The old Peterborough United defender who couldn’t wait to leave the club, full debut for legend, an FA Cup hat-trick hero and a managerial giantkiller

Ex-Peterborough United defender Ricardo Santos admits he couldn’t wait to leave the club soon after Grant McCann became manager.
Ricardo Santos celebrates his only goal for Posh at Doncaster in 2016. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Ricardo Santos celebrates his only goal for Posh at Doncaster in 2016. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Ricardo Santos celebrates his only goal for Posh at Doncaster in 2016. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Santos played 75 times for Posh after his arrival from non-league Thurrock in 2014, but fell out of favour when McCann replaced Graham Westley as manager two years later.

Current Posh boss Darren Ferguson had signed the 6ft 7in centre-back.

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Santos now plays for League Two strugglers Bolton and was speaking after their 3-2 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Crewe on Saturday (November 7).

Former Posh boss Jim Gannon.Former Posh boss Jim Gannon.
Former Posh boss Jim Gannon.

“I was playing a lot at Peterborough but then a new gaffer came in and decided to play other people over me,” Santos told the Bolton News. “Maybe he had his favourites, I’m not really sure.

“I was young at the time so I didn’t really understand not playing football. I just wanted to get out.

“I probably could have gone out on loan but instead I just wanted to go.

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“It’s a good thing now because I’m here at Bolton. At the time I went to Barnet, the first season I went there we got relegated and I was wondering if it was the right move for me but things got better and I am here now so I think it has worked out for me.

George Boyd.George Boyd.
George Boyd.

“Football has ups and downs, you get good days and bad days. You just want more of the better ones.”

Meanwhile Posh legend George Boyd made his full debut for new club Salford City in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Hartlepool United on Saturday.

But the 34 year-old was taken off in the 64th minute when the score was goalless. Salford scored both goals in extra time.

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One of the FA Cup first round heroes was former Posh boss Jim Gannon who masterminded National League Stockport County’s 2-1 win at League One Rochdale.

Another ex-Posh manager Steve Evans was nearly on the wrongside of a giantkilling. His Gillingham side were 2-0 down at home to non-league Woking before rallying to win 3-2.

Former Posh skipper Jack Baldwin scored in Bristol Rovers’ 2-1 win at Walsall. Erhun Oztumer made his first Rovers start in this game and was credited with an assist on the second goal.

Tom Nichols hit a hat-trick as Crawley beat a Torquay United side managed by Gary Johnson 6-5 in an amazing tie at Plainmoor yesterday.

Russell Martin’s MK Dons needed penalties to win at non-league Eastleigh following a 0-0 draw. Tyrone Barnett played for Eastleigh.