Sam Ricketts
{{short description|Wales international football player and manager}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Ricketts
| image = Sam Ricketts.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Ricketts playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014
| fullname = Samuel Derek Ricketts{{cite book |last=Hugman |first=Barry J. |title=The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |year=2005 |page=521 |isbn=1-85291-665-6}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|10|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Aylesbury, England
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.overview.html/samuel-ricketts |title=Player Profile: Samuel Ricketts: Overview |publisher=Premier League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220234654/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.overview.html/samuel-ricketts |archive-date=20 February 2012}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2000
| youthclubs1 = Oxford United
| years1 = 2000–2003
| clubs1 = Oxford United
| caps1 = 45
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2002–2003
| clubs2 = → Nuneaton Borough (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2003–2004
| clubs3 = Telford United
| caps3 = 41
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2004–2006
| clubs4 = Swansea City
| caps4 = 86
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2006–2009
| clubs5 = Hull City
| caps5 = 113
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2009–2013
| clubs6 = Bolton Wanderers
| caps6 = 96
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2013–2015
| clubs7 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
| caps7 = 48
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2015
| clubs8 = → Swindon Town (loan)
| caps8 = 9
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2015–2016
| clubs9 = Coventry City
| caps9 = 46
| goals9 = 1
| totalcaps = 495
| totalgoals = 12
| nationalyears1 = 2003–2004
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2005–2014
| nationalteam2 = Wales
| nationalcaps2 = 52
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2018
| managerclubs1 = Wrexham
| manageryears2 = 2018–2020
| managerclubs2 = Shrewsbury Town
}}
Samuel Derek Ricketts (born 11 October 1981) is a professional football coach and former player.
As a player, his favoured position was at full back, where he was able to play either side as well as being able to operate at the centre of defence. He played over 100 games for Swansea City before playing Premier League football for both Hull City and Bolton Wanderers. He left Bolton in 2013 and captained Wolverhampton Wanderers to the League One title with a record points total. Furthermore, he represented Wales at international level, making over 50 appearances for the national team.
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Early life
Ricketts was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.{{Hugman|16681|access-date=2 May 2018}} His family is highly involved in equestrianism. His father is the 1978 world showjumping champion Derek Ricketts, later performance manager of the UK showjumping team from 2002 to 2010,[http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/derek-ricketts-sacked-as-show-jumping-team-manager/ Horse and Hound, Report of dismissal, Published 13 January 2010] and his uncle is the former National Hunt champion jockey John Francome. As a teenager, Ricketts himself was a keen rider until prioritising football.{{cite web |title='If Millwall don't fancy it, then we've got a chance' says Telford's Ricketts – and he's not horsing around! |website=GiveMeFootball.com |url=http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=3811&type=1&month=2&year=2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005637/http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=3811&type=1&month=2&year=2005| url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=1 July 2006}}
Club career
=Early career=
Ricketts began his career at Oxford United, making his first team debut on 8 October 2000 in a 2–1 Second Division defeat at rivals Swindon Town.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/959715.stm |title=Swindon 2–1 Oxford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2000}} He played 48 total games and scored once, in a 2–0 home win over Southend United on 22 September 2001.{{cite news |title=Oxford 2–0 Southend |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1554259.stm |access-date=12 March 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 September 2001}}
In 2002 he was loaned to Nuneaton Borough of the Football Conference. On 26 December, he was sent off in the 25th minute of a 2–1 home loss to Burton Albion for a foul on John Burns.{{cite news |title=Nuneaton 1–2 Burton Albion |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/2588643.stm |access-date=12 March 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2002}} In the last of his 11 games for Nuneaton, he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 home draw with leaders Yeovil Town on 25 January 2003.{{cite news |title=Sam signs off in style |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/other-sport/sam-signs-off-in-style-3188818 |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=27 January 2003}}
