Cod Almighty | Article

by Andy Atkins

27 July 2010

"Lee Ridley (born 5 December 1981 in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire) is an English football left back notable for his long throw." (Wikipedia, et al. 2010)

On 24 June, only hours after want-away left-back Joe Widdowson had signed for future third division strugglers Rochdale, former Scunthorpe United graduate Lee Ridley sped down the M180 for emergency contract talks with Neil Woods. Sources from the club revealed that negotiations were surprisingly short:

Woods: "We have a vacancy at left-back... can you play there?"
Ridley: "Yes."
Woods: "OK, one more thing... can you throw the ball quite far?"
Ridley: "Yes, I'm notable for my long throw."
Woods: "Sign here please."

So henceforth 'The Ridler' became a member of the Grimsby Town family – regardless of what we might all be thinking. I suppose it's a bit like when your sister brings her boyfriend round for tea. He might not be as bright, athletic or as comfortable round the dinner table as the last one – but there's nothing we can do about it. It's not your sister's fault that her ex left her for Keith Hill. We'll just have to make do with Lee and forget about Joe. That's right; in my metaphor Lee Ridley is Neil Woods' shit new boyfriend.

I don't think any of us were under any illusions about Lee Ridley's ability as a footballer. A sneaky peak at his performances during recent pre-season friendlies suggest he's an old-fashioned full-back. A throwback to a time when full-backs were as wide as they are tall, they hated being in possession for longer than five seconds and had a tendency to maim wingers if they even thought of trying something fancy. At the minute it's a case of so far, so good... although I think it's fair to say that his mobility may be a problem against some of the better players, but at this level you wouldn't expect to come across them every week.

According to Wikipedia, Lee began his career at Scunthorpe United as a "small child" – quite an achievement given the basement division's overly physical reputation. It's usually no place for small children. In Lee's seven years at the club he made 117 appearances and scored three times between 2000 and 2007. Using his long throw to good effect, no doubt. Ridley's days at Glanford Park coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club's history, with the combative left-back picking up a fourth division runners-up medal in 2005 and a third division champions medal in 2007.

Despite having an offer to stay with the newly promoted second-flight side in 2007, Ridley decided to weigh up his options. After struggling to hold down a place in Scunthorpe's promotion-winning side, he decided to stay in the third division and signed a three-year deal with Cheltenham Town. In hindsight, that's probably a decision he regrets. In an injury-plagued three seasons in the Cotswolds, Lee only managed 61 appearances with the Robins and spent time out on loan at Darlington and Lincoln City. Ironically, given the plight of his previous employers when he was in North Lincolnshire, Lee's days at Whaddon Road coincided with one of the most miserable periods in the club's history, with Cheltenham relegated back down to the basement division and, in 2010, narrowly escaping a return to non-League football.

Now, though, after a hefty summer clearout at Cheltenham, Lee Ridley has returned home. Let's just hope he surprises us all... or at least me.