Liam Ridgewell
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1984)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Liam Ridgewell
| image = Portl-RSL (7).jpg
| caption = Ridgewell lining up for the Portland Timbers in 2015
| fullname = Liam Matthew Ridgewell{{cite book |editor1-last=Hugman |editor1-first=Barry |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |year=2005 |page=344 |isbn=978-1-85291-662-6}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1984|7|21}}
| birth_place = Bexleyheath, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Portland Timbers (assistant coach)
| youthyears1 = 1999–2001
| youthclubs1 = West Ham United
| youthyears2 = 2001–2002
| youthclubs2 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2002–2007
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 79
| goals1 = 7
| years2 = 2002
| clubs2 = → AFC Bournemouth (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007–2012
| clubs3 = Birmingham City
| caps3 = 152
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2012–2014
| clubs4 = West Bromwich Albion
| caps4 = 76
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2014–2019
| clubs5 = Portland Timbers
| caps5 = 97
| goals5 = 6
| years6 = 2015
| clubs6 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016
| clubs7 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
| caps7 = 5
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2019
| clubs8 = Hull City
| caps8 = 7
| goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2019–2020
|clubs9 = Southend United
|caps9 = 1
|goals9 = 0
| totalcaps = 431 | totalgoals = 24
| nationalyears1 = 2002
| nationalteam1 = England U19
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2004–2005
| nationalteam2 = England U21
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Liam Matthew Ridgewell (born 21 July 1984) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a defender. He was primarily a centre back but could also play at left back. He is currently an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers.
Ridgewell, who earned eight caps for England at under-21 level, began his senior career with Aston Villa. He spent time on loan at AFC Bournemouth in 2002, before moving to Villa's local rivals Birmingham City in 2007, where he was part of the 2011 Football League Cup Final-winning team. He played for two and a half seasons with West Bromwich Albion, who released him at the end of 2013–14. He then joined the Portland Timbers, whom he captained to victory in MLS Cup 2015. During the MLS off-season, he spent time on loan in England with Wigan Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion. He ended his career in 2020 after short spells at Hull City and Southend United.
Club career
=Early career=
Ridgewell was born in Bexleyheath, in the London Borough of Bexley,{{Hugman|16687|access-date=13 November 2016}} and attended Bexleyheath School.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/14125324.Bexleyheath_mum_to_cheer_on_son_Liam_Ridgewell_in_America_s_biggest_football_match_of_the_year/ |title=Bexleyheath mum to cheer on son Liam Ridgewell in America's biggest football match – the MLS cup final |last=Bacon |first=Jake |newspaper=News Shopper |location=Orpington |date=4 December 2015 |access-date=13 November 2016}} He began his career with West Ham United, but moved to Aston Villa in February 2001.{{cite web |title=Ridgewell relishes Hammers return |url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100609/ridgewell-relishes-hammers-return_2236884_2055691 |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=9 June 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613024035/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100609/ridgewell-relishes-hammers-return_2236884_2055691 |archive-date=13 June 2010}} He was part of the team that won the 2002 FA Youth Cup final against Everton.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LDPC1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F39452E5AD55CCF&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Final misery for boy Blues |first=Chris |last=Wright |work=Daily Post |location=Liverpool |date=15 May 2002 |via=NewsBank}}
=Aston Villa=
The day after scoring for England Under-19s in a 2–2 draw against Yugoslavia in October 2002, he was loaned to AFC Bournemouth of the Third Division, for whom he made his debut in the Football League in a 2–1 win over Hartlepool United on 13 October and played five games in his month's loan spell.{{cite news |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/5603651.Villa_ace_Liam_set_for_Cherries_debut/ |title=Villa ace Liam set for Cherries debut |work=Bournemouth Echo |date=12 October 2002 |access-date=1 December 2017}}
His debut for Aston Villa's first team came on 4 January 2003, in a 4–1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third round, when he came on as a substitute to replace Rob Edwards after 69 minutes.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BPOC1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F86B6F7CD6EBDC4&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Barry bright spot as Yorke makes it dark day for Villa |first=Hyder |last=Jawad |work=Birmingham Post |format=reprint hosted at NewsBank |date=6 January 2003 |via=NewsBank}} His first Premier League appearance came on 28 December 2003, as a 62nd-minute replacement for Mark Delaney in a 3–0 win over Fulham at Villa Park; he made 11 appearances over the season.