He was released from his professional contract to sign for Conference side Telford United in the summer of 2003. His form for Telford led him to be selected for the England non-League XI that season. On 6 April 2004, he scored the only goal of a win against Shropshire rivals Shrewsbury Town at the New Bucks Head.{{cite news |title=Telford 1–0 Shrewsbury |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/3593315.stm |access-date=13 March 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 April 2004}}
=Swansea City=
Telford United went out of business at the end of the 2003–04 season, meaning Ricketts' contract was annulled. Swansea manager Kenny Jackett offered him a return to league football though, and he joined Swansea City on a two-year deal on 27 May 2004.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/3753645.stm |title=Ricketts moves to Swansea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2004}}
He helped the team to promotion from League Two in his first season, during which he was selected in the division's PFA Team of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/4480635.stm |title=Swans duo win PFA team accolade |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2005}} At the end of the campaign he was rewarded for his performances with a new improved contract.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/4114908.stm |title=Ricketts signs new Swansea deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2005}} His second season saw the team reach the League One Play-off Final, but Ricketts was part of the team that lost on penalties to Barnsley.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/5023110.stm |title=How Lge 1 play-off final unfolded |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2006}}
=Hull City=
File:Sam Ricketts Hull City v. Newcastle United 2.png
After 103 appearances in total for Swansea, Ricketts moved to Championship club Hull City on 14 July 2006 on a three-year contract. Hull triggered his release clause by paying £300,000.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/5168774.stm |title=Ricketts completes move to Hull |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2006}} He started every minute of Hull's first ten games but sustained a broken cheekbone in the tenth game – a win against Hartlepool United – that required an operation, thereby ruling him out for several weeks.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/5365482.stm |title=Ricketts faces cheekbone surgery |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2006}} He made 45 appearances during the season, and scored his only goal for Hull on 31 March 2007, in a 4–0 home win over Southend United.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6490979.stm |title=Hull 4–0 Southend |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2007}}
The defender was part of the Hull team that won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history at the end of the 2007–08 season; he played in their Championship play-off final victory over Bristol City.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7416502.stm |title=Bristol City 0–1 Hull: Report |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2008 |access-date=13 December 2018}} Hull manager Phil Brown had stated in advance of this that he wanted to extend Ricketts' contract due to his performances.{{cite web |title=Hull to offer Ricketts new deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7339348.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2008}}
Ricketts made 29 league appearances for the Tigers in their inaugural top-flight campaign, as they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season. Following this, he entered into talks regarding a new deal with the club, but had been linked to other Premier League clubs.{{cite web |title=Hull hopeful of keeping Ricketts |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8127217.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2009}}
=Bolton Wanderers=
On 25 July 2009, fellow Premier League club Bolton Wanderers confirmed Ricketts had signed a three-year deal with them for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/07/24/megson-swoops-to-boost-defence-115875-21543679/ |title=Bolton edge Portsmouth in getting Sam Ricketts signature |date=24 July 2009 |newspaper=The Mirror}} He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Sunderland on 15 August and went on to play in every defensive position for the club.
