Born: 26 December 1903

Born in: Boksburg

Died: July 1984

Other clubs: Transvaal

Signed from: Transvaal

Joined Liverpool: August 1925

Debut: 24 Oct 1925

Final appearance: 06 May 1939

Contract until: 1940

Wartime: Apps / Goals: 11 / 0

League: Apps / Goals: 322 / 0

All Competitions: Apps / Goals: 338 / 0

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.