Kevin Ratcliffe

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ratcliffe was renowned for his robust approach to the game and for being a tough tackler. He was sent off early in his career for a head butt in 1981 on Tommy Hutchison against Manchester City. He was also involved in a notable incident with Vinnie Jones in 1989 against Wimbledon. In a bad tempered match, Jones had put in a late tackle against striker Graeme Sharp flooring him, and Ratcliffe steamed forward to challenge Jones aggressively. Jones brushed his head forward in what appeared to be a headbutt, with Ratcliffe going down. Jones later claimed in his autobiography that his head barely touched Ratcliffe's and Ratcliffe had feigned contact to get him sent off. This was later confirmed in Graeme Sharp's book, Sharpy, My Story when he admitted both him and Ratcliffe exaggerated Jones's contact on them both to get him sent off to their pleasure. Ratcliffe has said in an interview the hardest (most aggressive) opponents he faced were Graeme Souness, Jimmy Case, Mick Harford and Billy Whitehurst, with Whitehurst supposedly being the hardest of all.

In Their Own Story

Whilst captain Ratcliffe won the 1984 FA Cup Final, the Football League Championship in 1984–85 and 1986–87 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1984–85. There were also three other FA Cup finals, 1985, 1986 and 1989, and a League Cup Final appearance in 1984. After leaving Everton in 1992, he went to Dundee and then played for short spells with Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Chester City. He was capped 59 times by the Wales national team, often as captain. Despite several near-misses and boasting famous players such as Ian Rush, Neville Southall, Ryan Giggs and Mark Hughes as well as Ratcliffe, Wales failed to qualify for a major tournament while Ratcliffe was involved in the set-up. He was a roommate of Liverpool rival Ian Rush's during matches.

Reader's Guide

Kevin Ratcliffe's era at Everton spanned from his debut in 1980 to his departure in 1992. Primarily playing as a centre back after moving from left back, he was known for his robust approach and tough tackling. His greatest achievements came as captain: winning the 1984 FA Cup Final, the Football League Championship in 1984–85 and 1986–87, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1984–85. He also appeared in three other FA Cup finals (1985, 1986, 1989) and a League Cup Final in 1984. Ratcliffe made 461 appearances for Everton and scored two goals, including a 30-yarder at Anfield. After his playing career, he managed Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, and now works for BBC Wales Sport.

Did You Know?

• Kevin Ratcliffe was born in Mancot, near Queensferry in Flintshire, Wales.
• He scored a 30-yard goal at Anfield during his Everton career.
• Ratcliffe was sent off for a head butt on Tommy Hutchison in 1981 against Manchester City.
• He was a roommate of Liverpool rival Ian Rush during Wales matches.
• After leaving Everton in 1992, he played for Dundee, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Derby County and Chester City.