Liam Ridgewell retires then joins Sunday League club

Ex-Aston Villa, Birmingham and West Brom player Liam Ridgewell retires from professional football then joins Sunday League club Sutton Rangers.

Ridgewell, who played at left back, played a total of 425 matches and scored 23 times in a career which started the 2002/03 season with the Villans, won the League Cup with Birmingham in the middle and ended in 2019/20 with Southend United.

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Football has given me the best life any little boy could wish for. There have been some massive highs and lows but now it’s time to hang up my boots and move on to the next chapter of my career. I’d like to say a massive thank you to all the coaches & managers who moulded me into the player I was. A special thank you to the late, great Graham Taylor for giving me my debut and the reason I was able to pursue my dream. To the players I had the privilege of playing next to and against, it was an honour….& I apologise for any of the stud marks ? I also want to say thanks to my agents, friends, family & fans for encouraging me throughout my career. It can be a lonely journey, a 15 year old boy just starting out, moving 150 miles from home, your support & kind words always kept me going. To my mum & dad, for always taxi-ing me around to matches. We may have been late on occasions, but we were always there. Last but not least, thank you to Francesca & our kids, for moving across “the pond” to support me, and supporting my decision. Excited for what‘s coming next. Ridgy x

A post shared by Ridgy6 (@liamridgewell) on Feb 16, 2020 at 2:44am PST

He announced his retirement via a statement on Twitter saying: “Football has given me the best life any little boy could wish for. There have been some massive highs and lows but now it’s time to hang up my boots and move on to the next chapter of my career.

“I’d like to say a massive than you to all the coaches and managers who moulded me into the player I was. A special thank you to the late, great Graham Taylor for giving me my debut and the reason I was able to pursue my dream.

“To the players I had the privilege of playing next to and against, it was an honour… and I apologise for any of the stud marks!

“I also want to say thanks to my agents, friends, family and fans for encouraging me throughout my career. It can be a lonely journey, a 15-year-old boy just starting out, moving 150 miles from home, your support and kind words always kept me going.

“To my mum and dad, for always taxiing me around to matches. We may have been late on occasions, but we were always there.

“Last but not least, to Francesca and our kids, for moving across the pond to support me and supporting my decision.

“Excited for what’s coming next. Ridgy x”

His new club, Central Warwickshire Over 35’s Football League club Sutton Rangers, who also boast ex professional Dele Adebola and Tony Capaldi, have scored 41 goals and conceded six in their last six games.

RIDGEWELL’S CAREER STATS:

–
Youth career
1999–2001 – West Ham United
2001–2002 – Aston Villa

Senior career
–
2002–2007 – Aston Villa – 79 games, (7 goals)
2002 → Bournemouth (loan) – 5 games, (0 goals)
2007–2012 – Birmingham City – 152 games, (9 goals)
2012–2014 – West Bromwich Albion – 76 games, (2 goals)
2014–2019 – Portland Timbers – 97 games, (6 goals)
2015 → Wigan Athletic (loan) – 6 games, (0 goals)
2016 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) – 5 games, (0 goals)
2019 – Hull City – 7 games, (0 goals)
2019–2020 – Southend United – 1 game, (0 goals)

National team
2002 – England U19 – 1 game, (1 goal)
2004–2005 – England U21 – 8 games (0 goals)

Check out when he and his Birmingham teammates won the 2011 League Cup against Arsenal…

 

Fans gave their reaction as Liam Ridgewell retires then joins Sunday League club Sutton Rangers, see what they had to say…

Thanks for your leadership and a Cup! pic.twitter.com/t5RCZN4D69

— Belief Beyond Reason (@ErikPtfc) February 16, 2020

Thanks for all you efforts at Roots Hall Liam. Your time at the club will never be forgotten ? arrived as a superstar, left as a legend

— James Miller (@mypantsaremessi) February 16, 2020

Congratulations on a great career and Model professional who simply lived a dream!! All the best, just hope this doesn’t mean retiring the #RidgyRoll just yet though ?

— Kyle Hannan (@BIGK_1987) February 16, 2020

Absolutely one of the good guys,all the best pal

— Pat Frost (@KitmanPat) February 16, 2020

Thanks for everything in Portland!

— Johnny Footgolf (@Jboarei) February 16, 2020

And we lay the ridgy roll to rest. Thanks Ridgy! pic.twitter.com/2l4FZuOzvm

— Brody (@EBrodes) February 16, 2020

Good luck, Liam. Be sure to come back to visit all of us in Portland. “Ridgy Rolls” always. #PTFC #alwaysatimber

— Jeff (@omelight1) February 16, 2020

You made a huge difference on the squad. Thank you for everything & best always! #rctid ??

— ?⭐️⭐️?⭐️Dendy (@wenpdx) February 16, 2020

Best to you, @liam_ridgewell! You’re always welcome in Portland. Appreciate all you did for the Timbers. You gave your all.

— Chris Barron (@tbc5150) February 16, 2020

Good luck Liam ?? pic.twitter.com/OXyi7oWrM9

— Mark ?????? (@sparkym5) February 16, 2020

After all is said and done, you were a great player down St. Andrews. Wish you luck in the future. KRO?

— Brad Cooper (@bradcoopa) February 16, 2020

@liam_ridgewell you were a joy to watch with @TimbersFC. Anchor of our? season. Best CB we’ve had. Leader, mentor. Be well, on to success in your second career. #rctid

— John Brewer, Jr. (@jsbpdx) February 17, 2020

Great Player for Blues and great servant of the Midlands , I wish you every success in your next phase of life ?

— Garry (@bluegarry) February 16, 2020

Congratulations on a great career and Model professional who simply lived a dream!! All the best, just hope this doesn’t mean retiring the #RidgyRoll just yet though ?

— Kyle Hannan (@BIGK_1987) February 16, 2020