Full name Frederick Ryecraft Years Team Place of birth Hayes, England Name Fred Ryecraft | Playing position Role Football player 1959–1962 Brentford Position Goalkeeper | |
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Date of birth (1939-08-29) 29 August 1939 (age 76) | ||
Frederick "Fred" Ryecraft (born 29 August 1939) is an English retired professional football goalkeeper who appeared in the Football League for Brentford. He was a member of the club's 1962–63 Division Four title-winning team.
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Brentford
A goalkeeper, Ryecraft joined Division Three side Brentford in 1959 after a short spell at Athenian League side Southall. First team goalkeeper Gerry Cakebread's durability meant that a spell doing national service saw Ryecraft confined to the club's reserve team, until the first team's relegation to Division Four in 1962. Ryecraft finally made his first team debut in a 2–1 defeat to Gillingham on 21 August 1962. He went on to make 18 appearances during the 1962–63 season as the Bees returned to Division Three at the first time of asking, sealing the Division Four title at the end of the campaign. Ryecraft made 20 appearances during the 1963–64 season, but mainly appeared for the reserves and was released in the summer of 1964. Ryecraft made a total of 38 first team appearances for the Bees and along with Micky Ball and Johnny Hales, is one of three players to make over 150 appearances for the Brentford reserve team.
Gravesend & Northfleet
After his release from Brentford, Ryecraft dropped back into non-league football and appeared for Southern League Division One side Gravesend & Northfleet.
Representative career
While undertaking his national service, Ryecraft appeared for the British Army representative team. He played on a tour of South East Asia in 1962 and was a member of the victorious Kentish Cup-winning side the same year.
Personal life
While on national service in the British Army, Ryecraft was a member of the Royal Army Service Corps.
Honours
British Army
Brentford