Nile Ranger
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nile Ranger
| image =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|4|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Wood Green, England{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=502|edition=43rd}}
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Kettering Town
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Crystal Palace
| youthyears2 = 2007–2008
| youthclubs2 = Southampton
| youthyears3 = 2008–2009
| youthclubs3 = Newcastle United
| years1 = 2009–2013
| clubs1 = Newcastle United
| caps1 = 51
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = → Barnsley (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
| caps3 = 8
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2013–2014
| clubs4 = Swindon Town
| caps4 = 23
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2014–2016
| clubs5 = Blackpool
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2016–2018
| clubs6 = Southend United
| caps6 = 45
| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2020–2021
| clubs7 = Spalding United
| caps7 = 1
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2021
| clubs8 = Southend United
| caps8 = 1
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2021–2022
| clubs9 = Boreham Wood
| caps9 = 0
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Kettering Town
| caps10 = 24
| goals10 = 10
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam1 = England U19[http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/R/nile-ranger Nile Ranger]. thefa.com
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| club-update = 08:34, 10 October 2024 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 15:18, 4 January 2018 (UTC)
}}
Nile Ranger (born 11 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Kettering Town.
Previously with Crystal Palace and Southampton, Ranger finished his youth career at Newcastle United, where he made his professional debut and was part of their team which won the Football League Championship in 2009–10. Later on in his spell at St James's Park, he was loaned to Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday. He played international football for England U19.
After leaving Newcastle by mutual consent in 2013, he went on to play for Swindon Town, Blackpool and Southend United in the English Football League, with his spells at all three clubs being hindered by disciplinary issues including multiple absences from training. Ranger, who was incarcerated for involvement in armed robbery as a teenager, served a prison sentence for fraud in 2017.{{cite web|title=Ex-Premier League striker Nile Ranger jailed for fraud|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40021308|website=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 May 2017|date=23 May 2017}}
Early life
Born in Wood Green in North London, Ranger attended Alexandra Park School. He began his football career at Crystal Palace Football Academy and was at their development centre from a young age. He was with the Protec Football Development School for a few weeks before being scouted by Southampton. His career was almost over before it began, as whilst playing for the club he was sentenced to 11 weeks in a Young Offender's Institute for his part in an armed street robbery in Muswell Hill committed before signing for the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-13411675 |title=Newcastle player Nile Ranger 'regrets' handgun photo |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=16 May 2011}} He returned to Southampton after completing his sentence, but was eventually released as a player with a bad reputation after he stole boots, training kit and a staff member's box of chocolates.{{cite web | last=Johnston | first=Neil | title=Nile Ranger: 'I'd still be playing in the Premier League if I had behaved' | website=BBC Sport | date=10 October 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgryqewrykjo | access-date=10 October 2024}}{{cite news|title=Alan Shearer to give starlet chance in relegation fight |work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/5178207/Alan-Shearer-to-give-Newcastle-starlet-Nile-Ranger-his-chance-in-relegation-dogfight.html|access-date=4 December 2010 | location=London | first=Duncan | last=White | date=18 April 2009}} He was offered terms by Swindon Town after a successful trial before Newcastle United signed him.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
Club career
=Newcastle United=
In July 2008, director of football at Newcastle, Dennis Wise, brought Ranger to Newcastle United. Ranger made his academy debut against Leicester City on 23 August 2008 and made his debut for the reserve team against Sunderland at St James' Park on 1 September 2008. He impressed hugely in these levels, finishing with 15 goals for the Under-18s and seven for the reserves in his first season on Tyneside. That resulted in his winning the "Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy" in 2009. He was subsequently rewarded by then-manager Alan Shearer with a new and improved three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web|title=Nile Ranger signs new Newcastle United contract|work=The Chronicle|date=15 April 2009 | url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/04/15/nile-ranger-signs-new-newcastle-united-contract-72703-23390288/| access-date=15 April 2009 }}
Ranger's Newcastle debut came as an added-time substitute for Shola Ameobi against West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on 8 August 2009.[http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_3149142,00.html West Brom 1 – 1 Newcastle] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815052215/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_3149142,00.html |date=15 August 2009 }} Sky Sports, 8 August 2009
He made his first senior start against Leicester City on 31 August, where he won the man of the match award; he played just over 84 minutes before being substituted and received a standing ovation from fans.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8224673.stm Newcastle 1 – 0 Leicester] BBC Sport, 31 August 2009 He scored his first senior goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Coventry City on 9 December, after coming on as a substitute for Peter Løvenkrands.{{cite news|title=Coventry 0 – 2 Newcastle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8391293.stm|access-date=26 January 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=8 December 2009}} Ranger scored the second of his two league goals that season in a 2–0 home win against Crystal Palace on 27 January 2010,{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Louise|title=Nile Ranger's late goal deepens Crystal Palace gloom at Newcastle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/27/newcastle-united-crystal-palace-championship|access-date=26 January 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 January 2010}} as Newcastle ended the season as champions and were promoted to the Premier League.
