Freemantle-born George Ridges was a stalwart of his local football club and a professional cricketer in Wiltshire. In 1892-93, he played at inside-right, on loan to the Saints, in a 4-0 FA Cup defeat by Maidenhead, but then captained Freemantle to a 2-1 win v St Mary’s in the Hants Senior Cup semi-final. He later worked for a while on the TS Mercury in Hamble, the naval training ship that CB Fry would soon make famous, and finished his football career there. After which, he became an estate-carpenter in Highcliffe, while continuing as a cricketing pro.