John Ritchie

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John Ritchie (born Kettering, 12 July 1941) was an English footballer.

Ritchie is Stoke City's top marksman of all-time. He scored 176 goals in 343 games during two spells at the club, from June 1962 to November 1966, and from July 1969 to May 1975. It was reported that Stoke manager Tony Waddington bought Ritchie for £2,500 purely on a scout's recommendation. In 1966, after scoring 30 goals in 47 games, he was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for £70,000, but was re-signed for £45,000 less than three years later. Ritchie led Stoke's attack over the next few seasons, notably during 1970/1971 and 1971/1972, scoring 37 goals as Stoke City twice reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and won the League Cup.

His career was brought to an end in 1974 by a double leg fracture and, after retiring from football, he concentrated on his pottery business based in Stoke.

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