Donald Ratcliffe (13 November 1934 – 19 October 2014) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra, Darlington, Middlesbrough and Stoke City.
Career Ratcliffe was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme and joined Stoke City in May 1953 after being recommended to the club by a local grocer who had seen him playing football in the street. He made his debut at home to Bury on Christmas Day in 1954–55 and of his 11 appearances in that season six were against Bury. He became the prankster of Stoke's dressing room and was a hugely popular figure amongst the players. On the pitch Ratcliffe's natural position was left wing although he played in every position bar centre half causing Stoke manager Tony Waddington to boast that Ratcliffe was the first £100,000 footballer – as they could have sold him for £10,000 for each position. Under Waddington he was a regular and played in every match in 1962–63 as Stoke won the Second Division title.
He fell out of favour with Waddington in the First Division and he was sold to Middlesbrough for £27,500 in September 1963. Ratcliffe's time at "Boro" was not that good as he brands manager Raich Carter as 'a waste of space' which ended with Ratcliffe joining Darlington in February 1966 helping the club gain promotion in 1965–66 which was followed by an instant relegation. He moved on again to Crewe Alexandra and again gained promotion from the Fourth Division and he ended his career with non-league Northwich Victoria. Ratcliffe died on 19 October 2014 at the age of 79.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1954–55Second Division6052—1121955–56Second Division8000—801956–57Second Division1000—101957–58Second Division31320—3331958–59Second Division31100—3111959–60Second Division31100—3111960–61Second Division41461104851961–62Second Division39230104321962–63Second Division42510204551963–64First Division80001090Total238161735026019Middlesbrough1963–64Second Division25210002621964–65Second Division26040003001965–66Second Division1411000151Total6536000713Darlington1965–66Fourth Division21500002151966–67Third Division42441324971967–68Fourth Division2331152296Total861251849916Crewe Alexandra1967–68Fourth Division20200002021968–69Third Division2703020320Total4723020522Career total4363331415448241
Honours Stoke City Football League Second Division champions: 1962–63
Darlington Football League Fourth Division runner-up: 1965–66
Crewe Alexandra Football League Fourth Division 4th place promotion: 1967–68
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