MICK QUINN – COLIN RUSSELL

 

QUINN, Mick

DOB: 2nd May 1962
Other clubs: Derby County, Stockport County, Oldham Athletic, Portsmouth, Newcastle United, PAOK Salonika, Coventry City, Plymouth Argyle, Watford

Mike arrived at Springfield Park at the start of season 1979/80 after serving his apprenticeship at Derby County. He became a scoring phenomenon in the reserve team and he made an immediate impact on the first team when he scored on his Latics League debut against Halifax Town in a 3-1 victory at Springfield Park. The following season he was the top goal scorer with 14 goals to his credit and by the time Larry Lloyd arrived at Springfield Park he was valued at around the £500,000 million mark. A lot of money in those days.

However, after a furious run in with Lloyd, Mike joined Stockport County on a free transfer for the start of the 1082/83 season. He made 36+7 League appearances for the club and scored 14 League goals before becoming a prolific goal scorer for every club he ever played for afterwards. Mike is currently (January 2012) a well respected horse breeder and works in the media for radio station TalkSport. On air he will mention the fact that he played for Latics when the club makes news, or when it suits him. Otherwise, he is prone to making disparaging remarks about Latics and their players.

QUINN, Tony
DOB: 24th July 1959
Other clubs: Formby, Everton, Liverpool, Witton Albion, Southport, Mossley

Tony made his Latics League debut as a substitute on 20th October 1979 against Lincoln City at Springfield Park. The Blues went on to win the game 2-0 and in his next game Tony was to score in a 1-1 draw against Rochdale also at Springfield Park. He went on to score 8 league goals in his next 12 League games and he was hailed at the time as a ‘super striker’. However, his purple patch soon ended and he was released by Latics at the end of the 1980/81 season joining Witton Albion. He played a total of 36+7 League games for the Blues during which he scored 14 League goals.

He later had spells with Southport (twice) and Mossley before hanging up his boots.

RAMAGE, Craig
DOB: 30th March 1970
Other clubs: Derby County, Watford, Peterborough United, Bradford City, Notts County
Honours: England Under 21’s (3 caps)

Craig arrived at Springfield Park on loan from Derby County on 16th February 1989. He made his Latics League debut on 11th March 1989 against Northampton Town at the County Ground in a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He went on to play 10+0 League games for the Blues, the last of which was a 1-1 draw against Preston North End at Springfield Park on 1st May 1989. He was substituted in half of the games he played for the Blues and scored 2 League goals.

He is currently (January 2012) the Stoke City Academy Under 14’s coach which he combines with his property development business.

RAMIS, Ivan
DOB: 25th October 1984
Other clubs: Mallorca B, Mallorca, Valladolid
Honours: Spain Under 19’s (2 caps)
Spain Under 21’s (3 caps)
Spain Under 23’s (4 caps)

Ivan was Roberto Martinez’s second signing of the 2012/13 pre season following the arrival of Frazer Fyvie from Aberdeen.  Ramis signed a three year deal, arriving from Mallorca for a fee of five and a half million euro’s.  Ramis was all set to sign for West Ham United but Latics scuppered the deal at the last minute.

His first game for the Blues was against Mallorca in a pre season friendly on Sunday 5th August 2012 and he made his Premier League debut for Latics on 19th August 2012 in the opening day defeat against Chelsea at the DW Stadium.

REDFEARN, Neil
DOB: 20th June 1965
Other clubs: Nottingham Forest, Bolton Wanderers, Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Crystal Palace, Watford, Oldham Athletic, Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Halifax Town, Halifax Town (caretaker/manager), Halifax Town (manager), Boston United, Rochdale, Scarborough, Scarborough (caretaker manager), Bradford Park Avenue, Northwich Victoria (manager), Frickley Athletic, Bridlington Town, Emley, Salford City, York City (caretaker manager), Leeds United (youth coach) Leeds United (caretaker/manager)

It was the then Bradford City manager Paul Jewell who sold Neil to the Blues for £112,500 on 17th March 2000. Initially he was a huge success and became a crowd favourite following his knack of scoring from set pieces. He made his Latics debut on 18th March 2000 at the JJB Stadium as the Blues beat Bury 1-0. He added much needed strength to the midfield and Darren Sheridan certainly performed better with his ex Barnsley team mate in the side.

