Ripley: Stanley Keith (Keith)

1952-1958 (Player Details)

Wing Half

Born: Normanton Nr Wakefield: 29-03-1935

Debut: Stoke City (h): 08-09-1954

6’1” 11st 2lb (1957)

Leeds had to beat off stiff opposition from Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion before capturing Ripley. He starred as a centre-half at Normanton Secondary School, but it was as a wing-half that he joined Leeds from Altofts YMCA in April 1952. After Tommy Burden had parted company with United in September 1954, Ripley was given his chance to establish himself at right-half as Eric Kerfoot switched to left-half to replace the departed skipper. He had a long stint in the position before Archie Gibson came in and he made a couple of appearances at inside-right. He did his National Service in the Royal Signals and played for the Army against a Scotland XI at Ibrox Park in 1955. He was also selected against an Irish XI at Highbury in December 1954, but the match was called off. On demob he returned to Leeds. In United’s promotion season with Gibson and Kerfoot the regular half-backs, Ripley bided his time and after Gibson was injured he joined the team in the vital run-in as United reeled off four famous victories with Ripley at right-half. Gibson was back for the First Division campaign but Ripley was always there as deputy as well as acquitting himself well at inside forward. In 1957-58 he started at inside forward but with the signing of Irishmen Wilbur Cush and Noel Peyton he found his appearances were getting rarer and he took the option of moving to Norwich City in August 1958. He scored six goals in twelve League appearances within three months but was sold to Mansfield Town for £4,000. He scored five goals in thirty-one League games but in July 1960 he joined Peterborough United. He soon established himself and won a Fourth Division Championship medal in his first season. He netted twelve goals in eighty-two League appearances in a successful two year stint at London Road with the Posh. In August 1962 he was transferred to Doncaster Rovers and played one hundred and twenty-three full League matches and another five games from the bench, scoring seven times there before retiring in 1966.