he described as a "dream come true". However, they released him when we he was 13.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction]

Humphreys then played for the Sheffield Boys and was one of their few players who did not play for a professional club. However, that soon changed when Humphreys was scouted by a Sheffield Wednesday scout and he joined their centre of excellence.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction]

heffield Wednesday

In 1995, after leaving Newfield Secondary School, Humphreys became part of Sheffield Wednesday’s youth squad. For the youth squad Humphreys played as a left winger and was offered a professional contract.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction] Due to the injuries of strikers David Hirst and Mark Bright, Wednesday manager David Pleat gave Humphreys the opportunity to go on Wednesday’s pre-season tour of the Netherlands.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction] Humphreys played the first game and scored twice. He then played in the second game against FC Utrecht and scored again. Johan Cruijff was the guest of honour for that game and he praised Humphreys and said he was the next Marco van Basten. It was during this pre season tour that he was taken under the wing and guidance of Wednesday legend Chris Waddle. After scoring 4 goals in his first 5 premier league games lifting Wednesday to the top of the league, David Pleat decided to release his mentor Waddle. Humphries didn't score another league goal all season (only notching a hat-trick in a League Cup game against Grimbsy Town in a 7–1 win). cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction] cite news
title = Humphreys dreams of Cardiff joy
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/5/28/11748.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2004-05-28
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys pre-season form earned him a full league debut in Wednesday’s opening match against Aston Villa. In this match Humphreys scored a goal that was recorded at 95.9mph, one of the hardest goals in the history of football.cite news
title = The hardest recorded shot in football - ever
url = http://football.guardian.co.uk/theknowledge/story/0,,2012031,00.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2007-02-14
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys also scored in the following match against Leeds United. Two games later, Humphreys scored a much talked about goal when he went on a 50 yard run and scored a spectacular chipped goal against Leicester City .cite news
title = Mon 22nd Nov 1999 - Humpreys signs for City
url = http://www.cardiffcity.com/Daily_newsfile_99/221199.htm
publisher = Cardiff City Online
date = 1999-11-22
accessdate = 2007-07-22] cite news
title = Ritchie Humphreys
url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/players/6754/
publisher = CNN Sports Illustrated
date = 2001-11-01
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys was seen as the driving force behind Sheffield Wednesday's shock early lead at the top of The Premiership.cite news
title = The Managerial Merry-Go-Round
url = http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/CompleteHistory/0,,10304~65737,00.html
publisher = Sheffield Wednesday – Official Site
date = 2007-06-19
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

His form linked him to a £4 million transfer to Leeds United.cite news
title = Mon 22nd Nov 1999 - Humpreys signs for City
url = http://www.cardiffcity.com/Daily_newsfile_99/221199.htm
publisher = Cardiff City Online
date = 1999-11-22
accessdate = 2007-07-22] However Humphreys remained at Sheffield Wednesday and played 34 games for them in the 1996–97 season. His performances earned him a place in the England team for the 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Malaysia.cite news
title = Football: Shepherd strikes as England ride luck
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970619/ai_n14104044
publisher = The Independent
date = 1997-06-19
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys wore the much coveted number 9 shirt for that tournament.