The following season (2000/01) saw Neil failing to get into the team on anything like a regular basis and by 10th September 2000 he was put on the transfer list by Bruce Rioch along with Alan McLoughlin, Brian McLaughlin and Andy Porter. He left the JJB Stadium on 16th March 2001 to join Third Division strugglers Halifax Town on a free transfer until the end of the 2000/01 season. In total he made 19+4 League appearances for Latics, scoring 7 League goals.

Redfearn is fifth in the all-time list of most Football League appearances. His last Football League appearance for Rochdale took his total to 790. He made an historic 1000th competitive appearance on 4th November 2006 for Bradford Park Avenue when they faced Solihull Borough in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Neil has written a book entitled ‘There’s Only One Neil Redfearn’ which was published in the summer of 2006.

He became the manager of Northwich Victoria prior to the start of season 2007/08 but after nine games in charge without winning a game he was sacked. He is currently (February 2012) the caretaker manager of Leeds United.  He has also been a member of the Wigan Athletic Grand Masters team.

Some Neil Redfearn trivia – did you know that Neil is the only player to score penalties for two different Premiership clubs since the Premiershi

p was formed?

REDFEARN, David
DOB: 8th November 1962
Other clubs: Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers, Rochdale, Stockport County

David was the second goalkeeper to arrive at Springfield Park on a loan arrangement from neighbours Rochdale, the other being Chris Shyne. First choice goalkeeper Roy Tunks and back up stopper Nigel Adkins were both injured so Ray Mathias had to act quickly to get a replacement in October 1987. He made his Latics League debut on 3rd October 1987 against York City at Springfield Park, a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He made a total of 3 League appearances for the Blues before Mathias went to Bury and signed Phil Hughes.

REDMOND, Daniel
DOB: 2nd March 1991
Other clubs: Hamilton Academical

Daniel was a product of Everton’s youth system before arriving at the DW Stadium, making his first appearance for the club on 20th July 2010. The game was a pre season friendly against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park which rsulted in a 1-1 draw

He made his first competitive start for Latics on 8th January 2011 in a FA Cup third round game against Hull City at the KC Stadium. The Blues won the game 3-2 and Danny came onto the field of play as an 80th minute substitute for James McArthur.

He is still to make his Premier League debut but gained valuable first team experience whilst on loan at Hamilton Academical for the latter half of season 2011/12.

REDSHAW, Ray
DOB: 23rd December 1958
Other clubs: Horwich RMI, Northwich Victoria, Macclesfield Town, Papatoetoe, (New Zealand), Chorley, Leigh RMI

Ray was signed by Harry McNally from neighbours Horwich RMI for the start of season 1984/85. Hr made his Latics League debut as a substitute for Alex Bruce on 29th September 1984. The game was a home encounter against York City which the Blues lost 1-2. He was to make 3+2 League appearances without scoring before being released at the end of the League campaign.

Ray currently (January 2012) has two sons who are playing the game professionally, Mark and Jack.

RENNIE, Paul
DOB: 26th October 1971
Other clubs: Crewe Alexandra, Stoke City, Nantwich Town

Paul was signed by Kenny Swain from Stoke City for the start of the 1993/94 season. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the season, 14th August 1993, against Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park in a game that resulted in a 2-0 defeat for the Blues.

He was to stay at Springfield Park for two seasons before being released at the end of the 1994/95 season. In total he played 36+4 League games for Latics and scored 3 League goals. Stuart Balmer and Peter Beagrie also left on the same day.

