Ben Rickerby – LEP 13/01/1906

BEN RICKERBY

January 13, 1906. Lancashire Evening Post

Ben Rickerby, of Southport, has been a familiar figure in local football circles for some years. His first club was Norwood, which is now defunct, and with Lionel Watson, late of Blackburn Rovers, was once connected. His next experience of football was during a college course at Edinburgh. From thence he went to Dublin, where he was associated with the Bohemians. This was in the season 1902-3. Up to this time, Ben, who is now 25 years of age, had operated in the full back position, but in the later stages of his career with the Bohemians he went inside left, and ever since he has been in forward line. In the season following, Rickerby joined Southport Central, and after playing a few matches with the reserves was tried with the seniors. There are many who hold that he was never given a thorough trial. At any rate few were surprised when Rickerby played with Everton Reserves towards the end of the season. Subsequently, that is to say in the season 1904-5, he played for the Southport Y.M.C.A, at right inside, and for part of the season he was centre forward. At present he leads the attack. He helped the club to win the Wakefield Shield, and has seen it promoted to the Lancashire Amateur League. Frankly, Rickerby is a player of moods. At times he seems to revel in his work and puts in some brilliant touches; but there are off-days. He is possessed of more than average turn of speed, and is a capital shot. This season, while Smith was hurt, Rickerby acted on one occasion as the pivot of the Central front line.