On 15 January 2005, Ridgewell scored his first professional goal, heading in Nolberto Solano's cross in the ninth minute to open a 3–0 win over Norwich City.{{cite news|title=Aston Villa 3–0 Norwich|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4150625.stm|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2005}} On 10 April, in a 1–1 draw with rivals West Bromwich Albion, he and opponent Jonathan Greening were sent off for headbutting each other.{{cite news|title=Aston Villa 1–1 West Brom|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4403621.stm|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 April 2005}}
In the following Premier League campaign, Ridgewell recorded five goals in 32 games, including two in a 3–3 draw at Fulham on 28 December 2005.{{cite news|title=Fulham 3–3 Aston Villa|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4537622.stm|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2005}} He scored his only goal of the 2006–07 season against his former club West Ham United on 10 September 2006.
=Birmingham City=
Ridgewell completed a move to Birmingham City for a fee of £2 million on 3 August 2007, becoming the first player to transfer between the bitter rivals since Des Bremner in 1984.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/ridgewell-arrival-put-shade-ghaly-3968222 |title=Ridgewell arrival put in shade as Ghaly deal collapses |work=Birmingham Post |last=Jawad |first=Hyder |date=3 August 2007 |access-date=5 September 2014}}
File:Liam Ridgewell cropped.jpg
In the absence through injury of regular captain Damien Johnson, Ridgewell was given the captain's armband. He described his appointment as "a real honour".{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ridgewell-my-pride-over-captaincy-43824 |title=Ridgewell: My pride over captaincy |last=Tattum |first=Colin |work=Birmingham Mail |date=13 August 2007 |access-date=28 December 2012}} Though concerns were expressed over how some fans might react to a player signing from Aston Villa, Ridgewell's performances won over the doubters.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/ridgewell-big-hit-blues-fans-3968018 |title=Ridgewell a big hit with Blues fans |work=Birmingham Post |date=26 September 2007 |access-date=5 September 2014}} He scored his first goal for the club in their 3–2 win against Wigan Athletic at St Andrew's in October, but then scored an own goal in the Birmingham derby two weeks later, also at St Andrew's.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7076646.stm |title=Birmingham 1–2 Aston Villa |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 November 2007 |access-date=12 November 2007}}
In April 2009, Ridgewell suffered a broken leg after a challenge by Plymouth Argyle midfielder Jamie Mackie.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7997165.stm |title=Ridgewell undergoes leg operation |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 April 2009 |access-date=1 February 2010}} He made an unexpectedly quick return to the side five months later, playing in the less familiar position of left back.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/sunderland-2-birmingham-city-0-3940234 |title=Sunderland 2 Birmingham City 0 – match report |first=Andy |last=Walker |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=5 September 2014}} He continued in that role because of the form of preferred centre-backs Roger Johnson and Scott Dann,{{cite news
|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BEM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12C7FA878E861FD8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Future's looking healthy for Liam Ridgewell |first=Andy |last=Walker |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |format=reprint hosted at NewsBank |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=28 December 2012}} and played there as Birmingham went on a club-record 12-match unbeaten run in the top division{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_5850655,00.html |title=McLeish proud of Blues |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 January 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012}} and set a Premier League record by fielding the same starting eleven for nine consecutive games.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12038_5854263,00.html |title=The cold rush |publisher=Sky Sports |first=Martin |last=Tyler |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=1 February 2010}} He scored a 91st-minute equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur on 30 January 2010 which ensured that Birmingham remained unbeaten at home since the previous September.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8485699.stm |title=Birmingham 1–1 Tottenham |first=Pranav |last=Soneji |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2010 |access-date=1 February 2010}}
Ridgewell continued his goalscoring form with a stoppage-time winner against Derby County to send Birmingham through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8506578.stm |title=Derby 1–2 Birmingham |first=Harry |last=Ornstein |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010}} had a goal disallowed in the quarter-final match against Portsmouth when the ball had "clearly crossed the line",{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/portsmouth/7392549/Games-governors-wrong-to-dismiss-the-merits-of-goal-line-technology-in-football.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311194112/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/portsmouth/7392549/Games-governors-wrong-to-dismiss-the-merits-of-goal-line-technology-in-football.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2010 |title=Game's governors wrong to dismiss the merits of goal-line technology in football |first=Brian |last=Barwick |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 March 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010}} and scored an equalising goal against Liverpool in the league.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8597490.stm |title=Birmingham 1–1 Liverpool |first=Mark |last=Ashenden |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 April 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010}}