After appearing as an unused substitute in the first two Premier League games for Newcastle, he started in the Football League Cup wins over Accrington Stanley and Chelsea. He scored the first equalising goal in the game at Stamford Bridge on 22 September 2010, appearing in a right-wing berth, as Newcastle went on to triumph 4–3.{{cite news|title=Chelsea 3 – 4 Newcastle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9010051.stm|access-date=26 January 2014|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2010}} He made his Premier League debut on 16 October, coming off the bench in the 89th minute in a 2–2 draw against Wigan Athletic. He made a host of substitute appearances for Newcastle after that, notably in the 1–0 away win to Arsenal, when he turned past Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and was through on goal before the latter tugged him down and received a red card. Ranger signed a new {{frac|5|1|2}}-year contract on 3 December 2010, keeping him at the club until 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20101203/niles-smiles-after-new-deal_2281670_2236473|title=Nile's Smiles After New Deal|publisher=nufc.co.uk|date= 3 December 2010|access-date= 4 December 2010}} He also started several games after, for a while, being the club's only fit striker after the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool and injuries to Shola Ameobi and Leon Best.
On 21 November 2011, having failed to appear for Newcastle in the season up to that date, Ranger signed on loan for Championship club Barnsley until 14 January 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20111121/rangers-a-red_2281670_2522990 |title=Ranger's A Red |date=21 November 2011 |access-date=21 November 2011 |publisher=NUFC.co.uk |first=Dan |last=King |archive-date=24 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124023742/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20111121/rangers-a-red_2281670_2522990 |url-status=dead }} In his fifth game for Barnsley, a 1–0 away defeat to West Ham United on 17 December 2011, Ranger injured his foot. His loan was cut short and he returned to Newcastle.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16305209|title=Nile Ranger returns to Newcastle United|work=BBC Sport|date=22 December 2011|accessdate=9 March 2025}}
On 22 March 2012, he joined Sheffield Wednesday in League One on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday sign Keith Treacy and Nile Ranger|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17479975|work=BBC Sport|access-date=23 March 2012}}
On 19 January 2013, Ranger criticised the Newcastle fans on Twitter for booing the team off after a 2–1 home loss to fellow strugglers Reading.{{cite news |title=Troubled striker Nile Ranger has his Newcastle contract cancelled |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/01/nile-ranger-newcastle-contract-cancelled |access-date=22 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=1 March 2013}} He left Newcastle by mutual consent on 1 March 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20130301/club-statement-nile-ranger_2281670_3094148|title=Club Statement: Nile Ranger |publisher=nufc.co.uk|date=1 March 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}
=Swindon Town=
Ranger joined Swindon Town of League One on a one-year deal, with the option of a second, on 16 August 2013. He was signed despite his ongoing rape case.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23731629|title=Nile Ranger: Swindon sign striker despite ongoing rape case|work=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2013|access-date=16 August 2013}}
Ranger scored his first goal for Swindon on 27 August against Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup and his first league goal in the following game four days later, a 5–0 home win against Crewe Alexandra.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/23764087 | title=Qpr 0–2 Swindon Town | work=BBC Sport | date=27 August 2013 | access-date=3 May 2014}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/23822854 | title=Swindon 5–0 Crewe | work=BBC Sport | date=31 August 2013 | access-date=3 May 2014}} He was a regular in the side until early November, scoring four more goals.
