Ritchie Humphreys

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Ritchie Humphreys
File:Humphreystrancele.jpg
Personal information
Full name Ritchie Humphreys
Height 5 ft 10 in (178cm)
Position(s) Winger/Left Back/Striker
Team information
Current team
 Hartlepool United
Number 8
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:28, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

Ritchie Humphreys (born November 30 1977 in Sheffield) is a professional footballer who currently plays for Hartlepool United in League Two. He is eligible to play for England.

Childhood and early career

Ritchie Humphreys was introduced to football from an early age, his grandfather Ernest Humphreys played for Milwall, Motherwall and St Mirren. His dad, John Humphreys also had trials with Sheffield United.[1]

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.[1]

Humphreys then played for the Sheffield Boys and was one of their few players who didn’t 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. [1]

Sheffield Wednesday Years

Rise to Providence

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[1].

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 Holland[1].

Humphreys played the first game and scored twice. He then played in the second game against FC Utrecht and scored again. Marco Van Basten was the guest of honour for that game and he praised Humphreys and said he was the next Johan Cruijff[1] [2].

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[3]. Humphreys also scored in the following match against Leeds. Two games later, Humphreys scored a much talked about goal when he went on a 50 yard run and scored spectacular chipped goal against Leicester City[4][5]. Humphreys was seen as the driving force behind Sheffield Wednesday's shock early lead at the top of The Premiership. [6]

His form linked him to a £4 million move to Leeds United[4]. However Humphreys remained at Sheffield Wednesday and played 34 games for them in the 96/97 season. His performances earned him a place in the England team for the 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Malaysia, alongside the likes of Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer, Danny Murphy and Jamie Carragher[7]. Humphreys wore the much coveted number 9 shirt for that tournament.

Decline

For the next two seasons, after Sheffield Wednesday signed an influx of foreign players such as Paulo Di Canio and Benito Carbone, Humphreys failed to hold down a regular place[8] and he only played a total of 31 games in those two seasons.

Humphreys was then sent on loan to Cardiff[4] where he played 10 matches, scoring twice. He was then sent on loan to Scunthorpe where he played 6 matches and again scored twice. 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 on trial[9]. 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 leg[10]. 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[11].

Hartlepool Years

Early Success and Heartache

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"[12]. Humphreys started the 2001/2002 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[13]. Despite not scoring many goals Hartlepool manager Chris Turner was pleased with his performances[14].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[15].

File:Humphreyspenaltycheltenham.jpg
Ritchie Humphreys is consoled by team mates after his play-off semi final penalty miss against Cheltenham

Humphreys first season at the club would end in disappointment as he missed the decisive penalty in the play-off semi final defeat to Cheltenham Town, which cost Hartlepool a place in division two. The penalty struck the woodwork twice and stayed out[16]. 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[17]. 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[1]. Humphreys also received lots of letters of support from the Hartlepool fans. [16]

First Promotion

When Humphreys returned to pre-season training for the following season, he was playfully teased over his penalty miss[18]. 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[19]. 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 [20][21]. During this season it was revealed that Humphreys had been writing a diary, which he published and named it "From Tears to Cheers2, in reference to his tears at Cheltenham[22].

More Play-Off Heartache and Relegation

The following two seasons once again saw Humphreys as an ever-present in the Hartlepool side under new manager Neale Cooper . In 2003/04, 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[23]. Due to the injuries of Micky Barron, Humphreys began regularly captaining the side[24].

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[25]. This helped to erase the memories of Cheltenham[20]. 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[26]. Before the end of the season Humphreys extended his contract by a further two years[25].

The following season 2005/06 saw Humphreys become the first player to make 200 consecutive league appearances for Hartlepool[27].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[28].

Second Promotion

For the 2006/07 Danny Wilson was appointed the new manager, Wilson had previously managed Humphreys at Sheffield Wednesday. On August 22nd 2006, Humphreys was dropped for Hartlepool’s match against Hereford. 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 loan[29]. 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 with a view of signing him on a permanent basis[30] but Hartlepool refused and Humphreys returned. Humphreys later stated that he had no intentions of leaving Hartlepool[31].

After a bad start to the season Hartlepool were struggling near the lower reaches of the table. However, this changed against Accrington when Humphreys scored a spectacular last minute winner[32]. 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[33]. Hartlepool would remain in the top two for the remainder of the season and secured promotion, narrowly missing out on the title. Humphreys peformances earned him a place in the League 2 PFA Team of the Year[34]. Humphreys was also awarded the Monkey Business Achievement Award for this contribution to the season[35]. 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. [36]

Statistics

Club Performance
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Others [37] Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Port Vale 2006-07 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Hartlepool United 2006-07 38 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 43 3
2005-06 46 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 2
2004-05 46 3 6 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 60 3
2003-04 46 3 3 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 54 4
2002-03 46 11 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 49 11
2001-02 46 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 51 5
Cambridge United 2000-01 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 3
Sheffield Wednesday 2000-01 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Scunthorpe United 1999-00 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 2
Cardiff City 1999-00 9 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 2
Sheffield Wednesday 1998-99 19 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 3
1997-98 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
1996-1997 29 3 4 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 5
1996-1997 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Total 364 38 30 5 9 0 0 0 14 1 417 43

Honours

  • Hartlepool United Fans' Player of the Year: 2003, 2006
  • Hartlepool United Players' Player of the Year: 2006
  • North East Coca-Cola League Player of the Year: 2006
  • (Member of) PFA Team of the Season: 2003, 2007


With Hartlepool United

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Humphreys, Ritchie (2003). From Tears to Cheers. Cheers Promotions. pp. Introduction. ISBN 0-9545696-0-1.
  2. ^ "Humphreys dreams of Cardiff joy". The Northern Echo. 2004-05-28. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "The hardest recorded shot in football - ever". The Northern Echo. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Mon 22nd Nov 1999 - Humpreys signs for City". Cardiff City Online. 1999-11-22. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Ritchie Humphreys". CNN Sports Illustrated. 2001-11-01. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "The Managerial Merry-Go-Round". Sheffield Wednesday – Official Site. 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Football: Shepherd strikes as England ride luck". The Independent. 1997-06-19. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Di Canio and Wednesday Set For Divorce". 4thegame.com. 1998-12-24. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "Humphreys signs for Us". BBC News. 2001-02-02. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Humphreys joins Hartlepool on trial". Cambridge United: Rivals. 2001-07-16. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Humphreys signs for Hartlepool". Cambridge United: Rivals. 2001-07-17. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Poll: Humphreys is "a big loss"". Cambridge United: Rivals. 2001-07-22. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "A good day for a Wednesday reunion". The Northern Echo. 2001-11-12. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Ritchie one of the best". The Darlington and Stockton Times. 2002-01-11. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Humphreys earns praise from Turner". The Northern Echo. 2002-02-15. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ a b "Ritchie helps Pool to forget Whaddon woe". The Northern Echo. 2002-08-12. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Memorable Moments: Ritchie Humphreys". Frank Reid, Hartlepool Mail: Official Site. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  18. ^ Humphreys, Ritchie (2003). From Tears to Cheers. Cheers Promotions. pp. Pre–Season. ISBN 0-9545696-0-1.
  19. ^ "Carlisle 1-3 Hartlepool". BBC News. 2002-08-10. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Details - Ritchie Humphreys". In The Mad Crowd, Hartlepool United Statistics. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  21. ^ "Humphreys takes top player honour". The Northern Echo. 2003-04-17. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Humphreys looking for new chapter of success". The Northern Echo. 2003-08-09. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Play-off heartache too much for Humphreys". The Northern Echo. 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Keep it up, skipper tells Boyd". The Northern Echo. 2004-03-31. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ a b "Humphreys caps a memorable week with new deal". The Northern Echo. 2005-05-23. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Play-off loss a new low for Humphreys". The Northern Echo. 2005-05-31. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Record breaker". BBC News. 2005-12-06. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "8: Ritchie Humphreys". Hartlepool: Vital Football. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  29. ^ "Humphreys leaves Pools". The Northern Echo. 2007-09-08. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Port Vale keen to keep Humphreys". BBC News. 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Good to be back says Humphreys". North East Football. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Post Pilgrim Papers". Hartlepool United – Official Site. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  33. ^ "Humphreys left foot sets Pools apart from the rest". The Northern Echo. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC News. 2007-04-22. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "Nelson and Liddle Big Winners". Hartlepool United – Official Site. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ "Humphreys is pride of Hartlepool". BBC News. 2007-01-11. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Includes Play-Off, Football League Trophy and FA Community Shield matches
  38. ^ Hartlepool United Official Site- Honours List. Last accessed on July 25 2006.


Bibliography

From Tears to Cheers: Ritchie Humphreys' Hartlepool United Promotion Diary [1], Ritchie Humphreys, Cheers Promotions

External links

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