Riley: Valentine (Val)

1924-1928 (Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Hebburn Nr South Shields: 01-01-1904

Debut: Bolton Wanderers (a): 02-02-1927

5’8” 11st 0lb (1928)

Riley joined United in November 1924 from Wood Skinners, Hebburn, as a twenty-year old. Initially he had started his football career with Washington Colliery before being on Middlesbrough’s books, but never playing for their first team, and then returning to his home town to play with Hebburn Argyle and then joined another local side, Wood Skinners. His only senior appearance for Leeds came when Bobby Turnbull and his deputy, Albert Sissons, were unable to play and this saw him thrust into the role of an outside right, for this big game at Burnden Park. Not only did Riley make his debut, but Frank Mears, who partnered him at inside right, was making only his second appearance, against one of the best teams in the land. Unsurprisingly Leeds were beaten 3-0. It was to be his only game for Leeds and he returned to the North-East to join Annfield Plain but in August 1928 he joined Newport County, where he was converted to half-back. He became well established at Somerton Park, scoring four times in eighty-one League appearances. After they had lost their League status, he left Newport in August 1931 for West Stanley, but twelve months later he joined Southampton. He failed to make the first team at the Dell and returned to the North-East with Jarrow. He died in 1966.