On 14 November he failed to report to the club for training after being given a period of leave. He played one more game before again failing to turn up at the club. Manager Mark Cooper decided Ranger would not appear until he showed "respect for the team". In December Cooper said he would offload Ranger if he failed to train and because of his disciplinary record. On 3 January 2014, Swindon Town chairman Lee Power confirmed in a press conference that the club would be meeting with Ranger and his management in the following days to confirm his sacking due to his disrespect shown towards the club through constant absence during training. Power said "I'm the chairman of the club and I've got to do what's best for the club. Unfortunately, what's best for the club is having to sit down with Nile and talk about parting ways. While this is ongoing Nile is not training with the squad."{{cite news|title=Swindon Confirm Nile Ranger Sacking Meeting|url=http://www.swindon.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=344005|newspaper=Vital Football|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901200557/http://www.swindon.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=344005|archive-date=1 September 2017|url-status=dead}} He was soon recalled to the squad, scoring in a 2–1 win against Peterborough United on 11 January.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25599937 | title=Swindon 2–1 Peterborough United | work=BBC Sport | date=11 January 2014 | access-date=3 May 2014}} He continued to play throughout January and early February, scoring three more goals. On 14 February he suffered a hamstring tear in a game against Colchester United, his last game for Swindon.
He had played 28 games in all competitions, scoring ten goals. His time with the club had been beset with disciplinary problems and issues with his private life and on 2 May 2014, Ranger and Swindon Town mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.{{cite web |title=Club Statement |url=http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/clubstatement2514-1524050.aspx |work=Swindon Town FC |date=2 May 2014}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27187456 | title=Nile Ranger: Swindon Town striker leaves by mutual consent | work=BBC Sport | date=2 May 2014 | access-date=3 May 2014}}
=Blackpool=
On 16 August 2014 Ranger signed for Blackpool of the Championship on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28819836|title=Nile Ranger: Blackpool sign ex-Newcastle and Swindon striker|date=16 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 August 2017}} He scored against Millwall on 30 August and against Leeds United on 8 November, both in defeats.{{cite news|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/15yjky41rbp4c15disr9rrugti/title/united-too-strong-for-blackpool|title=United too strong for Blackpool |date=8 November 2014|access-date=8 November 2014|publisher=Leeds United }} After two more league appearances, he went AWOL after being left out of the squad to face Birmingham City in early December. He claimed he had to return to London for "family issues".[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30598489 "Lee Clark: Blackpool's Nile Ranger has not turned up for training"] – BBC Sport, 24 December 2014 In late January 2015, Blackpool began to fine the striker for each day he was absent.[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/ranger-still-missing-and-facing-club-fine-1-7073199 "Ranger still missing and facing club fine"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702051754/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/ranger-still-missing-and-facing-club-fine-1-7073199 |date=2 July 2015 }} – Blackpool Gazette, 27 January 2015 In May 2015 Blackpool released 17 players following their relegation. They took up an option to extend Ranger's contract for another year.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32794959 | title=Blackpool: Nile Ranger stays on as 17 players are released | work=BBC Sport | date=19 May 2015 | access-date=1 July 2015}} Despite saying he would return to the club for pre-season training in preparation for the 2015–16 season,[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/nile-ranger-i-ll-come-back-to-pool-in-two-weeks-1-7340117 "Nile Ranger: I'll come back to Pool in two weeks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706181203/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/nile-ranger-i-ll-come-back-to-pool-in-two-weeks-1-7340117 |date=6 July 2015 }} – Blackpool Gazette, 3 July 2015 he failed to do so[http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/blackpool-target-links-up-with-wigan-1-7366674 "Blackpool target links up with Wigan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722165653/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/blackpool-target-links-up-with-wigan-1-7366674 |date=22 July 2015 }} – Blackpool Gazette, 20 July 2015 until 28 July,[https://archive.today/20160820004827/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/nile-ranger-finally-returns-to-blackpool-training-1-7380741 "Nile Ranger finally returns to Blackpool training"] – Blackpool Gazette, 28 July 2015 by which point Blackpool had played four friendlies.