In February 2011 he suffered a snapped Achilles tendon during an FA Cup replay against Wigan Athletic, which put him out of first team contention until the end of the year.{{cite web |title=Sam Ricketts ruled out for season with Achilles injury |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/9400135.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2011}} He made his return on New Year's Eve 2011, where he also scored his first Bolton goal, in a 1–1 draw against his future club Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16325117.stm |title=Bolton 1–1 Wolverhampton |date=31 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Ricketts' contract expired at the end of the 2011–12 season but, despite Bolton being relegated from the Premier League, he signed a new two-year deal with the club in the summer of 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2776253,00.html |title=Ricketts signs new deal |date=18 May 2012 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520063442/http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0%2C%2C1004~2776253%2C00.html |archive-date=20 May 2012}} On 4 July 2013, after a season in which the team failed to make an instant return to the top flight, Bolton confirmed that his contract had been cancelled by mutual agreement.{{cite web |url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/ricketts-departs-4.7.13-893808.aspx |title=Ricketts departs |date=4 July 2013 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |access-date=4 July 2013 |archive-date=8 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708053507/http://www.bwfc.co.uk//news/article/ricketts-departs-4.7.13-893808.aspx |url-status=dead }}
He later expressed his disappointment at leaving Bolton Wanderers.{{cite web |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/10794750.Sam_Ricketts_admits_disappointment_at_leaving_Bolton_Wanderers/=.aspx |title=Sam Ricketts admits disappointment at leaving Bolton Wanderers |date=8 November 2013 |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110084154/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/10794750.Sam_Ricketts_admits_disappointment_at_leaving_Bolton_Wanderers/=.aspx/ |archive-date=10 January 2016}}
=Wolverhampton Wanderers=
On the same day as his exit from Bolton, Ricketts joined Wolverhampton Wanderers of League One as a free agent in a two-year deal, reuniting with his former Swansea manager Kenny Jackett.{{cite news |title=Sam Ricketts: Wolves sign Bolton Wanderers' Welsh defender |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23150405 |date=4 July 2013}} Having been appointed club captain, he made his debut on 3 August 2013 in a goalless draw at Preston North End.{{cite news |title=Preston 0–0 Wolves |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/23474880 |date=3 August 2013}} Ricketts was a regular member of the Wolves team that won the League One title that season with a record 103 points.{{cite news |title=Wolves 3–0 Carlisle United |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27167811 |date=3 May 2014}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 6–4 win against Rotherham United on 18 April 2014.{{cite news |title=Wolves 6–4 Rotherham |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26983300 |date=18 April 2014}}
Back in the Championship, Ricketts seldom featured for Wolves, despite remaining club captain, and in January 2015 was made available for loan.{{cite news |title=Wolves make Sam Ricketts available for loan |newspaper=Express & Star |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/01/20/wolves-make-sam-ricketts-available-for-loan/ |date=20 January 2015}} Soon after he took on a coaching role at the club,{{cite news |title=Sam Ricketts takes on coaching role at Wolves |newspaper=Express & Star |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2015/03/05/sam-ricketts-takes-on-coaching-role-at-wolves/ |date=5 March 2015}} but on 21 March 2015, left to join League One promotion contenders Swindon Town on loan for the remainder of the season.{{Cite news |title=Sam Ricketts: Swindon sign Wolves defender on loan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32000628 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2015}} He helped the club to the play-off final, scoring an equaliser in the semi-final at Sheffield United,{{cite news |title=Sheffield United 1–2 Swindon Town |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32575854 |date=7 May 2015}} but the Robins lost the Wembley final 4–0 to Preston, in which Ricketts came on as an early substitute.{{cite news |title=Preston North End 4–0 Swindon Town |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32770740 |date=24 May 2015}}
On 17 June 2015 it was announced that his contract with Wolves will not be renewed.{{cite news |title=Ricketts to leave Wolves |publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C |url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/ricketts-to-leave-wolves-2496022.aspx |date=17 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702105828/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/ricketts-to-leave-wolves-2496022.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2015 |df=dmy-all}}
=Coventry City=
Ricketts signed for Coventry City on 6 July 2015 signing a one-year deal with the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33418443 |title=Sam Ricketts: Coventry City sign ex-Wolves captain |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015}} In July 2016 his contract was extended until the end of the 2016–17 season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36745429 Ricketts extended at Coventry] On 16 November 2016, he was forced to retire from football because of a knee injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38001039 |title=Sam Ricketts: Coventry City skipper forced to retire by knee injury |date=16 November 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=16 November 2016}}
