Full name Brian George Etheridge Role Footballer Name Brian Etheridge | ||
Date of birth (1944-03-04)4 March 1944 Date of death 26 March 2011(2011-03-26) (aged 67) Playing position Died March 26, 2011, Moulton, United Kingdom | ||
Place of birth Northampton, England | ||
Brian George Etheridge (4 March 1944 – 26 March 2011) was an English professional footballer and manager. He played in the Football League for Northampton Town and Brentford and later played in Belgium. He managed non-league clubs Corby Town, Wellingborough Town and Rushden Town.
Contents
- Northampton Town
- Brentford
- Daring Club de Bruxelles
- Cercle Brugge
- Non league football
- Management career
- International career
- Personal life
- Honours
- References
Northampton Town
Etheridge began his career at hometown Division Four club Northampton Town. By the time he made his debut for the club during the 1962–63 season, the Cobblers had been promoted to Division Three. Northampton's ascension to Division Two at the end of that season further harmed Etheridge's first team chances, his best appearance tally being 9 league games during the 1964–65 season. He departed the club in February 1966, having made just 17 league appearances and scored one goal in four-and-a-half seasons.
Brentford
Etheridge joined Division Three side Brentford in February 1966 for a £8,000 fee. He quickly won a place in the side and on his second appearance, had a dream home debut at Griffin Park, as 10-man Brentford came from a goal down to beat Oxford United 5–1 on 26 February. A poor 1965–66 season culminated in relegation to Division Four, with Etheridge having made 16 appearances. Etheridge found himself in the reserve team during the 1966–67 season, making just eight first team appearances. He experienced some joy with the reserves, winning the London Challenge Cup with the side. Etheridge departed the Bees in the summer of 1967, having made 24 appearances and scored two goals during 18 months at Griffin Park.
Daring Club de Bruxelles
In the summer of 1967, Etheridge moved to Belgium to sign for First Division side Daring Club de Bruxelles, managed by Englishman Billy Elliott. He played in roughly half the side's games, making 14 appearances and scoring one goal during the 1967–68 season. He broke into the side in the following season, making 28 appearances, scoring three goals and making appearances in Daring's 1968–69 Fairs Cup campaign. Despite European football, a disastrous season saw the club relegated to the Second Division. Etheridge departed the club at the end of the campaign, having made 40 league appearances and scored four goals.
Cercle Brugge
Etheridge transferred to Second Division side Cercle Brugge in the summer of 1969. In a one-season stay, he made 26 appearances and scored no goals.
Non-league football
Etheridge returned to England in 1970, signing for Southern League Premier Division side Bedford Town. He failed to last with the club and dropped down to the Southern League Division One to sign for Corby Town in November 1970. He closed out his playing career with Southern League side Wellingborough Town and United Counties League outfit Rushden Town.
Management career
While at Corby Town, Wellingborough Town and Rushden Town, Etheridge combined his playing duties with that of managing each club.
International career
While with Northampton Town, Etheridge won 18 caps for England Youth. He was joined in the team by fellow Cobblers graduates Tommy Robson, Jim Hall and Graham Carr.
Personal life
After leaving professional football, Etheridge became a businessman and was a partner in a packaging firm, based in Wales. He was married to Pauline and had two children. Etheridge hanged himself at his home in March 2011, having suffered from depression and made several attempts on his life previously. Etheridge's grandson, Tom Collins, is a rugby union winger and full back for Northampton Saints and has been capped at England U20 level.
Honours
Brentford