{{Blockquote|I have seen two of my good friends pass away. Whilst overcoming this it has made me realise life is really short and I have really been taking things for granted. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Southampton, Newcastle, Swindon and Blackpool for giving me the chance to experience the dream of being a professional footballer. To add to this I would like to apologise to everyone at these clubs including management, players, staff and fans. I should have given more and been a better role model. I would also like to add I am sorry to my current team-mates at Blackpool for being missing for a long period of time and not attending pre-season and putting in the hard work during this time. Truth be told I'm just a young boy who has been living the dream and playing a game which I do love and miss deeply, and hope that one day I will be able to get back on a pitch and play because life is really too short.|Ranger issued an apology to the club in September 2015.{{cite news|title=Nile Ranger: Blackpool striker apologises for behaviour|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34390962|access-date=29 September 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2015}}}}
On 2 February 2016, Blackpool announced that Ranger had left the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/ranger-departs-blackpool-2934962.aspx|title=Ranger Departs Blackpool|publisher=Blackpool F.C.|date=2 February 2016|access-date=2 February 2016}}
=Southend United=
On 3 August 2016, Southend United announced that they had signed Ranger on a one-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36963419 |title=Nile Ranger: Southend United sign striker on one-year deal |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=3 August 2016 }} He made his debut 13 days later in a 3–0 win at Sheffield United, his first professional match since November 2014, but was substituted with an injury halfway through the first half.{{cite news|last1=Shield|first1=James|title=Blades 0, Southend 3: Sheffield United press self-destruct button in sorry showing against league's bottom club|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/blades-0-southend-3-sheffield-united-press-self-destruct-button-in-sorry-showing-against-league-s-bottom-club-1-8072666|access-date=1 September 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=16 August 2016}} On 12 November, Ranger scored his first goals for the Shrimpers, one in each half of a 4–1 win over Bury at Gigg Lane.{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Chris|title=Match report: Bury 1, Southend United 4|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/reports/14884156.Match_report__Bury_1__Southend_United_4/|access-date=1 September 2017|work=Echo|date=12 November 2016}} On 1 December Ranger signed a new contract with Southend, committing him to the club until 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38167807|title=Nile Ranger: Southend United striker signs new contract to 2020|date=1 December 2016|access-date=26 August 2017|work=BBC Sport}}
Ranger began the 2017–18 season having served time in prison for online banking fraud. On his release he was subject to a 7pm curfew meaning he could not play games with an evening kick-off. He was also electronically tagged. On 22 September the tag was removed and Ranger was included in the squad to play an away game at Fleetwood. He scored in a 4–2 win; his controversial goal celebration involving removing his boot and using it to mimic the action of someone using a machine gun.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/video-controversial-ex-blackpool-fc-striker-s-machine-gun-celebration-angers-fans-1-8769285|title=VIDEO: Controversial ex-Blackpool FC striker's 'machine gun' celebration angers fans|work=Blackpool Gazette|date=23 September 2017 |access-date=24 September 2017}}
Ranger's contract with the club was terminated on 4 January 2018 because of "recurring disciplinary issues".{{cite web|title=Nile Ranger: Southend United terminate striker's deal for disciplinary reasons|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42568074|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 January 2018|date=4 January 2018}}{{cite web |date=4 January 2018 |title=Club statement regarding Nile Ranger |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20180105070112/https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2018/january/club-statement-regarding-nile-ranger/ |access-date=4 January 2018 |publisher=Southend United FC}}
=Spalding United=