For the next two seasons, after Sheffield Wednesday signed an influx of foreign players such as Paolo Di Canio and Benito Carbone, Humphreys failed to hold down a regular place and he only played a total of 31 games in those two seasons.cite news
title = Di Canio and Wednesday Set For Divorce
url = http://www.4thegame.com/club/swfc/news/47717/DI+CANIO+AND+WEDNESDAY+SET+FOR+DIVORCE.html
publisher = 4thegame.com
date = 1998-12-24
accessdate = 2007-07-22] cite web
title = Sheff Wed 1997/1998 player appearances
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=127&teamid=2330
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-09-23] cite web
title = Sheff Wed 1998/1999 player appearances
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=128&teamid=2330
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-09-23] Humphreys was then sent on loan to Cardiff where he played 11 matches, scoring twice.cite news
title = Mon 22nd Nov 1999 - Humpreys signs for City
url = http://www.cardiffcity.com/Daily_newsfile_99/221199.htm
publisher = Cardiff City Online
date = 1999-11-22
accessdate = 2007-07-22] cite web
title = Cardiff 1999/2000 player appearances
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=129&teamid=485
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-09-23] He was then sent on loan to Scunthorpe United in August 1999,cite book
last = Hugman
first = Barry J.
title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005
publisher = Queen Anne Press
year = 2005
pages = p309
isbn = 1852916656 ] where he played six matches and again scored twice.cite web
title = Scunthorpe 1999/2000 player appearances
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd?seasonid=129&teamid=2263
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-09-23] After a brief return to the Wednesday side for the 2000–01 season, Humphreys decided to leave Wednesday in order to play more first team football was allowed to join Cambridge United on trial.cite news
title = Humphreys signs for Us
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1150657.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2001-02-02
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys impressed on trial scoring 3 goals in 7 games and it looked likely that Cambridge manager Roy McFarland was going to offer him a contract. However, Humphreys' trial was cut abruptly after he broke his foot.cite news
title = Humphreys joins Hartlepool on trial
url = http://cambridgeunited.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=924&p=2&stid=8147497
publisher = Cambridge United: Rivals
date = 2001-07-16
accessdate = 2007-07-22] After the sacking of Roy McFarland, new Cambridge manager John Beck was reluctant to offer Humphreys a new contract until he had seen him play.cite news
title = Humphreys signs for Hartlepool
url = http://cambridgeunited.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=924&p=2&stid=8148123
publisher = Cambridge United: Rivals
date = 2001-07-17
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

Hartlepool United

Hartlepool United manager Chris Turner then offered Humphreys the chance to train with the club. Shortly after Humphreys signed a new contract with the club, much to the dismay of Cambridge fans who wanted him to stay and described him as "a big loss". url = http://cambridgeunited.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=924&p=2&stid=8150584
publisher = Cambridge United: Rivals
date = 2001-07-22
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys started the 2001–02 season partnering Kevin Henderson up front for the first 9 league games. However after a bad run Humphreys was dropped and replaced by new signing Gordon Watson. However, Humphreys would force his way back into the team and replace Henderson to partner Watson instead, these two players were already familiar with each other from their days at Sheffield Wednesday.cite news
title = A good day for a Wednesday reunion
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2001/11/12/154409.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2001-11-12
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Despite not scoring many goals Hartlepool manager Chris Turner was pleased with his performances.cite news
title = Ritchie one of the best
url = http://archive.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/2002/1/1/149978.html
publisher = The Darlington and Stockton Times
date = 2002-01-11
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys was then moved into central midfield due to the injury of Tommy Widdrington and after impressing played there for the remainder of the season.cite news
title = Humphreys earns praise from Turner
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2002/2/15/145834.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2002-02-15
accessdate = 2007-07-22] . The penalty struck the woodwork twice and stayed out.cite news
title = Ritchie helps Pool to forget Whaddon woe
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2002/8/12/124929.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2002-08-12
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys' miss would send him to tears and he was photographed by Frank Reid, a photograph that would prove to be one of the most memorable images of Reid and Humphreys' career.cite news
title = Memorable Moments: Ritchie Humphreys
url = http://homepage.ntlworld.com/f.reid/hufc/feat_memory.html#humphreys
publisher = Frank Reid, Hartlepool Mail: Official Site
date =
accessdate = 2007-07-22] After his miss Humphreys was devastated but he was cheered up by Chris Turner and the players who rang him and told him to keep his head up.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Introduction] Humphreys also received lots of letters of support from the Hartlepool fans.