RIMMER, Neill
DOB: 13th November 1967
Other clubs: Everton, Ipswich Town, Mossley, Altrincham, Scarborough

It was after a chat with Latics legend David Lowe that Neill decided to try his luck at Springfield Park and he signed on the dotted line on 4th July 1988. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the 1988/87 season, 27th August 1988 against Bristol Rovers at Twerton Park, The game resulted in a 2-3 defeat for the Blues. He never missed a game until the end of November when he suffered a knee injury and missed most of the rest of the season with it. He was always one of the first names on the team sheet, niggling injuries permitting and he played for most of the following two League campaigns.

However, an injury sustained in a League game against Darlington at Springfield Park on 28th September 1991 resulted in Neill missing the rest of that season and he only played in the last game of the following 1992/93 season. Season 1993/94 saw him return to first team action and the combative skipper stayed at Springfield Park until the end of the 1995/96 when he was released after failing to agree to a new contract. In total he made 196+5 League appearances and scored 10 League goals for the Blues.

He won the Player of the Year Award at the end of the 1994/95 league campaign and he has also represented Latics in their Grand Masters teams.  He is still (January 2012) with the club and carries out media and community duties.

ROBERTS, Jason
DOB: 25th January 1978
Other clubs: Hayes United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Torquay United, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers,
West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers
Honours: Grenada (22 caps, 12 goals)

Jason became the club’s record signing when Paul Jewell paid First Division rivals £1,400,000 for his services on 13th January 2004. The manager had tried to bring him to the JJB Stadium four months earlier but the deal fell through when he opted to join Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the 2003/04 season. However, a change of heart saw him sign on the dotted line and he teamed up with his best friend Nathan Ellington with whom he formed a formidable partnership three years earlier at Bristol Rovers. He made his Latics League debut on Saturday 17th January 2004 in a local derby clash against Preston North End at Deepdale. The Blues ran out 4-2 winners and Jason became the quickest scoring debutant in the club’s history when he scored after just 34 seconds! In fact, he went down in history as the scorer of the third fastest goal scored on a debut in football history.

In a season that ended ultimately in disappointment many fans and the club chairman laid the blame at the feet of Jason who got sent off twice, picking up a five match suspensions in the process. This is borne out when the records show that during those five games the Blues lost four and drew one. Two of the games for which he was banned were crucial si

x-pointers, West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns and the epic last day thriller against West Ham United at the JJB Stadium. By the end of the campaign he had scored 8 League goals in 14 League appearances.

The following season saw Jason establish himself as one of the best players in the Championship. Making 45+0 League appearances and scoring 21 League goals in the process, he won the ‘Player of the Season’ award at the end of Latics’ history making season which saw the club promoted to the Premiership for the first time in history. Not only that but he scored one of Latics’ promotion sealing goals against Reading at the JJB Stadium with a broken leg! Only one player scored more goals in the Championship than him that season, and that was team mate Nathan Ellington!

During the following Premiership season he scored 8 Premiership goals in 34+0 Premiership appearances, bring his Latics career total to 93+0 League appearances and 37 League goals. He was also a member of the team that contested the club’s first ever major Cup Final. Unfortunately Manchester United beat Latics 0-4 in the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. However, after failing to agree terms on a contract extension, he signed for Blackburn Rovers in a £3.000.000 deal on 3rd July 2006.  He is currently (January 2012) plying his trade with Reading.

On December 30th 2009 he was awarded the MBE in the Queens New Years Honours list for his services to sport. This award was given due to the work of his ‘Jason Roberts Foundation’ which was set up in the spring of 2007 to encourage children in the UK and Grenada to take up sports instead of roaming the streets and causing trouble.

ROBERTS, Neil
DOB: 7th April 1978
Other clubs: Wrexham, Hull City, Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Rhyl
Honours: Wales Under 21’s (2 caps),
Wales B (1 cap),
Wales (3 caps),
Second Division Championship winner 2003 (Wigan Athletic)

Neil was signed by John Benson for £450,000 from Wrexham on 18th February 2000. He made his Latics League debut against Burnley at Turf Moor on 19th February 2000. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw and Latics became the first club to ever stop Ian Wright from scoring on one of his debut game that day. Neil has never really lived up to the price tag paid for him with regards to his goal scoring record. He had played 29+26 League games for the Blues and scored 9 League goals when, on 25th January 2002, he was loaned to Third Division outfit Hull City, however, after making 3+3 League appearances for the Tigers without scoring he arrived back at the JJB Stadium on 26th February 2002.

