Career
He also played in England"s top flight for Southampton as well as playing in the Football League for Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday. He earned two national caps for England. Ripley retired from professional football in 2002 and is now working as a solicitor.
Middlesbrough
They also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup losing in a replay to Portsmouth.
Blackburn Rovers
He was briefly their record signing until later in July they signed Alan Shearer for £3.3million. On his debut for Blackburn, he scored the club"s first Premier League goal, opening their scoring a 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Southampton
In 1998, aged almost 31, he moved to Southampton, and retiring four years later. He scored one goal for Southampton against Derby County on 4 October 1999.
He also served loan spells at Barnsley (twice) – scoring in his debut, a 1–2 home loss to former side Blackburn – and Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored once against Crystal Palace.
He was capped twice by England as a full international. Against San Marino on 17 November 1993 and against Moldova on 10 September 1997. After finishing his playing career, Ripley set up the Castleford Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, providing physiotherapy to nearby rugby league teams, as well as local football teams.
He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2007, with a first class combined honours degree in Law and French.
In 2010 Ripley became a qualified solicitor. Middlesbrough
Full Members Cup finalists: 1989-1990
Blackburn Rovers
Premier League champions: 1994-1995.
