Gareth Risbridger

Gareth Risbridger (born 16 April 1982) is an English football manager and former semi-professional player, who was most recently the assistant manager to Danny Gordon at Aylesbury after the pair were appointed in May 2016. They departed the club in January 2017.

He started his career as a youth player at Marlow, before joining Yeovil Town in 1998. Risbridger then signed for Third Division club Southend United following his former Yeovil manager David Webb, however he only made one appearance and was sent on loan to Conference National club Dover Athletic. He was released from Southend in January 2002, and dropped back into non-League football spending a month at Salisbury City before joining Aylesbury United. In December 2003, he joined former Aylesbury manager, Steve Cordery at Staines Town. After a number of injuries that kept him sidelined for two and a half years, Risbridger joined Bracknell Town on a short loan spell, regaining his fitness. He went on to join Boreham Wood in November 2010. After a period out of the game due to injury, he joined Slough Town in March 2014.

Playing career

Risbridger started his career as a youth player at Marlow, playing the 1997–98 season in their under-18 team. In summer 1998, he joined Conference National side Yeovil Town, where he made six appearances.

He signed for Third Division team Southend United in May 2001, after former Yeovil Town manager David Webb took charge at Southend. Risbridger was the first of three players who Webb signed from his former club, Barrington Belgrave and Ben Smith joined later. Risbridger commented on playing under Webb saying, "I worked with him at Yeovil and he gave me my chance there last year. Now I'm looking forward to playing under him again and establishing myself with Southend." During the 2001–02 season, he made one appearance for Southend. On 11 August, Risbridger made his debut for Southend in their 1–0 home win over Darlington, replacing Mark Rawle as a substitute in the 89th minute, who had previously replaced Dean Holness. He joined Dover Athletic on loan in October, where he made three appearances in the Conference National. Risbridger was not allowed to play in Dover Athletic's FA Cup fourth qualifying round match against Hereford United, as Southend did not want him to become cup-tied. He was released from Southend in January 2002, by new manager Rob Newman along with Shane Wardley and Ed Chibogu.

Following his release from Southend United, Risbridger dropped back into non-League football and signed for Southern Football League Premier Division club, Salisbury City in February. A month later, he joined Aylesbury United, for who he went on to make 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal. In December 2003, Risbridger signed for Isthmian League Division One South side Staines Town, joining former Aylesbury manager Steve Cordery. He made his debut against Horsham in their 0–0 on 6 December. Between January 2004 and July 2006, Risbridger suffered a series of injuries, that put him out of the game for two and a half years. He had a spell with Bracknell Town on loan in October 2006, to help regain his fitness. At the end of the 2006–07 season he was awarded the "Clubman of the Year" award.

Risbridger played in Staines 2007–08 FA Cup first round giant-killing match, when they defeated Stockport County over two legs, eventually winning in a penalty shootout. Staines were defeated in the following round 5–0 at home to Peterborough United, on 1 December, in which Risbridger played.

He went on to join Conference South club Boreham Wood in November 2010.

Coaching and refereeing career

Risbridger holds a UEFA 'B' Pro Licence coaching badge and is also a qualified referee.

In December 2014, Risbridger was appointed joint-manager, alongside Danny Gordon, at Burnham as the replacements for Gary Meakin. However the pair departed the club in May 2015 after proving unsuccessful in their bid to prevent Burnham's relegation from the Premier Division.

Risbridger returned to football as the assistant manager to Danny Gordon at Aylesbury in May 2016. The pair resigned from their positions in January 2017.

Personal life

Born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Risbridger lives in Marlow. He works as a greenkeeper at Wycombe Heights Golf Club.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Risbridger, Gareth
1982 births
Living people
Footballers from High Wycombe
English men's footballers
English football referees
English Football League players
National League (English football) players
Southern Football League players
Marlow F.C. players
Yeovil Town F.C. players
Southend United F.C. players
Dover Athletic F.C. players
Salisbury City F.C. players
Aylesbury United F.C. players
Staines Town F.C. players
Bracknell Town F.C. players
Boreham Wood F.C. players
Slough Town F.C. players
English football managers
Burnham F.C. managers
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos F.C. managers
Men's association football midfielders
21st-century English sportsmen