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As a young man, Ridley played for Sheffield University and other English
Universities, as he earned his degree and qualified as a teacher. This
achieved, he then signed professional forms with Port Vale in July 1973,
having previously been at the club on youth terms. He came through to
the professional ranks at the same time as David Harris, who would also
become a key player for the "Valiants". Ridley played ten Third Division
games in 1973–74. He scored his first goal in senior football in a 3–1
win over Charlton Athletic on 27 April 1974.
He established himself in the first team under manager Roy Sproson by
March 1975, and played nineteen games of the 1974–75 campaign. He was an
ever-present for the 1975–76 season, playing 52 games and finding the
net against Rotherham United. His performances earned him the Player of
the Year award at the end of the season. He played a further 45 games
in 1976–77, scoring once against Swindon Town.
Ridley played 47 games of the 1977–78 season, and found the net in a 5–2
demolition of non-league Arnold in the FA Cup First Round. However Vale
suffered relegation into the Fourth Division at the end of the season
under Bobby Smith.
In May 1978 he was loaned to American side Fort
Lauderdale Strikers, who were competing in the now defunct North
American Soccer League. Strikers finished third in their four team East
Division, though he returned early in August after suffering from
illness.
He played seven games for Vale at the start of the 1978–79, before he
was sold to Leicester City for a then club-record £55,000 fee in October
1978. The "Foxes" were then a Second Division side, and avoided
relegation by three points in 1978–79. A Frank McLintock signing, when
Jock Wallace took over as manager Ridley's days at Filbert Street were
numbered. He played 24 league games for Leicester, before he was sold on
to Chesterfield for a £35,000 fee in August 1979.
He was used in defence by the club, and formed an impressive centre-back
partnership with Bill Green. Chesterfield missed out on promotion
from the Third Division in 1979–80 after finishing one point behind
Sheffield Wednesday. The "Spireites" went close again 1980–81, finishing
three points behind promotion winners Barnsley and Charlton Athletic.
They also won the last ever instalment of the Anglo-Scottish Cup
following a 2–1 win over Notts County. Chesterfield then posted a
disappointing eleventh place finish in 1981–82, and Ridley returned to
Port Vale in July 1982, amid a financial crisis at Chesterfield.
Ridley played 44 games in 1982–83, as Vale won promotion out of the
Fourth Division in third place under the management of John McGrath. He
also found the net in games at Mansfield Town, Hereford United, and
Hartlepool United. However Vale failed to retain their third tier status
in 1983–84; Ridley scored against Newport County and Southend United as
he made 35 appearances. He played 51 games under John Rudge in the
1984–85 campaign. At the end of the season he joined Stafford Rangers in
a player-coach capacity for a fee that was settled at £700 following a
tribunal. Rangers were promoted to the Alliance Premier League for the
1985–86 season.
Style of play
The Chesterfield F.C. website described Ridley as "a powerful,
dominating type, [who] nevertheless had a calming influence and elegant
touch to his play." He was described by Jeff Kent as "tall and
elegant".
Post-retirement
After finishing his playing career, Ridley went on to coach at Stafford
Rangers, Matlock Town and Newcastle Town. He also went on to teach at
various schools. He taught mathematics at Blurton High
School in Stoke-on-Trent.
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