In June 2010, Ridgewell signed a new contract with Birmingham, to expire in June 2013.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8733197.stm |title=Liam Ridgewell signs new Birmingham City contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=22 June 2010}} He played the full 90 minutes as Birmingham defeated favourites Arsenal 2–1 in the 2011 Football League Cup Final,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Philip |last=McNulty |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=19 August 2011}} thus earning qualification for the Europa League. In the absence of several midfielders through injury, Ridgewell played in the play-off round first leg against Portuguese club Nacional, Birmingham's first participation in major European competition for nearly 50 years, in an unfamiliar holding midfield position.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nacional-0-birmingham-city-0-159852 |title=Nacional 0, Birmingham City 0 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |first=Colin |last=Tattum |date=19 August 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012}} As the August 2011 transfer deadline approached, Ridgewell submitted a transfer request which was rejected by the club, and despite late interest from Premier League clubs including Newcastle United, he remained with Birmingham.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_7141082,00.html |title=Magpies bid for Ridgewell |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 August 2011 |access-date=1 September 2011}}
=West Bromwich Albion=
Ridgewell signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on 31 January 2012. The transfer fee was undisclosed.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7468302/ |title=Baggies bring in Ridgewell |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012}} On 12 February, he made his debut in a 5–1 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16893189 |title=Wolves 1–5 West Brom |first=Owen |last=Phillips |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012}} He made his home debut a week later as West Brom beat Sunderland 4–0 at The Hawthorns.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093509 |title=West Brom 4–0 Sunderland |first=Tom |last=Rostance |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012}} He scored his first goal for West Brom on 7 April in a 3–0 home win against Blackburn Rovers.
On 16 May 2014, West Bromwich Albion announced that they would not take up the option of extending Ridgewell's contract and he was released from the club.{{Cite web |title=Baggies confirm five departures |url=http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/baggies-confirm-five-departures-1556725.aspx |publisher=West Bromwich Albion F.C. |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=16 May 2014}}
=Portland Timbers=
File:Timbers players after playoff game vs Dallas 2015.jpg in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.]]
Ridgewell was signed as a Designated Player for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer on 25 June 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-sign-designated-player-liam-ridgewell |title=Portland Timbers sign Designated Player Liam Ridgewell |website=Portland Timbers |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014}} He made his MLS debut on 18 July, the 62nd consecutive sellout at Providence Park, and a comeback 2–1 victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids.{{cite web |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/quotes-notes-portland-timbers-2-colorado-rapids-1-july-18-2014 |title=Quotes & Notes | Portland Timbers 2, Colorado Rapids 1 |website=Portland Timbers |date=18 July 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014}} Ridgewell was named in the MLS All-Star team for the 2014 MLS All-Star Game against Bayern Munich as a replacement for the injured Kyle Beckerman.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2014/news/article/2014/08/05/all-star-portland-timbers-dp-defender-liam-ridgewell-replaces-injured-kyle-b |title=All-Star: Portland Timbers DP defender Liam Ridgewell in for injured Kyle Beckerman on MLS roster |website=MLSsoccer.com |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014}} He scored his first Timbers goal, the equaliser against the New England Revolution on 16 August 2014, after a {{convert|45|yd|m|adj=on}} solo run.{{cite web |url=http://www.timbers.com/news/2014/08/log-roll-portland-timbers-liam-ridgewell-explains-his-first-mls-goal-and-celebration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819175852/http://www.timbers.com/news/2014/08/log-roll-portland-timbers-liam-ridgewell-explains-his-first-mls-goal-and-celebration |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 August 2014 |title=The Log Roll: Portland Timbers' Liam Ridgewell explains his first MLS goal and celebration |first=Brian |last=Costello |website=Portland Timbers |date=18 August 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014}}
On 8 January 2015, Ridgewell signed for Wigan Athletic on a six-week loan deal.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30736110 | title=Liam Ridgewell: Wigan Athletic sign Portland Timbers defender | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=9 January 2015}} He made six appearances for the Latics, who ended the season with relegation from the Championship.
