As professional player John Ritchie played for four professional clubs, Cowdenbeath FC, Brechin City FC, Bradford City FC and Dundee United FC during a playing career that lasted 15 years and over 450 first team games.
Pictured left is JR at Highbury from his time at Bradford City when they played Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1973. He was given man of the match that day in the 2-0 win for the Gunners who scored with goals from Alan Ball and Charlie George.
On retiring from playing due to injury he moved to the coaching and management side of the game, beginning with the assistant manager’s position at Brechin City. After three years in this position he moved to Forfar Athletic as assistant manager before returning to Brechin City as manager, a position he held for seven years. During this time he twice led Brechin to promotion from the SFL Division Three, once as champions (1989) and once as runners-up (1992).
Following his spell as manager at Brechin he joined Hibernian FC as SFA Community Coach and first team Goalkeeping Coach. At this time he coached Jim Leighton, Scotland’s most capped goalkeeper, Brian Gunn ex Aberdeen and Norwich goalkeeper and Oli Gottskalksson the Icelandic national goalkeeper.
JR remained a Hibee for six years before being invited to join Dunfermline Athletic as Head of Player Development and first team goalkeeping coach. Here he worked with Ian Westwater, Marco Ruitenbeek, Derek Stillie, Scott Thompson and Sean Murdoch, now at Hamilton FC.
For the past four years JR has been involved with the SFA as goalkeeping coach to the International Youth Teams, U17 and U19 male and female squads. He is also a staff coach with the SFA, delivering the Goalkeeping Licence Diploma.
During season 2007-08 to present JR has been the coaching mentor to the Management team at Thornton Hibs JFC. He has been responsible for training and coaching the team and advising the Management team on team tactics. The high spot of this his first venture into junior football was to help Thornton Hibs progress to the semi final of the Scottish Junior Cup last April, a feat that was last achieved in season 1959-60.
Although coaching goalkeepers is his specialist field JR is also fully qualified as an outfield coach through the SFA Coach Education Programme and gaining full coaching licences for
Coaching Children’s licence Diploma
Youth Licence Diploma
Goalkeeping Licence Diploma
A Licence Diploma
UEFA Pro Licence Diploma
This makes JR one of the most qualified coaches in Scottish Football
As professional player John Ritchie played for four professional clubs, Cowdenbeath FC, Brechin City FC, Bradford City FC and Dundee United FC during a playing career that lasted 15 years and over 450 first team games.