On 29 October 2020, after a stint at Barnet Sunday League side AC United,{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=Alex |title=Nile Ranger: Former Newcastle United striker signs for Sunday League side AC United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54574522 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 October 2020 |date=16 October 2020}} Ranger signed for Northern Premier League Division One South East club Spalding United.{{Cite web|title=Spalding United shock the non-league football world again as Nile Ranger signs on at the Sir Halley Stewart Field|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/spalding-united-shock-non-league-football-world-again-nile-ranger-signs-sir-halley-stewart-field-3018375|access-date=2020-10-29|website=peterboroughtoday.co.uk|date=29 October 2020 |language=en}} Two days later, he made his debut against Belper Town, scoring one and assisting another in the process.{{Cite tweet|title=Here's today's starting line-up! COME ON YOU TULIPS|number=1322543871969107971|access-date=2020-11-02|user=SMatchday|date=2020-10-31}}{{Cite tweet|title=GOAAALLLLL|number=1322572925740945408|user=SMatchday|date=2020-10-31|access-date=2020-11-02}}
=Return to Southend United=
In February 2021, Ranger returned to Southend United, signing on a month-by-month contract.{{cite web |title=Nile Ranger: Southend United re-sign striker on "incentivised contract" |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55903111 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 February 2021 |date=18 February 2021}} His debut game on 27 February, during his second spell with Southend, lasted only 11 minutes. Coming on as a second-half substitute against Salford City, Ranger sustained a groin injury and was himself substituted off.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19123834.nile-rangers-return-lasts-just-11-minutes-southend-united/|title=Nile Ranger's return lasts just 11 minutes for Southend United|website=Echo|date=27 February 2021 }} His injury was so severe that he was reported as being unlikely to play for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19136482.southend-united-striker-nile-ranger-unlikely-play-season/|title=Southend United striker Nile Ranger unlikely to play again this season|website=Echo|location =Southend| date=4 March 2021}} In May 2021, following Southend's relegation into the National League, manager Phil Brown revealed Southend had "severed all ties" with Ranger after the striker failed to attend physiotherapy sessions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19294499.southend-united-sever-ties-nile-ranger-striker-fails-attend-physiotherapy-sessions/|title=Southend United 'sever all ties' with Nile Ranger after striker fails to attend physiotherapy sessions|website=Echo|location =Southend| date=11 May 2021}} Ranger himself claimed that Southend were not funding his travel to the sessions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19298534.nile-ranger-disappointed-manner-departure-southend-united/|title=Nile Ranger disappointed by manner of his departure from Southend United|website=Echo|location =Southend| date=12 May 2021}}
= Boreham Wood =
In December 2021, Ranger signed for National League club Boreham Wood. His contract length was 'undisclosed'.{{Cite news|title=Striker Ranger joins Boreham Wood|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59524521|access-date=2021-12-03}} He made his Boreham Wood debut on 6 December coming on as a late substitute in a 4–0 FA Cup second round win against St Albans City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/match-report-st-albans-city-h/|title=MATCH REPORT – ST ALBANS CITY (H)|date=7 December 2021}}
=Kettering Town=
On 9 September 2024, Ranger appeared for Kettering Town Town in a 2–1 win against St Ives Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central, the seventh tier of English football.{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgryqewrykjo|title= 'I was wild and messed up - I don't want others to make same mistakes'|date=10 October 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 October 2024}}
Kettering manager Richard Lavery confirmed to the press that Ranger had signed a deal with the club.{{cite news |title=Ex-Newcastle striker Ranger signs for Kettering |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3rdgxwgz4p |access-date=10 September 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2024}} In the next match, on 14 September against Cleethorpes Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round, Ranger scored the only goal as Kettering progressed to the next round.{{cite web |title=Kettering Town v Cleethorpes Town match report |url=https://ketteringtownfc.com/match-report-kettering-town-v-cleethorpes-town-saturday-14-september-2024/ |publisher=Kettering Town FC |access-date=21 September 2024 |date=14 September 2024}}
