Neil Rioch

Neil Rioch
Personal information
Full name Daniel Gordon Rioch[1]
Date of birth (1951-04-13) 13 April 1951 (age 73)[1]
Place of birth Paddington, London, England[1]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1966–1968 Luton Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1968–1969 Luton Town 0 (0)
1969–1975 Aston Villa 22 (3)
1971 → Toronto Metros (loan) 11 (1)
1972 → York City (loan) 1 (0)
1972 → Northampton Town (loan) 14 (4)
1975–1976 Plymouth Argyle 5 (0)
1976 Portland Timbers 23 (3)
Total 76 (11)
International career
1969 England youth
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Daniel Gordon "Neil" Rioch (born 13 April 1951) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played in the Football League for Aston Villa, York City, Northampton Town and Plymouth Argyle, in the North American Soccer League for Toronto Metros and Portland Timbers. The younger brother of Scotland captain Bruce Rioch he was one of the ball boys at the 1966 World Cup final and claims to be the first Englishman to touch the ball at that event.[3] He was also on the books of Luton Town without making a league appearance.[1][2][4] He was capped by the England national youth team in 1969.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 523. ISBN 978-1-85291-665-7.
  2. ^ a b Jarred, Martin; Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Selby: Citizen Publications. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-9531005-0-7.
  3. ^ "Rioch's riddle keeps football fans guessing. - Free Online Library".
  4. ^ "North American Soccer League Players: Neil Rioch". North American Soccer League Jerseys. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  5. ^ Rollin, Jack, ed. (1988). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 752. ISBN 978-0-356-15880-8.