Andy Ritchie
Image by: The Argus
PUBLISHED
09:00 29th February 2016
by Kuen-Wah Cheung
A classic Andy Ritchie strike for Albion against Leeds.
Andy Ritchie
Brighton 2-0 Leeds
(2 May 1981, Division One, Goldstone Ground)
The player
Andy Ritchie was Albion’s record signing at £500,000 from Manchester United in October 1980. He had a difficult first season at the Goldstone, struggling to win over supporters unhappy at the departure of Peter Ward. After a run of three goals in four matches from late November, his goalscoring touch seemed to desert him, but he put this right on the last day of the season.
The goal
Brighton were already 1-0 up thanks to Steve Foster’s smart drive in the first half. Now, in the second half, Fozzie went on to bamboozle the Leeds defence with a piece of ball-juggling. He ended with a shot that John Lukic smothered, only for Ritchie to stylishly hook the ball into the net.
LATEST NEWS FROM*SEAGULLS.CO.UK*
- REPORT: BRISTOL CITY 0 ALBION 4
- GALLERY: BRISTOL CITY
- HUGHTON HAILS AN OUTSTANDING REACTION
- RIDGEWELL SIGNS OFF FANTASTIC SPELL
- STRIKER HEADS OUT ON LOAN
Why this goal mattered
The goal put Brighton 2-0 up and so sealed a great escape, with the Seagulls winning their final four league matches to beat the drop. The goal also boosted Ritchie’s confidence for the following season, one which he ended as club top scorer and player of the season.And now
Ritchie went on to sign for Leeds in 1983 before joining Oldham in 1987, where he played the best football of his career, helping the Latics to two FA Cup Semi-Finals and a League Cup Final, not to mention promotion to Division One. He has managed Oldham, Barnsley and Huddersfield and currently works as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds and Manchester United TV (MUTV).
[h=3]ALBION V LEEDS UNITED
[/h]MONDAY 29TH FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY **
[/h]TUESDAY 8TH MARCH, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V READING
[/h]TUESDAY 15TH APRIL, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
Original article