When Humphreys returned to pre-season training for the following season, he was playfully teased over his penalty miss.cite book| first=Ritchie| last=Humphreys| title=From Tears to Cheers| publisher=Cheers Promotions| year=2003| id=ISBN 0-9545696-0-1| pages=Pre-Season] Humphreys took the motto "that anything that doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger" and was determined to come back stronger. Humphreys started the 2002–03 season with a goal against Carlisle on the opening day of the season.cite news
title = Carlisle 1-3 Hartlepool
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/2181298.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2002-08-10
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Throughout the course of the season, Humphreys would be played prominently as a left winger. Humphreys finished the season as an ever present in the Hartlepool squad, adding 11 goals to his name in the process and helped Hartlepool gain promotion to Division 2. His performances won him the Player of the Season award from the supporters.cite news
title = Details - Ritchie Humphreys
url = http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_person.asp?oid=940
publisher = In The Mad Crowd, Hartlepool United Statistics
date =
accessdate = 2007-07-22] cite news
title = Humphreys takes top player honour
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2002/2/15/145834.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2003-04-17
accessdate = 2007-07-22] During this season it was revealed that Humphreys had been writing a diary, which he published and named it "From Tears to Cheers", in reference to his tears at Cheltenham.cite news
title = Humphreys looking for new chapter of success | url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2003/8/9/81309.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2003-08-09
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

The following two seasons once again saw Humphreys as an ever-present in the Hartlepool side under new manager Neale Cooper. In the 2003–04 season, Hartlepool once again made the play-offs, only to go out after conceding two last minute goals to Bristol City, a memory which Humphreys described as more painful than Cheltenham.cite news
title = Play-off heartache too much for Humphreys
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/5/21/51640.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2004-05-21
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Due to the injuries of Micky Barron, Humphreys began regularly captaining the side.cite news
title = Keep it up, skipper tells Boyd
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/3/30/57287.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2004-03-31
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

In the 2004–05 season, Humphreys helped Hartlepool once again make the play-offs. During the play-off semi-final against Tranmere, Humphreys had the task of taking a penalty for Hartlepool in sudden death. This was the first time Humphreys had taken a penalty since his crucial miss at Cheltenham. This time he scored and sent Hartlepool through to the play-off final against his old club Sheffield Wednesday.cite news
title = Humphreys caps a memorable week with new deal
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/5/23/12313.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2005-05-23
accessdate = 2007-07-22] This helped to erase the memories of Cheltenham.cite news
title = Details - Ritchie Humphreys
url = http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_person.asp?oid=940
publisher = In The Mad Crowd, Hartlepool United Statistics
date =
accessdate = 2007-07-22] However, Hartlepool lost the play-off final to Sheffield Wednesday. Humphreys believes that of all the play-off defeats he has suffered that the controversial loss to Wednesday was the hardest to take.cite news
title = Play-off loss a new low for Humphreys
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/5/31/11600.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2005-05-31
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Before the end of the season Humphreys extended his contract by a further two years.cite news
title = Humphreys caps a memorable week with new deal
url = http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2005/5/23/12313.html
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2005-05-23
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

The following season, 2005–06, saw Humphreys become the first player to make 200 consecutive league appearances for Hartlepool.cite news
title = Record breaker
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/4504110.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2005-12-06
accessdate = 2007-07-22] For this season Humphreys' moved to left back due to Hugh Robertson being injured. Unfortunately Hartlepool and Humphreys suffered relegation. Despite this Humphreys was named the Supporters and Players' Player of the Season as well as the North East Football Awards Football League Player of the Season.cite news
title = 8: Ritchie Humphreys
url = http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/player.asp?p=371
publisher =
date =
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

