Cardiff City goalkeeper joins new club after transfer exit
Barry, Wales 22/11/19. Barry Town United goalkeeper George Ratcliffe in action against Penybont. Barry Town United v Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier on the 22nd November 2019. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Pontypridd United have completed the signing of former Cardiff City and Wales Under-21 goalkeeper George Ratcliffe.
Cardiff were Ratcliffe’s last team but he has left the club after several years of service to the club. During his time with Cardiff, he trained with the first team and was amongst the substitutes for several fixtures.
He was named as the Bluebirds’ best player in their academy for the 2018/19 campaign. n the same year, The Under-18s were crowned the Professional Development 2 South Champions for the first time.
He returns to the Cymru Premier after a loan spell with Barry Town United in the 2019/20 season. Ratcliffe made 12 appearances in the Welsh top flight, keeping five clean sheets, and only conceding 12 goals.
At an international level, Ratcliffe appeared 10 times for the Under-21s, making his debut in June 2019 when Rob Page was in charge. Ratcliffe kept out both the attacks of Belgium and Gibraltar and played alongside the likes of senior internationals Brennan Johnson, Ben Cabango, Mark Harris, and Rhys Norrington-Davies.
The Dragons already have veteran goalkeeper Ashley Morris and 20-year-old Harry Irving in their ranks. Morris joined in the summer after leaving Welsh Cup finalists Penybont, whilst Irving made the move from Trethomas Bluebirds.
Earlier in the season, Irving was sent out on loan to his former club and played 10 games for them. He kept seven clean sheets before returning in January. Morgan Davies had been the backup goalkeeper but joined Cymru South club Cambrian & Clydach Vale in January.
During the January transfer window, Pontypridd made four signings, with three loans and one permanent deal. Harrison Bright and Jack Jaradogan joined from Newport County on loan after both Joe Woodiwiss and Lewys Twamley returned to their parent club. Pontypridd also took left-back Tom Davies off of Cardiff on loan, with Davies having one Carabao Cup appearance to his name.
Defender Ben Margetson, son of England goalkeeping coach Martyn, also joined from National League North outfit Kidderminster Harriers.
