Riley: Valentine (Val)

1924-1928 (Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Hebburn Nr South Shields: 1904

Debut: Bolton Wanderers (a): 02-02-1927

5’8” 11st 0lb (1928)

Riley joined United in November 1924 from Wood Skinners, Hebburn, as a twenty-year old. Although he had played for Washington Colliery initially and had then been on Middlesbrough’s books, but never played for their first team, and also played with Hebburn Argyle before joining the Skinners. His only senior appearance for Leeds came when Bobby Turnbull and his deputy, Albert Sissons, were unable to play. In August 1928 he joined Newport County, via Annfield Plain, where he was converted to half-back. He became well established at Somerton Park, scoring four times in eighty-one League appearances. After they had lost their League status, he left Newport in August 1931 for West Stanley, but twelve months later he joined Southampton. He failed to make the first team at the Dell and returned to the North-East with Jarrow. He died in 1966.