24 Facts About John Burridge

1.

John Burridge began his professional career at his local club, Workington, signing-up at the age of 15.

2.

John Burridge's performance earned him the praise of the normally highly-critical Italian fans.

3.

John Burridge was signed by Ron Saunders and spent two seasons at Villa Park, winning the League Cup with them, but eventually lost his place to Jimmy Rimmer.

4.

John Burridge had a short but successful loan spell at Southend United before joining Crystal Palace in 1978, signed by Terry Venables.

5.

John Burridge was dropped in favour of Peter Hucker for the 1982 FA Cup Final.

6.

In July 1982, John Burridge joined his seventh club, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

7.

John Burridge helped Wolves gain promotion to the top flight as runners-up, only to be relegated the following season.

8.

John Burridge left Wolves in October 1984 to join Sheffield United, signed by Ian Porterfield.

9.

John Burridge had a loan spell at Derby County, signed by Arthur Cox, shortly before joining the Blades.

10.

John Burridge spent three seasons at Sheffield United before joining Southampton in 1987, signed by Chris Nicholl.

11.

Between 1993 and 1997, John Burridge played for no fewer than fourteen clubs.

12.

John Burridge 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.

13.

John 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.

14.

Five players from each decade are inducted; John Burridge is in the 1970s.

15.

John Burridge 'discovered' Oman international goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi aged 16 in his first spell on the coaching staff of the Oman national football team and was instrumental in the player's transfer to Bolton Wanderers in January 2006.

16.

John Burridge has coached English national goalkeepers Tim Flowers, Nigel Martyn and Paul Robinson.

17.

John Burridge worked as a goalkeeping coach for Al Ain Football Club in the United Arab Emirates.

18.

John Burridge was a regular guest for the launch of English Premier League show on the regional sports channel ART Prime Sports and a regular pundit on Starhub, Singapore's Football Channel.

19.

John Burridge is a writer in the football column of Singapore newspaper, The New Paper.

20.

John Burridge had a spell as a backup commentator along with Rob Lee for Ten Sports UEFA Champions League fixtures and resident pundit on The Football Channel in Singapore, before returning to work for the Oman national team as goalkeeper coach.

21.

John Burridge would drink glasses of water instead of a cup of tea.

22.

Perplexing the people of the time period, John Burridge would make fruit smoothies before many had considered the concept of blending fruits for nutrition.

23.

John Burridge is married to Janet, whom he met while with Blackpool.

24.

John Burridge's autobiography, entitled "Budgie" was released on 4 April 2011.