Ridgewell was sent off on 25 June 2015 in a 5–0 loss at LA Galaxy, for a kick at Alan Gordon.{{cite news|last1=French|first1=Scott|title=LA Galaxy 5, Portland Timbers 0|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/06/25/la-galaxy-5-portland-timbers-0-mls-match-recap|access-date=30 November 2015|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=25 June 2015}} The Timbers qualified for the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, in which Ridgewell opened the scoring in a 3–1 first leg win over Western Conference regular season champions FC Dallas on 22 November, as the team eventually reached MLS Cup 2015.{{cite news |url=http://old.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=210522988 |title=Asprilla Thunderbolt Gives Timbers Edge on Dallas |publisher=USL |date=22 November 2015 |access-date=24 August 2020}} In the decisive match on 6 December away to the Columbus Crew at Mapfre Stadium, he captained the Timbers to a 2–1 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35009121 |title=Columbus Crew C 1–2 Portland Timbers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=24 August 2020}}
In December 2015, Ridgewell agreed a short-term loan with Championship team Brighton & Hove Albion, to begin when the transfer window opened on 2 January 2016 and end in time for the second half of the Timbers' preseason.{{cite web |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-defender-liam-ridgewell-join-brighton-hove-albion-offseason-loa |title=Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell to join Brighton & Hove Albion on offseason loan |website=Portland Timbers |date=30 December 2015 |access-date=14 February 2016}} He finished his spell with four wins from five league appearances.{{cite web |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/liam-ridgewell-signs-off-fantastic-spell-2953475.aspx |title=Ridgewell signs off fantastic loan spell |first=Paul |last=Camillin |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |date=13 February 2016 |access-date=14 February 2016}}
Ridgewell was sent off on 30 September 2018 at the end of a goalless draw at home to FC Dallas for a foul on Roland Lamah.{{cite news |last1=Asher |first1=Abe |title=Timbers Frustrated, Ridgewell Sent Off in Scoreless Draw With Dallas |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/09/30/23302081/timbers-frustrated-ridgewell-sent-off-in-scoreless-draw-with-dallas |access-date=10 February 2019 |work=Portland Mercury |date=30 September 2018}} The Timbers made the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs; in the Western Conference semi-finals they defeated rivals Seattle Sounders FC on penalties.{{cite news |last1=Tolmich |first1=Ryan |title=Timbers edge Sounders in penalty kick thriller to advance in MLS playoffs |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/timbers-edge-sounders-in-penalty-kick-thriller-to-advance-in-mls-/ctvlfhkzidsa1ul7adirt5e0y |access-date=10 February 2019 |publisher=Goal.com |date=9 November 2018}} The Timbers lost the MLS Cup 2018 2–0 at Atlanta United FC in Ridgewell's final game.
