Connor Ripley was born at the James Cook University hospital in Middlesbrough, just under three miles down the road from the Riverside Stadium, and spent nine years on the books of his boyhood club. His father, Stuart, is regarded a homegrown Boro hero, the former winger an integral part of the team that returned to the top flight in 1988 via successive promotions, having been locked out of Ayresome Park when the club entered liquidation.
“The Ripley name has got …” the 30-year-old says, restarting his sentence. “The Stuart Ripley name has got a bit of clout in Middlesbrough, I’m not sure Connor Ripley has … my dad’s team was special to Middlesbrough and that’s why everyone will always relate to them.”