Kevin Ratcliffe
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Kevin Ratcliffe (born 12 November 1960 in Mancot, near Queensferry in North Wales) is a former footballer for mainly Everton and Wales.
Ratcliffe was considered one of the fastest central defenders ever to play football. On arrival at Everton he challenged the whole first team squad to a sprint race and won. He was not the most skillful of footballers but he anticipated superbly, tackled ferociously and did the simple things well.
He joined Everton as an apprentice in 1977 and made his début in 1980 but was not a first team regular until 1982. In 1983 at the age of 23 he was made captain of Everton, just as they began their highly successful spell. His greatest achievements were when Everton in 1984 won the FA Cup, in 1985 and 1987 won the Football League Championship and also in 1985 the European Cup Winners' Cup. There were also two other FA Cup finals. Ratcliffe made 461 appearances for Everton and scored two goals in that time (one a 30-yarder at Anfield).
After leaving Everton in 1991, he went to Cardiff City and then played for a short spells with Dundee, Nottingham Forest and Derby County then playing for and managing Chester City to the 1995-96 play-offs. He stayed as manager of Chester City through their financial problems until 1999. While managing Chester City, Ratcliffe discovered that the water company were about to disconnect the supply. Reputedly Ratcliffe drew £5000 from his own bank account because the club's cheques were refused.
In November 1999 Ratcliffe joined Shrewsbury Town as manager. The highlight of his tenure was a January 2003 FA Cup third round victory over his old club Everton, who were doing well in the Premiership at the time. Interestingly, Everton manager David Moyes was a former Shrewsbury player. At the end of the season, Shrewsbury were relegated to the Football Conference after 53 years in the Football League. Ratcliffe was sacked.
He now works for BBC Wales Sport.
Categories: 1960 births | Living people | Welsh footballers | Wales international footballers | Everton F.C. players | Cardiff City F.C. players | Nottingham Forest F.C. players | Derby County F.C. players | Chester City F.C. players | Dundee F.C. players | Welsh football managers | Chester City F.C. managers | Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers
