PADDY RATCLIFFE

Full Name: Patrick Christopher Ratcliffe

Born: 31 December 1919

Came from: Wolverhampton Wanderers   Went to: Retired

First game: 23 August 1947   Last game: 03 December 1955

Appearances: 246 (246/0)   Goals: 10

Ratcliffe’s attempts to pursue a career in football were interrupted by the Second World War. The Irish full-back played for Bohemians in Dublin for two seasons before volunteering to join the RAF in 1941. Although Ireland remained neutral during the war, Ratcliffe served as an air gunner and was shot down during a raid on Essen, Germany, suffering shrapnel wounds to his left leg. He escaped the burning aircraft by parachute but was captured and spent almost 14 months as a prisoner of war in Lamsdorf, Poland, followed by a further 11 months at a camp in Luckenwalde, Germany.

Following his liberation at the end of the war, Ratcliffe returned to Bohemians for the first two months of the 1945-46 season before moving to England with Notts County. He did not make a first-team appearance at Meadow Lane and moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 1946, where opportunities were similarly limited and he made only two appearances in the First Division.

Argyle signed Ratcliffe in June 1947, but transfer regulations prevented him from appearing in the club’s remaining relegation fixtures of the extended 1946-47 season. His debut came at Newcastle United on 23 August 1947, when Argyle lost their opening game of the new campaign 6-1 in front of an impressive crowd of 52,642.

Initially used at right-back, Ratcliffe lost his place following the arrival of manager Jimmy Rae, with the experienced Bobby Stuart preferred and George Silk later taking over the position. Ratcliffe continued to perform well in the reserves and, by the latter part of 1949-50, had established himself in the first team.

A cultured full-back comfortable with either foot, Ratcliffe liked to support the attack and could deliver accurate, measured crosses. His composure also made him a natural penalty taker, with most of his ten Argyle goals coming from the spot. Although neither an especially fierce tackler nor as quick as fellow full-back Pat Jones, the pair developed a formidable partnership during one of the club’s most successful periods.

After missing only three League matches in 1950-51, Ratcliffe was ever-present the following season as Argyle won the Division Three (South) championship. His reputation also extended to his native Ireland and, while still registered with Argyle, he was invited to appear for Bohemians in a memorial match for former manager Jimmy Dunne in May 1952.

Ratcliffe remained a dependable member of the side throughout the first half of the 1950s. During Argyle’s 1954 tour of the United States, he appeared in eight of the ten matches and scored four goals, including a rare goal from open play in the 16-2 victory over the Colorado All Stars.

By 1955-56, his opportunities were becoming less frequent as George Robertson enjoyed an extended run at right-back. After nine seasons at Home Park, 246 appearances and ten goals, he retired in 1956 at the age of 35 and emigrated with his family to the United States. Ratcliffe passed away in California in March 1986, aged 66.