Prisoner-of-war camp
His career as a professional started later than most because of the Second World War. He was injured in combat while serving for the Allies and spent two years in a Prisoner-of-war camp before returning home. After hostilities had ceased, he briefly played for Bohemians in his homeland before moving to England to join Notts County, and moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers less than one year later. Ratcliffe made two league appearances in the 1946–47 season before joining Plymouth Argyle, where he would eventually finish his career. A cultured, attacking full back, who was also a capable penalty taker, he made 246 appearances in all competitions for the Pilgrims between 1947 and 1955, scoring ten goals, before retiring from the professional game at the age of 35.