By the end of season 2001/02 he had added a further 1+4 League appearances and 2 League goals to his tally. Latics’ Second Division Championship season (2002/03) proved to be a turning point in his Latics career and by the end of it he had made 85 League appearances and scored 17 League goals. However, things didn’t go well for him the following season and he found himself pretty much on the outside looking in as Latics placed their goal scoring hopes on firstly Geoff Horsfield and then Jason Roberts. By the end of the campaign he had made a further 28 League appearances, 18 as a used substitute, and he netted another couple of League goals bringing his career tally to played 113 League games, scored 19 League goals.

He never played a first team League game for the club again. On 17th September 2004 he was loaned to Bradford City after failing to land a first team place at the JJB Stadium for the 2004/05 Championship campaign. And on 7th October 2004 his stay at Valley Parade was cut short when Doncaster Rovers paid £90,000 for his services. He is currently (January 2012) working as a ‘project manager’ for Manchester City.

ROBERTSON, John
DOB: 8th January 1974
Other clubs: Lincoln City, Northwich Victoria, Southport, Stalybridge Celtic, Leigh RMI, Lancaster Citer City, Runcorn FC Halton

John started his career as a trainee at Springfield Park and he signed his first professional contract on 6th July 1991. He had to wait for more than a year before making his Latics League debut on 22nd August 1992 against Stoke City at the Victoria Ground in a game which the Blues lost 1-2. He made a total of 108+4/ League appearances for the Blues and scored 4 League goals before being surprisingly transferred to Lincoln City for £15,000 on 15th December 1995. He signed for local non-league neighbours Leigh RMI on 4th November 2002.

He was last heard of (by the author) playing for Runcorn FC Halton who were managed by former Latics defender Chris Lightfoot at the time.

ROBINSON, Jordan
DOB: 28th April 1991
Other clubs: Middlesbrough, RRFC Montegnee

Jordan was picked up after being released by Middlesbrough in the summer of 2010. He impressed enough in the reserve team to be given a slice of first team action on 8th January 2011 after being an unused substitute in a couple of Premier League fames beforehand.

The game was a FA Cup third round game against Hull City at the KC Stadium in which he entered the field of play in the 63rd minute for fellow debutant Adrian Lopes Piscu. The Blues ran out 3-2 winners with another youngster, Callum McManaman netting one of Latics’ goals.

RODWELL, Tony
DOB: 26th August 1962
Other clubs: Blackburn, Colne Dynamoes, Blackpool, Scarborough, Southport, Witton Albion, Marine, Hyde United, Chorley
Honours: Fourth Division Play-Off winner 1992 (Blackpool)

Tony arrived at Springfield Park on loan from Blackpool in January 1995. He made his Latics League debut on 24th January 1995 against Preston North End at Springfield Park in a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He played 5 consecutive League games for the Blues, scoring 1 League goal before returning to Bloomfield Road on 19th February 1995. He is currently (July 2010) running his own Soccer School in Southport and also works for the Press Association.

He has also had a spell as assistant manager at Haig Avenue and is the uncle of Everton star Jack Rodwell.

ROGERS, Alan
DOB: 3rd January 1977
Other clubs: Tranmere Rovers, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Hull City, Bradford City, Accrington Stanley
Honours; England Under 21’s (3 caps)

Alan arrived at the JJB Stadium on 1st December 2003. He was signed on a month’s loan with a view of making the move permanent. Alan, a former £2,000,000 player for Nottingham Forest, made his Latics League debut on 2nd December 2003 against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light, a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He was to make 5 League appearances without scoring before returning to the Walkers Stadium on 17th January 2004.

He joined Nottingham Forest on loan exactly one month later and the move was made permanent following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League. He has now retired from the game, finishing his career at Accrington Stanley.