On 2 November 2024, Ranger scored in the second minute of extra-time to give Kettering a 2–1 win against League One Northampton Town, four divisions higher in the football pyramid, in the first round of the 2024–25 FA Cup.{{cite web | last=Cole | first=Jackson | title=Nile Ranger gives Kettering shock FA Cup win at EFL side FOUR leagues higher | website=talkSPORT | date=2 November 2024 | url=https://talksport.com/football/2219092/nile-ranger-kettering-fa-cup-win-northampton-town/ | access-date=4 November 2024}} The following week, having scored seven goals in ten games, Ranger signed a one-year extension to his contact with Kettering Town.{{cite web |title=Nile Ranger signs contact extension for the Opooies |url=https://www.ketteringtownfc.com/nile-ranger-signs-contract-extension-for-the-poppies/ |publisher=Kettering Town FC |access-date=11 November 2024}}
International career
Ranger made his debut for the England U19 team on 25 March 2009 against the Czech Republic U19s. He got his first goal for the Under-19s in his second match, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a headed effort. He helped his team to the final of the UEFA U-19 Championship but his team eventually lost the final to host nation Ukraine 2–0 in Donetsk.{{cite web | url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0257-0deb6561d20d-9b66608be7e3-1000--tallinn-triumph-continues-spain-s-u19-dominance/ | title=Tallinn triumph continues Spain's U19 dominance | date=15 July 2012 | publisher=UEFA | access-date=29 September 2015}}
Legal history
In 2007, at the age of 15, Ranger was sentenced to 11 weeks in a Young Offenders Institute after being convicted of participating in street robbery in Muswell Hill, London.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/newcastle-s-nile-ranger-returns-to-his-north-london-roots-3416336|title=Newcastle's Nile Ranger returns to his north London roots to face Spurs|first=Ben|last=Pearce|date=27 December 2010|website=Hackney Gazette}}
In May 2011 Ranger was questioned by Newcastle after posing with a replica gun in a photograph.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/16/newcastle-nile-ranger-replica-gun?INTCMP=SRCH |title= Newcastle's Nile Ranger 'regrets' posing with replica gun|author=Press Association |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2011 |access-date=28 July 2013}}
On 27 August 2011, he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a man in Newcastle city centre, leaving the victim unconscious in the street. Ranger was subsequently dropped to Newcastle United's reserve team. He was found not guilty of the charge in October 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-14691913|title=Newcastle player Nile Ranger arrested over assault |work=BBC News |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=27 August 2011}}
In October 2011 he was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Newcastle's Cathedral Square. The charge came only days after Ranger had been reinstated to Newcastle United's first-team training after a three-month exile in the club's reserves.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15524414 | title=Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger charged after night out | work=BBC News | date=31 October 2011 | access-date=1 November 2011}}
In March 2012, he was fined by The FA for making homophobic comments on social networking website Twitter.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17178936 |publisher=BBC |date=1 March 2012 |access-date=5 March 2012|title=Man Utd's Federico Macheda fined for homophobic tweets}}
In the early hours of 23 September 2012, police were called to a house in Enfield, north London after reports of a disturbance. The front door of the property was badly damaged and Ranger was arrested at the scene and later charged with criminal damage.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/24/newcastle-united-nile-ranger-arrested |title=Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger arrested and charged by police| work=The Guardian | date=24 September 2012 }} The charge against Ranger was dropped that November after the court accepted his explanation that he had damaged the door after fearing his girlfriend was being kidnapped.{{cite news|title=Nile Ranger feared girlfriend was being kidnapped|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/11/06/nile-ranger-feared-girlfriend-was-being-kidnapped-72703-32176018/|access-date=3 January 2013|newspaper=chroniclelive.com|date=6 November 2012}}
On 25 January 2013, Ranger was arrested on suspicion of rape in a Newcastle hotel room.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21194258 |title=Newcastle United's Nile Ranger arrested after rape claim|work=BBC News|date=25 January 2013 |access-date=25 January 2013}} In connection with the same alleged offence, Ranger was charged with rape on 8 July 2013.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-23230689 | title=Nile Ranger: Ex-Newcastle United footballer on rape charge | publisher=BBC News Tyne and Wear | date=8 July 2013 | access-date=8 July 2013}} On 4 March 2014, he was cleared of the charge at Newcastle Crown Court.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-26441513 | title=Footballer Nile Ranger cleared of rape | work=BBC News | date=4 March 2014 | access-date=5 March 2014}}
