 Ruddock established the "Sunderland Penny Weekly News" for the Chronicle's proprietors in 1865 and "warmly supported" John Candlish in his political battles of 1867–1868.During this time, Ruddock worked closely with Liberal councillor, and future MP for Sunderland, Samuel Storey.The pair would eventually become two of the original seven founders of the Sunderland Echo in 1873.