We were deeply saddened to hear the news that our former player Steve Ingle passed away on Wednesday 16th December at the age of 74.
Steve played in one of the most famous County sides, appearing at right back during the 1972/73 season. In this season, County defeated both Crystal Palace and West Ham in the Football League Cup, creating memories for County fans that are fondly remembered and celebrated to this day.
He was born in Bradford in 1946 and played for the schoolboy side at football, whilst also being selected to played for Yorkshire schools at cricket. He signed for Bradford City in 1964 and played 90 times for The Bantams scoring 15 times, before moving to Southend United as a forward for one season.
His next move in 1967 was to Wrexham, where reverting to a full back position, he was to have his most successful period, making over 150 appearances at the Racecourse ground. It was from there that he moved to Edgeley Park during the close season in 1972.
He was described by former County manager Jimmy Meadows as “one of the best two footed kickers of the ball”. Whilst clearly not lacking in skill, he was known as a fierce tackler, a no nonsense character, which is exemplified by how he recovered from two broken legs early in his career. On the second occasion after only 6 weeks, he was back running around the track with his leg still in plaster.
He remained at Edgeley Park for only one season, but during his twelve months at Edgeley Park he wrote his name into County folklore. He played in County’s famous 1-0 victory at Selhust Park, as well as the never to be forgotten night when Bobby Moore’s West Ham United were defeated 2-1 under the floodlights at Edgeley Park.
In total he played 37 times for The Hatters before leaving to join Southport in July 1973 where he made 2 appearances in the 3rd Division before finishing his League career at Darlington.
In 1974 he joined other players in moving to play in South Africa. He moved to Pretoria and played for Arcadia Shepherds. During this time he met his wife Alfie and settled down to build a life after football. He worked as a lift technician and in 1995 it was whilst working that he sustained a serious injury when he fell down a lift shaft. Remarkably he survived and after 6 months in hospital he was able to return home. Despite the pain he never resorted to a wheelchair, and again his strength and resilience was evident.
Sadly Steve was unable to return from his home in South Africa to attend the 1972/73 team reunion in 2015. He was fondly remembered by his colleagues and his absence was felt by all of the County fans, who remembered a player who was as happy in the opponents penalty area as his own.
In 1973 noted local journalist Len Noad wrote “one of the most pleasing features of County’s play this season has been the sight of right-back Steve Ingle adding his powerful support to the attack”. Ingle himself wrote “just as long as I’m involved in the play, I’m happy. But I must confess I get completely frustrated if there is little to do”.
He passed away in South Africa after struggling to breathe over the weekend, when he was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with coronavirus.
We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Alfie and his three sons Mark, Steven and Gareth. It would be a fitting tribute to Steve if County were to be able to repeat his feat of defeating West Ham United in the FA Cup next month.
