7th tier club Kettering Town have been flooded with notifications on their social media account after signing Nile Ranger this week.
The Poppies currently play in the Southern League Premier Central division, sitting 7th with 11 points from 7 games played (W3 D2 L2 GF12 GA6, leaving them with 11 points and two points from the playoff places.
Kettering Town tweeted on Monday: “New Signing: Nile Ranger has previously played for Newcastle Utd, Barnsley (loan), Sheffield Wednesday (loan), Swindon Town, Blackpool, Southend Utd, Spalding Utd, Boreham Wood. Nile has undoubted ability & should offer a different dynamic to the Poppies squad. Welcome Nile #KTFC”
He was named in their 2-1 victory away against St Ives Town, having a few chances at goal.
New Signing: Nile Ranger has previously played for Newcastle Utd, Barnsley (loan), Sheffield Wednesday (loan), Swindon Town, Blackpool, Southend Utd, Spalding Utd, Boreham Wood. Nile has undoubted ability & should offer a different dynamic to the Poppies squad. Welcome Nile #KTFC pic.twitter.com/fdxOCrb0KO
— Kettering Town FC (@KTFCOfficial) September 9, 2024
Just a few years ago, Nile Ranger made a plea to clubs and speaks on future plans within football, in an interview with Echo News.
The former Newcastle player has quite the bumpy past, previously being jailed in 2017 for fraud and has a lengthy charge sheet of misdemeanours, however, aimed to turn his career around with Boreham Wood.
At one time, he was tipped to be the next big thing with Newcastle. But he never realised his potential and headlines on his antics was based on his chequered legal history, rather than his performances on the pitch.
Ranger joined the Magpies in 2008 age 17, after leaving Southampton. But after playing as a regular for United for two seasons, he then went on a downward spiral that resulted in him being jailed in 2017 for fraud.
He posed with a replica gun, a failed drug test and a fine from the Football Association for making homophobic comments.
His list of indiscretions is no doubt longer than the list of clubs he has played for.
As well as Newcastle, he has also had spells with Swindon, Blackpool, Southend (twice), Spalding and had loans with the likes of Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.
Ranger’s two spells at Southend were largely marred by off-field run-ins with the law, the first stint ending in 2018 due to what the club said were “recurring disciplinary issues”.
His second ended after the club cut ties with the footballer after he failed to attend physio sessions to cure a long-standing groin complaint.
In a tell all interview with FourFourTwo back in 2020, Ranger reflected on his career and his antics.
He said: “I’m treated as the Osama bin Laden of football.
“(But) I can’t blame anyone else – it’s all been self-inflicted and I’ve had more than my fair share of chances to change.
“I know I don’t have time to waste. I hope and pray I’ll get one last chance. If I do, I’m ready to grab it with both hands.”
“I’m keeping myself ticking over ready for my next club and I know I will get one, I just need to get that hunger back,” said Ranger via Echo News two years.
“It’s there ish at the moment but when I get a chance I know I’ll get fit and really give it my all but it’s disheartening when clubs just say no.
“I’m not being arrogant but I’m better than the strikers they have at their club and they’re saying no to me because of my past and something that happened so long ago.
“They’re not looking at me now.
“I’m 31 now and I’m a dad, so I’ve grown up.
“They’re not looking at what I can do for them on the pitch they’re just thinking ‘oh same old Nile’ and looking at what happened in about 1983 or whatever it was.
“It’s the past and it’s silly because they know what I can do on the pitch and I do too.
“I’m keeping myself fit.
“I train on my own and I play football with my mates as well so I’m ready for my next chance.”
In the video above, you can check out the Rising Ballers’ recent interview with Nile Ranger, the footballer whose journey from the heights of the Premier League to the depths of prison is nothing short of extraordinary. In this raw and honest podcast episode, Nile opens up about his life both on and off the pitch, sharing stories and insights you won’t hear anywhere else.
Nile opens up about playing in the Premier League, his time behind bars and the impact it had on his career, his gambling addiction where he was spending £3,000 a day at casinos, that infamous BB gun picture, punching Andros Townsend and much more. Nile Ranger’s story is a testament to the highs and lows of professional sports and the resilience needed to overcome personal demons. Whether you’re a football fan or someone interested in stories of redemption, this interview is a must-watch.
As mentioned, the 7th tier club flooded with notifications on social media after signing Nile Ranger…
@EJTaylor99: he heard your abbreviation on the scoreboard was “KET” and couldn’t wait to get involved!
@deadmanonleave1: Seems a quiet sort who keeps off the radar.
@LeeHertsCooke: Decent signing if he stays out of trouble……
@bigcbeat: Along with a few other things
@SW18_67FC: If he stays out of trouble he’s a good player. Could easily have had a better career if he chose better life options!
@BleckellP: More clubs than Tiger Woods but I’m sure he will be an asset…
@SpezialSSLE4: Jesus Lavs and Chez go from signing Tom Hilton to Nile Ranger in a matter of a couple of years. Utter scenes
@andre_denn: I’ll give it a month… MAX….
@bibster541: I hope he turns up on time 🤔
@GaryMurdoch75:
Off the field issues.
Gone in 2 months.
@CanterburyOwl: Changed man 🤣
@Adrian357Adrian: More clubs than Tiger Woods. A wasted talent
@Nat038Smith: are you mad?!
@FerrersLT: 😂😂😂 that’ll go well
@ShaunThomps0n: Mad
@RonChuck24: Offering a different dynamic is quite the understatement
@tommygirlinnit: Defences will be terrified alright
@NLUltraMidlands: Jesus! Some talent! But loves a drama!
@DesOnlyWon: Good luck Nile Ranger! Hope you smash it 👍🏿
@vanboy59: Poor attitude
@simonhardy07: My thoughts are with you during this difficult time, why would you want him in your team? The man is a disgrace
@sillylittledrea: He’s kicked on…
@gazzascott70: Won’t last 5 games
@RedLeics: Good luck 😬 I’m sure it’s tenth time lucky finding the club to keep him on the straight and narrow…
@LizardMhan: More arrests than professional goals
@joethumb42: Dear lord
@JDT147: Oh dear. I see trouble ahead
@nerdphonic: And the award for today’s most Football Manager signing goes to…
@renny_overton: Because this will end well…
@richthorndike: Say what!!! 👀
@WHUFCallum_: Wow that is box office. Unreal
@SGPoltergeist: this brudda still pretending he wants to play football is hilarious
@JOGOBONlTO: he could have been a #Barclaysman
Got quite the CV pic.twitter.com/IoWIV9NsQ2
— Ornet (@TheOrnett) September 9, 2024
Nile Ranger still managing to find a new club after a two year spell out the game, despite all the controversy linked to his name. https://t.co/gE9rgEq0ve pic.twitter.com/6hYJ8PjANL
— London Shrimper (@londonshrimper) September 10, 2024
https://t.co/hTSewpEjsg pic.twitter.com/9iIlmmkWZh
— You Yeltz! (@YouYeltz) September 9, 2024
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