Ricky Heppolette

{{Short description|English footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Ricky Heppolette

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname = Richard Alfred William Heppolette

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|04|8|df=y}}

|birth_place = Bhusawal, India

|height =

|position = Midfielder

|youthyears1 = ?–1967

|youthclubs1 = Preston North End

|years1 = 1967–1973

|clubs1 = Preston North End

|caps1 = 154

|goals1 = 13

|years2 = 1973–1976

|clubs2 = Leyton Orient

|caps2 = 113

|goals2 = 10

|years3 = 1976–1977

|clubs3 = Crystal Palace

|caps3 = 15

|goals3 = 0

|years4 = 1976–1979

|clubs4 = Chesterfield

|caps4 = 47

|goals4 = 3

|years5 = 1979–1980

|clubs5 = Peterborough United

|caps5 = 5

|goals5 = 0

|years6 = 1980–?

|clubs6 = Eastern AA

|caps6 = ?

|goals6 = ?

}}

Richard Alfred William Heppolette{{cite book|last = Hugman|first = Barry J.|title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005|publisher = Queen Anne Press|year = 2005|page = 283|isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }} (born 8 April 1949) is an English former professional footballer. Born in Bhusawal, he appeared with multiple clubs including Preston North End, Leyton Orient, Crystal Palace, Chesterfield, Peterborough United and Hong Kong club Eastern AA.{{cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player3/rickyheppolette.html |title=Ricky Heppolette |work=UK A–Z Transfers |publisher=Neil Brown |access-date=3 April 2009}} Heppolette had moved to England with his family when he was an infant. He was among the first Asian players of Indian descent to play in the Football League.{{cite web |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/ricky-heppolette-would-love-to-see-more-asian-players-follow-in-his-footsteps-40722248.html |title=Ricky Heppolette would love to see more Asian players follow in his footsteps |website=Belfast Telegraph |last=Sessions |first=George |date=5 August 2021 }}