International career
Although born in England, Ricketts was eligible for the Wales national football team due to a Welsh grandmother.{{cite news |title=Sam Ricketts: Biography & Statistics |publisher=FAW |url=http://www.faw.org.uk/PlayerDisplay.ink?skip=0&squadno=43404&season=12/13&seasonl=2012/2013&Playertype=p|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018230118/http://faw.org.uk/PlayerDisplay.ink?skip=0&squadno=43404&season=12/13&seasonl=2012/2013&Playertype=p|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 October 2012}} He made his international debut for Wales on 9 February 2005 in a friendly against Hungary that was John Toshack's first game in charge after his return as manager.{{cite news |title=Wales 2–0 Hungary |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4241751.stm |date=9 February 2005}} On 6 September 2013, he reached the milestone of 50 caps in a 2–1 loss away to Macedonia in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.{{cite news |last1=Pope |first1=Bruce |title=Macedonia 2–1 Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23964942 |access-date=13 March 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2013}}
Managerial career
=Wrexham=
After his retirement from playing, Ricketts integrated into coaching, inaugurally spending a week working alongside Brendan Rodgers's backroom staff at Scottish Premiership champions Celtic. Rodgers then advised Ricketts to begin coaching at academy level to gain experience, with the latter taking his advice and joined the academy coaching set-up at his former side Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIKrnMLjhV4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/KIKrnMLjhV4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title= INTERVIEW {{!}} Sam Ricketts - Town TV |date=2018-12-03 |access-date=2020-11-26 |work=Shrewsbury Town FC via YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
A year into his role, Ricketts left to become the first team manager of National League club Wrexham, signing a three-year contract, beginning on 2 May 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43963627 |title=Sam Ricketts: Ex-Wales defender becomes new Wrexham manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2018 |access-date=2 May 2018}} On his managerial debut, his team won 1–0 at Dover Athletic.{{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=Rob |title='It is plain to see that there is a clear and obvious change in mentality at the Racecourse under new manager Sam Ricketts' |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/it-plain-see-clear-obvious-14992427 |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=Daily Post |date=5 August 2018}} During his brief spell in charge, Ricketts guided Wrexham to 13 victories out of a possible 23, with his side constantly being in the running to gain promotion to the Football League throughout his tenure.
On 1 December 2018, he was told by club officials to stay away from their FA Cup second round match against Newport County, amid speculation that he was poised to be appointed the new manager of League One side Shrewsbury Town, a local rival.{{Cite web |title=Sam Ricketts: 'A lot of making up' for him to stay at Wrexham – Barrow |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/46412094}} With compensation agreed, he was subsequently appointed their manager days later; Wrexham were sat fourth in the table when he left.
=Shrewsbury Town=
On 3 December 2018, Ricketts was appointed manager of Shrewsbury on a 2{{frac|1|2}}-year contract, leaving a Wrexham side fourth in the table.{{cite news |title=Sam Ricketts: Shrewsbury Town appoint Wrexham boss as new manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46413259 |access-date=12 March 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2018}} Two days later in his first match, Shrewsbury won 2–1 against Walsall to reach the third round of the EFL Trophy; he was the first manager to win on his Shrewsbury debut since Graham Turner in 2010.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lewis |title=Sam Ricketts: A perfect start at Shrewsbury |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2018/12/05/sam-ricketts-a-perfect-start-at-shrewsbury/ |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=Shropshire Star |date=5 December 2018}} He brought in eight players in the January 2019 transfer window including Tyrese Campbell, Ro-Shaun Williams and Scott Golbourne.