Ronnie Briggs
Encyclopedia
William Ronald "Ronnie" Briggs (29 March 1943 – 28 August 2008) was a Northern Irish
footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United
, Swansea Town
and Bristol Rovers
in the 1960s.
Born in Belfast
, Briggs was scouted by Manchester United at the age of 15, and signed professional forms with them on his 17th birthday. His first team debut came ten months later, in a First Division
match away to Leicester City
on 21 January 1961. However, his debut was a disaster; he conceded six goals as United lost 6–1. Briggs would go on to make a total of just 11 appearances for the club, the last coming in 1962, before he was sold to Swansea Town
in 1964. A year later, he was signed by Bristol Rovers
, where he stayed until 1968, when he moved to Frome Town
, thus ending his League football career.
Briggs also collected two caps
for Northern Ireland
, making his debut in a 4–0 loss to Wales
in April 1962. His only other appearance was a 2–1 win over the Netherlands
in 1965.
After retiring from football, Briggs went to live in Stapleton, Bristol
, and worked in insurance, construction and security until a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer
forced his retirement in March 2008. Briggs died at St. Peter's Hospice, Bristol, on 28 August 2008, and is survived by his wife, Ena, his three children, Julie, Stephen and Jane, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Swansea Town
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
and Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in the 1960s.
Born in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Briggs was scouted by Manchester United at the age of 15, and signed professional forms with them on his 17th birthday. His first team debut came ten months later, in a First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
match away to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 21 January 1961. However, his debut was a disaster; he conceded six goals as United lost 6–1. Briggs would go on to make a total of just 11 appearances for the club, the last coming in 1962, before he was sold to Swansea Town
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
in 1964. A year later, he was signed by Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, where he stayed until 1968, when he moved to Frome Town
Frome Town F.C.
Frome Town Football Club is an English football club based Frome, a town in the county of Somerset. Founded in 1904, their nickname is the Robins and they play in a predominantly red kit. Their home is Badgers Hill, which has been the club's ground since their formation...
, thus ending his League football career.
Briggs also collected two caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, making his debut in a 4–0 loss to Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in April 1962. His only other appearance was a 2–1 win over the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in 1965.
After retiring from football, Briggs went to live in Stapleton, Bristol
Stapleton, Bristol
Stapleton is an area in the north-eastern suburbs of the city of Bristol, England. The name is colloquially used today to describe the ribbon village along Bell Hill and Park Road in the Frome Valley. It borders Eastville to the South and Begbrook and Frenchay to the North...
, and worked in insurance, construction and security until a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
forced his retirement in March 2008. Briggs died at St. Peter's Hospice, Bristol, on 28 August 2008, and is survived by his wife, Ena, his three children, Julie, Stephen and Jane, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.