Ritchie Humphreys

Ritchie Humphreys

Ritchie John Humphreys (born 30 November 1977) is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Hartlepool United, where he is the club's record appearance holder.

Humphreys started his career with Premier League side Sheffield Wednesday in 1996. Whilst with the club, he was loaned out to Scunthorpe United and Cardiff City. He also won five caps for England at under-20 and under-21 levels. He left the club in 2001 and joined Cambridge United for a short period, after which he joined current club Hartlepool United. He joined Port Vale on loan in 2006.

In 12 seasons with Hartlepool he has made over 500 club appearances, and has picked up numerous club awards, including two Player of the Year awards from fans, one Player of the Year award from his teammates, as well as the award for Player of the Decade (2000s). He has also been recognized at regional and national levels, being named on the PFA Team of the Year twice, and recognized as the North East League Player of the Year in 2006. He has helped the club win promotion out of the fourth tier in 2002–03, and again in 2006–07. However he has suffered play-off heartbreak with the club on three separate occasions.