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lewis |title=Sam Ricketts relishing his learning curve at Shrewsbury Town |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/05/07/sam-ricketts-relishing-his-learning-curve-at-shrewsbury-town/ |access-date=9 May 2019 |work=Shropshire Star |date=7 May 2019}} In early 2019, Ricketts lead the club to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The club's cup run ended at the hands of rivals, and one of Ricketts' former clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Town were 2–0 up in the original tie at New Meadow with just under 20 minutes to play, but late goals from Raúl Jiménez and Matt Doherty took the tie to a replay at Molineux.{{cite news |last1=Sutcliffe |first1=Steve |title=Shrewsbury Town 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46928652| work=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2019}} Ricketts' Shrewsbury side went 2–1 up in the replay, only to eventually lose 3–2.{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Mantej |title=Wolves 3-2 Shrewsbury in FA Cup fourth-round replay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47037238| work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2019}} A 1–1 draw away at Coventry City on 28 April mathematically secured League One survival for Ricketts and the club.{{cite news |title=Coventry City 1 Shrewsbury Town 1 - Richard Fletcher and Lewis Cox analysis |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/2019/04/28/coventry-city-1-shrewsbury-town-1-richard-fletcher-and-lewis-cox-analysis-watch/ |access-date=21 September 2019 |publisher=Shropshire Star |date=28 April 2019}}
File:Sam Ricketts as Shrewsbury manager, 21 Sep 2019.jpg
In the summer of 2019, Ricketts made more notable signings to strengthen the squad for the upcoming 2019–20 season, bringing in players such as Jason Cummings from Nottingham Forest, Sean Goss from Queens Park Rangers, Donald Love from Sunderland, Ethan Ebanks-Landell from Wolves and Aaron Pierre from Northampton Town. Ricketts started the season with a 1–0 win at home to Portsmouth on 4 August, with loanee Ryan Giles scoring the goal.{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lewis |title=Shrewsbury Town 1 Portsmouth 0 - Report and pictures |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/08/03/shrewsbury-town-1-portsmouth-0-report-and-pictures/ |access-date=3 August 2019 |work=Shropshire Star |date=3 August 2019}} During the 2019–20 season, Ricketts lead the club to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the second time during his management spell, defeating Bradford City, Mansfield Town and Bristol City along the way. The fourth round would see Ricketts and his Shrewsbury side host Premier League leaders and European and World champions Liverpool, where Shrewsbury came from 0–2 down to draw 2–2 with 2 goals from substitute Jason Cummings, forcing a replay at Anfield.{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town 2-2 Liverpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51208528 |access-date=12 February 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2020}} In the replay, Shrewsbury fell short after a Shaun Whalley goal was disallowed by VAR for offside and an own goal from Ro-Shaun Williams saw the hosts win 1–0.{{cite news |title=Liverpool 1 - 0 Shrewsbury - Match Report & Highlights |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/liverpool-vs-shrewsbury/423668 |access-date=12 February 2020 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=5 February 2020}} This cup run brought repercussions, however, as Ricketts and the club went 10 league games without a win between December 2019 and February 2020. A 2–0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley on 11 February 2020{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Accrington Stanley - BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51366597 |access-date=12 February 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2020}} followed by another 2–0 defeat away at Portsmouth on 15 February{{cite news |title= Portsmouth 2-0 Shrewsbury Town – Lewis Cox's player ratings |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/02/16/portsmouth-2-0-shrewsbury-town-lewis-coxs-player-ratings/ |access-date=21 February 2020 |last=Cox |first=Lewis |publisher=Shropshire Star |date=15 February 2020}} put Ricketts' job under severe pressure. The winless run ended a week later on 22 February after a 1–0 win at home to Doncaster Rovers.{{cite news |title= Shrewsbury Town 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 - Report and pictures |url= https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/02/22/shrewsbury-town-1-doncaster-rovers-0-report-and-pictures/ |access-date=22 February 2020 |last=Cox |first=Lewis |publisher=Shropshire Star |date=22 February 2020}} On 14 March 2020, Ricketts and his Shrewsbury side were scheduled to take on top-of-the-table Coventry City at St Andrew's, however the match was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.{{cite web |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201920/march/coventry-city-vs-shrewsbury-town-on-14-mar-20/ |title=Coventry City vs Shrewsbury Town - 14 March 2020 |work=Shrewsbury Town FC}} Due to the pandemic, the 2019–20 League One season was cut short and it was decided that final league positions would be based on a points-per-game basis. This saw the club finish 15th in the final table.
