Louis Riddle

Louis Riddle (born September 1982), is an English professional, non-league footballer who plays for Braintree Town. He played in the West Ham United team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1999.

Club career

West Ham United

Riddle joined West Ham United as a nine year old and graduated through the youth set-up to feature in their 1999 FA Youth Cup winning squad along with Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, who went on to become established players in the Premier League and for England. Riddle was unable to break through into the first team at West Ham and joined Nationwide Conference club, Stevenage Borough, on loan in February 2002, making his debut in a 4-1 victory against Forest Green on 16 February. He made five appearances for Borough before returning to West Ham at the end of the season.

Stevenage Borough

He was released by West Ham and signed a permanent two-year contract with Stevenage in October 2002, going on to make a further 12 appearances for the club in the 2002/03 season. Following the arrival of new manager, Graham Westley at Stevenage in January 2003, Riddle joined Braintree Town on loan in February 2003 until the end of the season.

Cambridge City

He became a free agent in the summer of 2003 and joined Cambridge City in the Dr Martens League Premier Division on a one-year contract, making 33 appearances and scoring one goal in the 2003/04 season.

Braintree Town

Riddle rejoined Isthmian League Premier Division club, Braintree Town in June 2004. He made 33 appearances in the 2004/05 season, scoring five goals. In the 2005/06 season, Riddle made 34 appearances and scored three goals, helping Braintree to the First Round of the FA Cup, where they were beaten 4-1 by Shrewsbury Town, and to the Ryman League Premier Division title. In 2006/07, Riddle made over 40 appearances as Braintree pushed for promotion again, reaching the Conference South Promotion Final, only to lose by one goal to Salisbury City.