Hibs have paid tribute to former goalkeeping coach John Ritchie who has died aged 70.
John joined Hibs as an SFA Community coach in the early 90s and became the club’s goalkeeping coach under Alex Miller – a position he filled later for Dunfermline Athletic, Spartans Women, and, in the past two seasons, for Arbroath.
For the last three years he guided the Hibs’ Development Squad players through their Modern Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.
A statement on the club website reads: “Though there is a lot of paperwork involved in the course, John shepherded the youngsters through the programme, and in the past three years every player has been successful in attaining the qualification – a tribute to John’s encouragement and attention to detail, and also reflecting the respect felt for him by the squad.
“He in turn had a lot of affection for the Hibs and was proud of the lads with whom he worked, recently in the development squad, and in the past, when he was coach. Regular social meetings with former Hibs staff were also a highlight for him.
“Friendly, obliging, and always hard working, everybody enjoyed John’s company and wry humour. He really was “Mr. Football” and will be missed by all at the Hibernian Training Centre, at Gayfield, and in the wider Scottish game. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
John played over 450 games in goal for teams including Bradford City, Cowdenbeath and Brechin whom he also managed for six years.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