On 14 March 2013, Ranger was charged with common assault after an incident in Newcastle city centre.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/mar/14/newcastle-nile-ranger-arrested-suspicion | title=Former Newcastle player Nile Ranger charged with common assault | work=The Guardian | date=14 March 2013 | access-date=27 January 2014}}
On 23 March 2014, Ranger was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a taxi in Liverpool.{{cite news|title=Footballer Nile Ranger arrested over Liverpool taxi damage|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-26706371|newspaper=BBC News}} He later pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was fined £1,000 and was ordered to pay compensation to the taxi driver for breaking a window. Ranger said that he was enraged by being called a rapist by the driver.{{cite web | url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/former-nufc-footballer-nile-ranger-7099288 | title=Nile Ranger smashed Liverpool taxi window after driver branded him a 'rapist' | work=BBC News | date=9 May 2014 | access-date=10 August 2014}}
On 28 April 2014, Ranger was charged with criminal damage after an incident at a block of flats in Swindon on 13 April.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-27194758 | title=Swindon Town footballer Nile Ranger charged with criminal damage | work=BBC News | date=28 April 2014 | access-date=29 April 2014}} He was later fined for damage to the door of his flat in relation to this incident which was captured on CCTV, in an incident where he additionally appeared to strike his female companion three times in the face.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-28353228 | title=Former Newcastle United footballer Nile Ranger fined for damaging door | work=BBC News | date=17 July 2014 | access-date=10 August 2014}}
In May 2014, Ranger was found not guilty of being drunk in charge of his vehicle, after being found asleep in the driver's seat of his car on the M4 motorway.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-27378415 | title=Nile Ranger cleared of M4 sports car drink charge | work=BBC News | date=12 May 2014 | access-date=12 May 2014}}
In December 2016, Ranger was charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in respect of offences alleged to have been committed in February 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-38315202|title=Footballer Nile Ranger charged with fraud and money laundering |date=14 December 2016| newspaper= BBC News |access-date=14 December 2016}} In January 2017, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at Wood Green Crown Court.{{cite web|title=Former Premier League footballer Nile Ranger admits banking fraud|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-38584899|work=BBC News|access-date=12 January 2017|date=11 January 2017}} On 23 May 2017, he was sentenced to eight months in prison. On 11 August 2017, he was released after 10 weeks of his sentence due to "his consistently excellent custodial behaviour", remaining under curfew for the next five weeks.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-40897921|title=Nile Ranger: Ex-Premier League footballer released early from jail|date=11 August 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=26 August 2017}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 March 2022}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Newcastle United
- Football League Championship: 2009–10{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |year=2010 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6 |pages=36, 268–269}}
England U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2009{{cite web |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under19/fixturesresults/round=15215/match=2001285/report=lu.html |title=England 0–2 Ukraine: Lineups |publisher=UEFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219192059/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under19/fixturesresults/round=15215/match=2001285/report=lu.html |archive-date=19 December 2015}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranger, Nile}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Haringey
Category:People from Wood Green
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:Newcastle United F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Spalding United F.C. players
Category:Boreham Wood F.C. players
Category:Kettering Town F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:English Sunday league players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:People acquitted of rape
Category:People acquitted of assault
Category:Criminals from London
Category:English prisoners and detainees