On 10 January 2019, Ridgewell and Portland mutually agreed to part ways.{{cite news |title=Portland Timbers, Liam Ridgewell mutually agree to part ways |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-liam-ridgewell-mutually-agree-part-ways |access-date=10 February 2019 |publisher=Portland Timbers |date=10 January 2019}}
=Return to England=
On 31 January 2019, Ridgewell joined Hull City for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47080675|title=Liam Ridgewell: Hull City sign veteran defender until end of the season|date=31 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 January 2019}} He made his debut on 9 February in a 2–0 loss at Derby County, as a 75th-minute substitute for Stephen Kingsley.{{cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Jackson |first2=William |title=RECAP Derby County vs Hull City – Martyn Waghorn scores twice on a day to forget for the Tigers |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/live-derby-county-hull-city-2525800 |access-date=10 February 2019 |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=9 February 2019}} He was released by Hull City at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48315542|title=Fraizer Campbell & David Marshall: Hull City plan to offer duo new deals|date=17 May 2019|access-date=19 May 2019|work=BBC Sport}}
On 9 August 2019, Ridgewell signed a one-year deal with EFL League One club Southend United, with the option of a second.{{cite news |title=Liam Ridgewell: Southend United sign defender on one-year contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49205175 |access-date=31 August 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 August 2019}} He made his debut the next day in the season opener, a 3–1 home loss to Blackpool, starting on the left of a three-man defence and being replaced by Layton Ndukwu after 52 minutes. Manager Kevin Bond said his decision may have been "unfair" to start Ridgewell after he had not played any friendlies in the summer.{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United boss Kevin Bond: It might have been unfair to start Liam Ridgewell against Blackpool |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/17829493.blues-boss-bond-might-unfair-start-liam/ |access-date=31 August 2019 |work=Echo |date=10 August 2019}} He left Southend on 31 January 2020, having played no further part.{{cite web |title=Southend United confirm Liam Ridgewell's departure |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/18203521.southend-united-confirm-liam-ridgewells-departure/ |website=Echo News |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=16 February 2020}}
On 22 May 2020, Ridgewell joined amateur side Sutton Rangers in the Sutton and District Sunday League.{{cite web|url=https://fanbanter.co.uk/ex-aston-villa-birmingham-and-west-brom-player-retires-then-joins-sunday-league-club/|title=Liam Ridgewell retires and joins Sutton Rangers in Sunday league|date=22 May 2020|website=shortlist.com}}
Coaching career
Ridgewell took on his first coaching job in December 2020, when he joined National League club Dover Athletic in the role of a first-team coach, assisting the manager Andy Hessenthaler.{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/sport/former-premier-league-defender-joins-dover-239643/|title=Former Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell joins Dover Athletic as a coach|publisher=Kent Online|date=22 December 2020|access-date=26 December 2020}}
Ridgewell joined the Portland Timbers coaching staff for the 2023 season. He holds a UEFA B Coaching License.{{cite web|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/timbers-sign-coaching-staff-to-multiyear-contract-extensions-add-liam-ridgewell|title=Timbers sign coaching staff to multiyear contract extensions, add Liam Ridgewell|publisher=Portland Timbers|date=10 November 2022|access-date=4 March 2023}}
Personal life
In October 2016, Ridgewell and Portland Timbers teammate Jake Gleeson were arrested and charged with driving under the influence and refusing breathalyzer tests in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The case against Ridgewell was dropped in January 2017 when a judge ruled that the police had insufficient cause to stop and test him, while Gleeson pleaded no contest to his charges.{{cite news |title=Drunken driving case against Portland Timbers' Liam Ridgewell to be dropped, prosecutor says |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/lake-oswego/2017/01/drunken_driving_case_against_p.html |access-date=10 February 2019 |work=The Oregonian |date=4 January 2017}}
Ridgewell co-owns custom swimwear company Thomas Royall with fellow footballers Sam Saunders and John Terry.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sam-saunders-swimwear-taking-summer-8662649|title=The swimwear brand that footballers like John Terry can't get enough of|last=Murtagh|first=Jacob|website=Daily Mirror |date=19 August 2016|access-date=20 August 2016}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|match played 15 May 2021}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Aston Villa
Birmingham City
- Football League Cup: 2010–11{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham |first=Philip |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=25 March 2024}}
Portland Timbers
- MLS Cup: 2015{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2015/12/6/9858868/timbers-crew-2015-mls-cup-final-score-results|title=Goals, screw-ups, stats and more: Everything great from the MLS Cup Final|first=Kevin|last=McCauley|date=6 December 2015}}
- Western Conference (playoffs): 2015{{cite news |last1=Carlisle |first1=Jeff |title=Liam Ridgewell, Fanendo Adi fit and 'ready to go' for Portland in MLS Cup |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/portland-timbers/story/2740080/liam-ridgewell-fanendo-adi-fit-for-portland-timbers-mls-cup |access-date=9 May 2021 |publisher=ESPN |date=4 December 2015}}
Individual
- MLS All-Star: 2014
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.timbers.com/players/liam-ridgewell/ Player Profile] on Portland Timbers FC website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridgewell, Liam}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Bexley
Category:People from Bexleyheath
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:West Ham United F.C. players
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:AFC Bournemouth players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players
Category:Portland Timbers players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Hull City A.F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:English Sunday league players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Designated Players (MLS)
Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars