John Burridge

Playing career Born in Workington, Burridge grew up in the Cumbrian mining village of Great Clifton. then permanently for the start of 1971–72. It was with the Seasiders that he won his first honour: the Anglo-Italian Cup. Blackpool beat Bologna 2–1, after extra time, at the latter's Stadio Comunale on 12 June 1971. Burridge's performance earned him the praise of the normally highly-critical Italian fans.

In 1975, Burridge joined Aston Villa for £75,000. After two years in Edinburgh, Burridge returned to Newcastle for a second spell at the club in 1993, signed by Kevin Keegan.

Despite being past 40, Burridge refused to hang up his gloves, and continued moving across the country for short spells at any club that requested his services. Between 1993 and 1997, Burridge played for no fewer than fourteen clubs. They were, in chronological order: Scarborough, Lincoln, Aberdeen, Dumbarton, Falkirk, Manchester City, (where he became, at 43 years, four months and 26 days, the oldest player to appear in the Premier League ) Notts County, Witton Albion, Darlington, Grimsby, Gateshead, Northampton Town, Queen of the South, Blyth Spartans, Scarborough once more. These spells usually lasted no more than one or two games as an emergency goalkeeper. He finished his playing career with a brief spell as player-manager at Blyth Spartans in 1997, following a similarly brief spell back at Newcastle United as goalkeeping coach.

Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame Burridge was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Burridge is in the 1970s.

Managerial and coaching career In his second spell with Blyth Spartans, Burridge was the club's player-manager. On 15 November 1997, he took Spartans to his first club, Blackpool, in the first round of the FA Cup.

in September 2015, he was the goalkeeping coach for the LionsXII which plays in the Malaysian Super League.

In August 2016, it was reported that he had joined Global F.C. of the United Football League, although the appointment was short-lived as Burridge did not have the necessary coaching badge.

In July 2019, he was signed by the Indian Super League top division club Kerala Blasters as their goalkeeping consultant for goalkeeping academy.

Attitude to conditioning and innovation Burridge was one of the first goalkeepers in Britain to wear Latex gloves in football matches. Unusually for a player in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Burridge was a teetotaller. He also went against the grain with his diet. In the 1970s Burridge noted players would eat steaks, or even fish and chips for prematch meals, whereas Burridge, studying sport science, and the diets of African tribesmen, sensing something was not right with the way footballers generally fuelled and refuelled, and finding fault with the timing of their fuelling, would carb up with quick meals like baby food, pasta and potatoes. He would drink glasses of water instead of a cup of tea. Perplexing the people of the time period, Burridge would also make fruit smoothies before many had considered the concept of blending fruits for nutrition.

In the 1980s, on winning runs, warming up he would do somersaults to entertain the fans, which Burridge noted was frowned upon by the echelons in the game though Burridge did not care for their sentiments, or their belief as to what was the correct way to warm up.

In the 1970s Burridge would also be among the first goalkeepers to use Latex gloves; he would also introduce Peter Shilton and Pat Jennings to latex gloves.

Personal life Burridge is married to Janet, whom he met while with Blackpool. His son, Tom, played ice hockey for Blackburn Hawks. John Burridge's autobiography, entitled "Budgie" was released on 4 April 2011.

Honours Blackpool Anglo-Italian Cup: 1971

Aston Villa Football League Cup: 1976–77

Crystal Palace Football League Second Division: 1978–79

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football League Second Division runner-up: 1982–83

Hibernian Scottish League Cup: 1990–91

Individual Newcastle United Player of the Year: 1990–91