With first-team midfielder Josh Laurent leaving for Championship club Reading,{{cite web |title=🖋️ Josh Laurent is a Royal! |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2020/july/josh-laurent-is-a-royal/ |website=Reading FC official site |access-date=28 July 2020 |date=28 July 2020}} Ricketts looked to strengthen his Shrewsbury squad again in the summer of 2020. The departure of Irish goalkeeper Joe Murphy also meant Ricketts only had 1 senior goalkeeper. On 3 August, Ricketts managed to get 3 deals over the line, bringing in striker Rekeil Pyke from Huddersfield Town and promising Northern Irish winger Josh Daniels from Glenavon, as well as the loan signing of young midfielder Scott High, also from Huddersfield Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53641515 |title=Rekeil Pyke, Scott High and Josh Daniels: Shrewsbury Town complete triple transfer |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2020 |access-date=3 September 2020}} The club played their first pre-season friendly of the season on 11 August, beating Cymru Premier side Bala Town 3–0 at Telford United's New Bucks Head. Two days later on 13 August, defender Omar Beckles rejected a new contract and subsequently also left the club, leaving a gap in Ricketts' defence.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/08/13/omar-beckles-to-leave-shrewsbury-town-after-rejecting-new-contract/ |title=Omar Beckles to leave Shrewsbury Town after rejecting new contract |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star |date=13 August 2020}} On 18 August, Ricketts won his second pre-season friendly of the season, defeating Nuneaton Borough 3–1 at home.{{efn|During the summer of 2020, the club played their pre-season home fixtures at AFC Telford United's New Bucks Head in Wellington to allow pitch works at New Meadow, that had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to take place.}}{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/08/18/shrewsbury-town-3-nuneaton-borough-1-match-report/ |title=Shrewsbury Town 3 Nuneaton Borough 1 – report and pictures |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star |date=18 August 2020 |access-date=3 September 2020}} This was followed by a defeat 0–1 home defeat to rivals Walsall on 21 August, a 5–1 defeat away at Stoke City on 25 August and a 1–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers U23, also on 25 August. On 28 August, Ricketts managed to strengthen his defence with the loan signing of United States U20 international Marlon Fossey from Fulham.{{cite news |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2020/august/marlon-fossey-signs-for-town/ |title=Marlon Fossey Signs For Town |work=Shrewsbury Town FC official site |date=28 August 2020 |access-date=3 September 2020}} The club's final pre-season friendly took place on 29 August, a 2–1 win away at Premier League club Burnley. On 2 September, Ricketts managed to fill the goalkeeper void, bringing in Montenegro international Matija Sarkic on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/09/02/shrewsbury-town-sign-wolves-goalkeeper-matija-sarkic-on-loan/ |title=Shrewsbury Town sign Wolves goalkeeper Matija Sarkic on loan |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star |date=2 September 2020|access-date=3 September 2020}}
Ricketts and the team had a steady but rocky start to the 2020–21 League One season, drawing 3 and losing 1 of their first 4 played games. Ricketts' first win of the season came on 17 October when a stoppage time winner from new signing Leon Clarke confirmed a 1–0 win at AFC Wimbledon.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54488961 |title=AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Shrewsbury Town |date=2020-10-17 |work=BBC Sport}} Four consecutive defeats then followed, including a 5–1 defeat away at Peterborough United on 31 October.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54671149 |title=Peterborough United 5-1 Shrewsbury Town |date=2020-10-31 |work=BBC Sport}} Two more draws and another defeat later and the club found themselves in the relegation zone and only off the bottom of the table on goal difference. A 2–2 draw at Milton Keynes Dons, in which The Shrews led 2–0, on 24 November {{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54969205 |title=Milton Keynes Dons 2-2 Shrewsbury Town |date=2020-11-24 |work=BBC Sport}} turned out to be the last straw as Ricketts and assistant manager Dean Whitehead were relieved of their duties a day later on 25 November. The club sat 23rd in League One after 13 league games, gaining only 9 points from a possible 39.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/11/25/sam-ricketts-sacked-by-shrewsbury-town/ |title=Sam Ricketts sacked by Shrewsbury Town |date=25 November 2020 |last=Cox |first=Lewis |work=Shropshire Star Sport|access-date=25 November 2020}}
Personal life
After leaving Shrewsbury Town in November 2020, Ricketts opened a builder's merchant.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19717781.ex-bolton-wanderers-star-sam-ricketts-allardyce-legends-game-next-step/ The Bolton News: "Ex-Bolton Wanderers star Sam Ricketts on Allardyce, Legends game and next step"]
Career statistics
=Club=
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="col"|Division
!scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4"|Oxford United
|2000–01{{soccerbase season|18968|2000|access-date=12 January 2016}} | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy|name=statsJPT}} | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2001–02{{soccerbase season|18968|2001|access-date=12 January 2016}} | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsJPT}} | 0 | 31 | 1 |
| 2002–03{{soccerbase season|18968|2002|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Third Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 1 | |
| Nuneaton Borough (loan) | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Telford United
|2003–04{{soccerbase season|18968|2003|access-date=12 January 2016}} |Football Conference | 41 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=statsJPT}}{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy|name=statsFAT}} | 1 | 51 | 6 |
| rowspan="3"|Swansea City
|2004–05{{soccerbase season|18968|2004|access-date=12 January 2016}} | 42 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsJPT}} | 1 | 50 | 1 |
