Former Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger has made a return to football, signing with Isthmian League side Kettering Town.
The 33-year-old forward had been without a club since departing Boreham Wood in 2022 but has now found a new opportunity after spending time training with National League club Barnet during the summer. He comes with plenty of experience, having turned out for Newcastle United, Swindon Town and Southend United, among others.
Kettering Town confirmed the signing on their official website, stating: “Richard Lavery has added to his squad with the experienced signing of striker Nile Ranger. Nile has previously played for Newcastle United, Barnsley (loan), Sheffield Wednesday (loan), Swindon Town, Blackpool, Southend United, Spalding United, Boreham Wood.”
The club acknowledged Ranger’s experience across multiple levels of English football, having played in the Premier League, Championship, and lower leagues, as well as a brief stint in the Northern Premier Division One South/East. “Nile has undoubted ability and should offer a different dynamic to the Poppies squad,” the statement continued. “We would like to welcome Nile to Latimer Park and hope he has a successful time with the club.”
Ranger will be available for selection immediately and has been included in the squad to face St Ives Town.
Kettering Town currently play in the Isthmian League, which forms part of the seventh and eighth tiers of English football. The club has a long history, though they have struggled in recent years to climb the footballing pyramid. They were famously the first club to have shirt sponsorship, sporting ‘KT’ for Kettering Tyres on their shirts, in 1976.
Why is Nile Ranger Newsworthy?
Ranger’s football career has been marked by a mix of promise and controversy, with his off-field issues often overshadowing his on-field talent. Born in 1991, Ranger began his footballing journey with Crystal Palace and Southampton’s academies before being released by the latter for disciplinary reasons. Despite these early setbacks, he was given another opportunity when Newcastle United signed him in 2008, and it was here that he showed glimpses of his potential.
Ranger made his senior debut for Newcastle in 2009, during their Championship campaign. His performances contributed to the club’s promotion to the Premier League, and he was seen as a young striker with a bright future. However, his time at Newcastle was plagued by off-field problems, which stunted his development. Over the years, Ranger had several run-ins with the law, including arrests related to assault, criminal damage, and disorderly behaviour. Despite being given multiple chances, these issues led to his eventual release by Newcastle in 2013.
Following his departure from Newcastle, Ranger joined Swindon Town in League One. He showed flashes of his talent on the pitch, but once again, his disciplinary record off it became an issue. His time at Swindon was cut short in 2014 after the club cited his failure to adhere to discipline and professionalism.
Ranger’s next move was to Blackpool, where he signed in 2014. However, his time there was similarly turbulent. Despite a decent start to his playing career at Bloomfield Road, he missed training on several occasions without explanation, leading to frustration within the club. In 2015, Blackpool parted ways with Ranger, further tarnishing his reputation as a player who struggled to stay committed.
In 2016, Ranger was given another chance, this time by Southend United. He managed to play regularly and score goals, showing once again the talent that many had believed he could harness. Yet, even at Southend, his off-field behaviour caught up with him. In 2017, he was sentenced to prison for fraud, which led to a significant period away from the game. After his release, Southend terminated his contract in 2018, citing his inability to meet the professional standards required.
Ranger attempted several comebacks in the years that followed. In 2021, he briefly re-signed with Southend United, but his return was short-lived, and he was released once again later that year. In 2022, he joined Boreham Wood in the National League, but his time there was equally brief.
Writer’s View
From Kettering Town’s perspective, signing Nile Ranger is a bold move. He brings experience from the highest levels of English football, which could be invaluable to a club playing in the lower tiers. However, there’s always a risk when signing a player with Ranger’s off-field history. If he can stay focused and bring his best on the pitch, this could be a coup for the club.
For Ranger, this is an opportunity to rebuild his career after years of ups and downs. At 33, this may be one of his last chances to make a meaningful impact in football. A strong season with Kettering could lead to another step up, but it’s clear he’ll need to prove his commitment and professionalism both on and off the field.
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