John Aldridge

John Aldridge
Aldridge in 2023
Personal information
Full name John William Aldridge
Date of birth (1958-09-18) 18 September 1958 (age 66)
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1978–1979 South Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1984 Newport County 170 (70)
1984–1987 Oxford United 114 (72)
1987–1989 Liverpool 83 (50)
1989–1991 Real Sociedad 63 (33)
1991–1998 Tranmere Rovers 243 (138)
Total 673 (363)
International career
1986–1996 Republic of Ireland 69 (19)
Managerial career
1996–2001 Tranmere Rovers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John William Aldridge (born 18 September 1958) is a former footballer and manager. Nicknamed "Aldo",[2] he was a prolific, record-breaking striker. His tally of 330 Football League goals is the sixth-highest in the history of English football.[3]

During his early career, he worked his way up through the lower leagues, playing in every league from the old Fourth Division to the old First Division. Initially signed as a replacement for Ian Rush, Aldridge spent over two successful seasons at Liverpool, winning the league and FA Cup once, and narrowly missing out on a second league title. Aldridge spent two seasons at Real Sociedad, becoming the first non-Basque player to sign for the club in several decades as they abandoned their selective recruitment policy. In 1991, he returned to England to play for Tranmere Rovers, becoming their player-manager in 1996. He retired from playing in 1998 and resigned as manager in 2001 and has not managed since.

A Liverpudlian by birth, he was recruited to play for the Republic of Ireland as part of Jack Charlton's "Granny Rule" policy: his great-grandmother was from Athlone, and travelled to Liverpool to settle in the 19th century.[4][5] His career with Ireland coincided with their most successful period in international football, and he played at two World Cups.[6][7]

  1. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. ^ Quinn, Philip (6 November 2000). "Irate Aldo refutes phoney Irish claim". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  3. ^ "England – All-Time Topscorers – All Football League Divisions (and Premiership)". rsssf.org. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  4. ^ "Irish Football and the 'Granny Rule'". www.soccer-ireland.com. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  5. ^ Hilton, Nick (18 March 2011). "Shamrock Scousers: Liverpool FC hero John Aldridge recalls his happiness playing international football for Ireland". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  6. ^ Byrne, Peter. "Magical memories of Italia '90 linger still". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Daniel McDonnell: Ireland's Generation Game - How the post Italia '90 class are finally making their mark". independent. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.