- Birthdate: 26 December 1903
- Birthplace: Boksburg, South Africa
- Date of death: July 1984
- Other clubs: Transvaal
- Signed from: Transvaal
- Signed for LFC: August 1925
- International debut: 24.09.1924 vs Ireland
- International caps: 2/0 - 02.11.1924
- Liverpool debut: 24.10.1925
- Last appearance: 06.05.1939
- Contract expiry: 1940
- Win ratio: 36.98% W:125 D:87 L:126
- Wartime games/goals: 11 / 0
- League games / goals: 322 / 0
- Total games / goals: 338 / 0
- League clean sheets: 63
- Total clean sheets: 69
Player Profile
The visit of a South African football team that beat Liverpool 5-2 in a friendly on 1 October 1924 was a remarkable one. Not only did the guests exhibit “joyous football, a goal-getting game that showed us that South-African football has improved more quickly than our own” but two players in particular caught the attention of the Liverpool Board and the Echo’s correspondent, Bee; Gordon Hodgson and “the goalkeeper, a tall, keen fellow who has reach, anticipation and a safe pair of hands, is only twenty, but he looks more like thirty-five." Riley and Hodgson were signed by Liverpool in the 1925/26 season. The 21-year-old Riley was bought mainly as cover for Elisha Scott, ten years his senior. The Irishman's form and reputation kept the South African mostly out of the first-team picture until he finally started an extended run in the side in October 1927. But it wasn't until near the second part of the following season that he could really feel safe about being first choice. Scott was a hard act to follow but Riley proved a more then capable replacement. Scott, who was now 38 years of age reclaimed his spot in the 1931/32 season and held on to it until February 1933 when Riley returned.
The 1930s were very mediocre as far as the club's results were concerned and twice, in 1936 and 1937, they flirted dangerously with relegation. Although Alf Hobson took over in goal for much of the 1936/37 season, Riley's courage and agility probably turned a number of games which could have left the club's first division status even more at risk. The last of Riley's 338 appearances for Liverpool came away to Manchester United on the final day of the 1938/39 season. It was a shame such loyalty was never rewarded by being part of a successful Liverpool team. The highest final League placing during any of the years Riley was at Anfield was fifth in 1929.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
19 |
1710 |
Arsenal |
18 |
1620 |
Birmingham City |
18 |
1620 |
Huddersfield Town |
17 |
1530 |
Derby |
16 |
1470 |
Bolton Wanderers |
16 |
1440 |
Middlesbrough |
15 |
1350 |
Sunderland |
15 |
1350 |
Leeds United |
14 |
1260 |
Manchester City |
14 |
1260 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
13 |
1170 |
Everton |
13 |
1170 |
Aston Villa |
12 |
1080 |
Blackburn Rovers |
11 |
990 |
Leicester City |
11 |
990 |
Grimsby Town |
11 |
990 |
Portsmouth |
10 |
900 |
Sheffield United |
9 |
810 |
WBA |
9 |
810 |
Chelsea |
8 |
720 |
Wolves |
8 |
720 |
Stoke City |
8 |
720 |
Manchester United |
7 |
630 |
Preston North End |
7 |
630 |
Newcastle United |
6 |
540 |
Blackpool |
6 |
540 |
Brentford |
5 |
450 |
Burnley |
5 |
450 |
Tottenham |
5 |
450 |
Cardiff City |
4 |
360 |
West Ham United |
2 |
210 |
Crystal Palace |
1 |
90 |
Yeovil Town |
1 |
90 |
Darlington |
1 |
90 |
Bristol City |
1 |
90 |
Swansea City |
1 |
90 |
Bury |
1 |
90 |
Charlton Athletic |
Total |
Venue |
173 |
Away |
165 |
Home |
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season |
Appearances |
Goals |
1939-1940 |
11 |
0 |
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
24.10.1925 |
Tottenham |
White Hart Lane |
League |
50 |
13.02.1929 |
Manchester United |
Anfield |
League |
100 |
01.09.1930 |
West Ham United |
Upton Park |
League |
150 |
04.09.1933 |
Stoke City |
Victoria Ground |
League |
200 |
29.12.1934 |
Blackburn Rovers |
Ewood Park |
League |
250 |
07.03.1936 |
Portsmouth |
Anfield |
League |
300 |
18.04.1938 |
Middlesbrough |
Anfield |
League |
Related Articles
From the Daily Mail on 25 September 1933.
A great feature by Gavin Foster on a South African star that shone bright at Liverpool.
Scrapbook
Bok in the day - Liverpool match programme 1994
Liverpool Echo sketch - 30 September 1933
Liverpool Echo sketch - 7 September 1935
Liverpool's colonial keeper - 1934 (sketch)
Liverpool's footballers in training by the sea - 20 January 1926
Riley the warrior - 25 January 1936