Steve Claridge
Last updated : 06 February 2010 By Brian Cartlidge
Two years later he joined Bournemouth and then began his journey around the country playing in turn for Weymouth, Crystal Palace, Aldershot, Cambridge Utd, Luton Town, Cambridge Utd (again), Blues, Leicester City, Portsmouth (on loan), Wolves (on loan), Portsmouth (permanently) and Millwall.
Former Blues boss Barry Fry took Claridge from Cambridge for £350,000 in January 1994 and he became an instant favourite with the Blues faithful.
Claridge's often scruffy appearance on the field, with socks rolled down around his ankles, certainly belied the skill in his feet. He was exceptionally good at holding the ball-up and despite having 13 different strike partners between 1994 & 1995, he scored 42 goals in 120 appearances for Blues, helping them win the second division title and the Leyland DAF Trophy in 1995.
In March 1996 after a contract dispute, Claridge was sold to Midlands neighbours Leicester City for £1.2 million.
At Leicester he scored the play-off final winner against Crystal Palace that took the Foxes to the Premiership in 1996 and a year later scored an extra-time winner in the League Cup Final against Middlesbrough.
After a couple of loan spells at Portsmouth and Wolves, Claridge made a permanent move to Fratton Park in August 1998 for £200,000.
During the course of the 1999-2000 season he reached a personal milestone of 550 appearances at club level, scoring over 150 goals.
After a brief spell as player boss at Pompey he moved on to Millwall in April 2001 and clocked up 82 appearances for the South London side, scoring 33 goals.