| 2005–06{{soccerbase season|18968|2005|access-date=12 January 2016}} | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9{{efn|name=statsJPT}}{{efn|Appearances in 2006 Football League play-offs}} | 1 | 55 | 2 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!86 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 105 | 3 | |
| rowspan="4"|Hull City
|2006–07{{soccerbase season|18968|2006|access-date=12 January 2016}} | 40 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 1 |
| 2007–08{{soccerbase season|18968|2007|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in 2008 Football League play-offs}} | 0 | 49 | 0 |
| 2008–09{{soccerbase season|18968|2008|access-date=13 December 2018}} | 29 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!113 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 129 | 1 | |
| rowspan="5"|Bolton Wanderers
|2009–10{{soccerbase season|18968|2009|access-date=12 January 2016}} |Premier League | 27 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2010–11{{soccerbase season|18968|2010|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Premier League | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|18968|2011|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Premier League | 20 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2012–13{{soccerbase season|18968|2012|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!96 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3"|Wolverhampton Wanderers
|2013–14{{soccerbase season|18968|2013|access-date=12 January 2016}} |League One | 44 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| 2014–15{{soccerbase season|18968|2014|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 2 | |
| Swindon Town (loan)
|League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in 2015 Football League play-offs}} | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| rowspan="3"|Coventry City
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|18968|2015|access-date=12 January 2016}} |League One | 43 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsJPT}} | 0 | 46 | 1 |
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|18968|2016|access-date=8 August 2016}}
|League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!46 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 1 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!495 | 12 | 34 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 24 | 4 | 569 | 18 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | Wales{{cite web |title=Sam Ricketts |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=25371 |website=eu-football.info |access-date=13 March 2019}} | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 11 | 0 |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| Total||52||0 |
=Managerial=
{{updated|match played 24 November 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=4772 |title=Managers: Sam Ricketts |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=27 May 2019}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure | ||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|P|Matches played}} | {{abbr|W|Matches won}} | {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}} | {{abbr|L|Matches lost}} | {{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}} |
| align=left|Wrexham{{efn|Soccerbase's total includes the FA Cup match against Newport County that Wrexham told him to stay away from.}}
|align=left|2 May 2018 |align=left|3 December 2018 {{WDL|23|13|7|3|decimals=1}} | ||||
| align=left|Shrewsbury Town
|align=left|3 December 2018 |align=left|25 November 2020 {{WDL|96|28|34|34|decimals=1}} | ||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|119|41|41|37|decimals=1}} |
{{notelist}}
Honours
=As a player=
Swansea City
- Football League Two third-place promotion: 2004–05{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006 |year=2005 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-1384-6 |pages=49, 376–377}}
- Football League Trophy: 2005–06{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4865270.stm |title=Carlisle 1–2 Swansea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2006 |access-date=26 January 2018}}
Hull City
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Football League One: 2013–14{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 |year=2014 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-1251-1 |pages=386–387}}
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2004–05 League Two,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4475213.stm |title=Sunderland/Wigan dominate line-up |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2005 |access-date=23 May 2018}} 2013–14 League One{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27180793 |title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=23 May 2018}}
=As a manager=
Individual
- National League Manager of the Month: October 2018{{cite web |title=Sam Secures The Top Manager Award As Wrexham Power On |url=http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/sam-secures-the-top-manager-award-as-wrexham-power-53836 |publisher=Vanarama National League |author=Sam Elliott |access-date=9 November 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121018230118/http://faw.org.uk/PlayerDisplay.ink?skip=0&squadno=43404&season=12/13&seasonl=2012/2013&Playertype=p Wales profile]}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2004–05 Football League Two PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2013–14 Football League One PFA Team of the Year}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{Wrexham A.F.C. managers}}
{{Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ricketts, Sam}}
Category:Footballers from Aylesbury
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Wales men's international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Category:Telford United F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Hull City A.F.C. players
Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Coventry City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English football managers
Category:Welsh football managers
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. managers
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers
Category:National League (English football) managers
Category:English Football League managers