 Aldridge in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John William Aldridge | ||
| Date of birth | 18 September 1958 | ||
| 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 | (69) |
| 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 | (362) | |
| 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 329 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]
- ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ Quinn, Philip (6 November 2000). "Irate Aldo refutes phoney Irish claim". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "England – All-Time Topscorers – All Football League Divisions (and Premiership)". rsssf.org. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ "Irish Football and the 'Granny Rule'". www.soccer-ireland.com. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Byrne, Peter. "Magical memories of Italia '90 linger still". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "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.