Quick Facts
Biography
Stuart Edward Ripley (born 20 November 1967) is a former English professional footballer, who played as a winger from 1985 until 2002, notably for Blackburn Rovers where he won the Premier League in 1995.
He also played in England's top flight for Southampton as well as playing in the Football League for Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday. He earned two national caps for England.
Ripley retired from professional football in 2002 and is now working as a solicitor.
Club career
Middlesbrough
Ripley first made his name with Middlesbrough in the late 1980s, before achieving success in a £1.3 million move to Blackburn Rovers, helping them to the league title in the 1994–95 season and becoming a cult hero. In the 1991–1992 season he helped Middlesbrough achieve promotion to the newly founded Premier League, as well as playing an important role in Middlesbrough getting through to the League Cup semi-final. They also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup losing in a replay to Portsmouth.
Blackburn Rovers
During the summer of 1992, Ripley was signed by Blackburn Rovers who had achieved promotion along with Boro. He was briefly their record signing until later in July they signed Alan Shearer for £3.3million. On his debut for Blackburn, he scored the club's first Premier League goal, opening their scoring a 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Southampton
In 1998, aged almost 31, he moved to Southampton, and retiring four years later. He scored one goal for Southampton against Derby County on 4 October 1999. He also served loan spells at Barnsley (twice) – scoring in his debut, a 1–2 home loss to former side Blackburn – and Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored once against Crystal Palace.
International career
He was capped twice by England as a full international; against San Marino on 17 November 1993 and against Moldova on 10 September 1997.
Post-football
After finishing his playing career, Ripley set up the Castleford Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, providing physiotherapy to nearby rugby league teams, as well as local football teams. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2007, with a first class combined honours degree in Law and French.
His son, Connor Ripley, is a goalkeeper and plays for Middlesbrough.
In 2010 Ripley became a qualified solicitor. He is a member of FA’s Judicial Panel hearing cases relating to matters such as doping, safeguarding, agent activity and discrimination.
Honours
- Full Members Cup finalists: 1989–90
- Premier League champions: 1994–95