For the 2006–07 season, Danny Wilson was appointed the new manager, Wilson had previously managed Humphreys at Sheffield Wednesday. On 22 August 2006, Humphreys was dropped for Hartlepool’s match against Hereford United. After making 230 consecutive appearances, this was the first time Humphreys had not played since October 2001. Shortly after that match, Humphreys joined Port Vale on a month's loan.cite news
title = Humphreys leaves Pools
url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/search/display.var.913834.0.humphreys_leaves_pools.php
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2007-09-08
accessdate = 2007-07-22] This was the third time that Danny Wilson had loaned Humphreys out during his career, the only times Humphreys had ever been loaned out. Port Vale tried to extend Humphreys' loan deal by at least another month,cite news
title = Port Vale keen to keep Humphreys
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/5413500.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2006-10-06
accessdate = 2007-07-22] but Hartlepool refused and Humphreys returned. Humphreys later stated that he had no intentions of leaving Hartlepool.cite news
title = Good to be back says Humphreys
url = http://www.northeastfootball.co.uk/news_story_1644.html
publisher = North East Football
date = 2006-10-12
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

After a bad start to the season, Hartlepool were struggling near the lower reaches of the table. However, this changed against Accrington Stanley when Humphreys scored a spectacular last minute winner.cite news
title = Post Pilgrim Papers
url = http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PaperTalk/0,,10326~987746,00.html
publisher = Hartlepool United – Official Site
date =
accessdate = 2007-07-22] This sent Hartlepool on 23 match unbeaten streak. During that streak, Humphreys scored another spectacular goal against Walsall to give Hartlepool the lead in a victory that sent them into second place.cite news
title = Humphreys left foot sets Pools apart from the rest
url = http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/search/display.var.1186156.0.humphreys_left_foot_sets_pools_apart_from_the_rest.php
publisher = The Northern Echo
date = 2007-02-12
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Hartlepool would remain in the top two for the remainder of the season and secured promotion, narrowly missing out on the title. Humphreys performances earned him a place in the League Two PFA Team of the Year.cite news
title = Ronaldo secures PFA awards double
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2007-04-22
accessdate = 2007-07-22] Humphreys was also awarded the Monkey Business Achievement Award for this contribution to the season.cite news
title = Nelson and Liddle Big Winners
url = http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10326~1022852,00.html
publisher = Hartlepool United – Official Site
date = 2007-05-09
accessdate = 2007-07-22] However these awards proved small in comparison to when Humphreys was honoured by the Queen for making a "significant contribution to local and national life" earlier on in the season.cite news
title = Humphreys is pride of Hartlepool
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/6251319.stm
publisher = BBC News
date = 2007-01-11
accessdate = 2007-07-22]

At the end of the 2007-08, Ritchie was voted Player of The Year, Player of the 2000's and Hartlepool United's Player of the Century.

tatistics

Honours

*Hartlepool United Fans' Player of the Year: 2003, 2006
*Hartlepool United Players' Player of the Year: 2006
*Hartlepool United Player of the Decade (for the 2000s)
*Hartlepool United Player of the Century
*North East Coca-Cola League Player of the Year: 2006
*(Member of) PFA Team of the Season: 2003, 2007

With Hartlepool United
*Football League Third Division runners up: 2002/2003
*North East Team of the Year: 2002/2003. [ [http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Honours/0,,10326,00.html Hartlepool United Official Site- Honours List] . Last accessed on 25 July 2006.]
*League Two (Formerly Division Three) Play-Off Semi Finalists: 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002
*League One Play-Off Semi Finalists: 2003/2004
*League One Play-Off Finalists: 2004/2005
*League Two Runners Up: 2006/2007

Notes

Bibliography

From Tears to Cheers: Ritchie Humphreys' Hartlepool United Promotion Diary [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0954569601] , "Ritchie Humphreys, Cheers Promotions "

External links

*soccerbase|3718|Ritchie Humphreys
* [http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10326~9046,00.html Humphreys' Official Hartlepool United F.C. profile ]
* [http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_person.asp?oid=940 Ritchie Humphreys profile] at [http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/ In The Mad Crowd]
* [http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/player.asp?p=371 Vital Hartlepool Profile: Ritchie Humphreys]

Persondata
NAME=Humphreys, Richard John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Humphreys, Ritchie
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Football (soccer) player
DATE OF BIRTH=30 November 1977
PLACE OF BIRTH=Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=