ROGERS, John
DOB: 16th September 1950
Other clubs: Burscough, Portland Timbers, Port Vale, Altrincham, Barrow, Witton Albion
Honours: England Semi Pro (1 cap),
FA Trophy Final winner 1978 (Altrincham),
Alliance Premier League championship winner 1980 (Altrincham)

John was originally brought to Springfield Park by Les Rigby in season 1971/72. He became something of a cult hero at the club and indeed was the top goal scorer in two successive seasons. He scored 24 Northern Premier League goals in season 1974/75, in which the Blues were League Champions, and he also scored 25 the following season. He spent four and a half years at the club and he made 167+7 Northern Premier League appearances, scoring 77 Northern Premier League goals before trying his hand in League football at Port Vale in 1976.

He was to return to Springfield Park as a Football League player when he arrived on trial from Altrincham for the start of season 1982/83, Latics’ first in the Old Division Three. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the season, 28th August 1982, against Lincoln City at Bootham Crescent, a game that resulted din the Blues losing 1-2. He made 4+2 League appearances, scoring 2 League goals before returning to Moss Lane at the end of September 1982.

ROGERS, Paul
DOB: 21 March, 1965
Other clubs: Sutton United, Sheffield United, Notts County, Brighton and Hove Albion
Honours: England Semi Pro (6 caps)

Paul arrived at Springfield Park on loan from Notts County on 13th December 1996. He made his Latics League debut on 28th December 1996 against Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park which Latics won 3-2 with Paul scoring one of the goals. He stayed at the club until 25th February 1997 and he made 7+2 League appearances and scored 3 League goals before returning to Meadow Lane. He was signed in a permanent deal on 7th March 1995 for a fee of £50,000 and went on to play a further 85+6 League games, scoring 2 League goals before joining Brighton and Hove Albion on 1st July 1999. ‘Dodger’ will always hold a special place in the hearts of Latic Fanatics everywhere for scoring the last minute goal that won the Auto Windscreens Shield for the club against Millwall at Wembley in 1999.

He was last sighted supporting the Blues in the Wigan Athletic end (corner actually) of Highbury during their game against Arsenal, which was the last competitive game ever played at the venue.

ROGERSON, Lee
DOB:
Other clubs: Clitheroe Town

Lee was signed from Clitheroe in August 1989 and became a useful reserve player. He made his Latics League debut as a substitute on 20th January 1990 against Blackpool at Springfield Park in a game that resulted in a 1-1 draw. He made 1+3 League appearances for the Blues without scoring before being released at the end of the 1991/92 season.

 

ROUTLEDGE, Jonathan
DOB: 23rd November 1989
Other clubs, Ostersunds FK, Hamilton Academical, Luton Town(trial), Stockport County

Jon was a first year professional when he made his Premier League debut in the final game of the 2008/09 season. He arrived onto the field of play in the final minute of the game against Portsmouth at the JJB Stadium. The game was played on 24th May 2009 and he replaced Daniel De Ridder, and that was his sole appearance for the club.

He was loaned to Swedish outfit Ostersunds FK along with reserve team midfielder Joe Holt on 31st March 2010, returning to the DW Stadium in the summer of 2010. After spending the first half of season 2010/11 on loan at Hamilton Academical, the move was made permanent on 31st January 2011 but he was released following the Accies’ relegation in May 2011.  He is currently (January 2012) plying his trade at Stockport County

RUSSELL, Colin
DOB: 21st January 1961
Other clubs: Liverpool, Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth, Stoke City, Doncaster Rovers, Scarborough, Colne Dynamoes, Bangor City, Morecambe, Droylesden, Warrington Town, Burscough

Colin was signed from Scarborough on a non contract basis at the start of season 1988/89. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the season, 27th August 1988 against Bristol Rovers at Twerton Park. He scored a goal during the game but it wasn’t enough to prevent Latics going down 3-2. He made 8+0 League appearances and scored 3 League goals before deciding to sign for Non League side Colne Dynamoes on October 1988. He was last heard of (by the author) playing for Burscough.

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