Southern League Central side Kettering Town announced the signing of controversial figure Nile Ranger, giving him his debut against Cambridgeshire side St. Ives Town.
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
Kettering Town are a club based in Northamptonshire, plying their trade in the Southern League Central Division - Step 3 of the Non-League pyramid. The Poppies are somewhat of a non-league yo-yo club and are looking to get back to the National League North after relegation two years back.
Richard Lavery's side currently sit eighth in the league, having gained 11 points, scoring 12 goals, and conceding six in seven games. Last season they survived by nine points, so will be looking for a marked improvement.
Ranger's footballing journey began at Crystal Palace, where he joined the youth academy. However, his early career was marred by personal troubles. At just 15, he was sentenced to a youth detention centre for his involvement in armed robbery, setting a troubling tone for his future. Despite this, Ranger managed to return to football, signing with Southampton's youth team before being released for disciplinary reasons. His big break came when he joined Newcastle United in 2008.
The youngster showed promise at Newcastle but the disciplinary issues persisted. His time up North was blighted by a series of off-field incidents, including late arrivals to training and legal issues. These problems hampered his progress, and by 2013, he was released by the club.
Ranger had difficulty settling at a club after leaving Newcastle. He has stints at Blackpool, Southend United, and Swindon Town, among other clubs. During these periods, he showed flashes of talent, but his off-field issues still overshadowed his skills. His career was further ruined by legal troubles, including charges of fraud and criminal damage.
Ranger received an eight-month prison sentence in 2017 for defrauding internet banks. He was initially trusted by Southend United, but his lack of fitness and ongoing problems off the pitch ultimately resulted in his departure.
A couple of years later, he signed for Spalding United, scoring and assisting a goal in his only game for the Northern Premier League Division One South East club. He then returned to the club, injuring himself 11 minutes into his second debut. After failing to attend any of the physiotherapy sessions, Rangers was released. A brief spell at Boreham Wood followed but left the club aged 30.
Now 33, the powerful striker claimed "he could be Haaland" if he had knuckled down and was fitter. While this is probably not true, he is definitely a player (talenRt-wise) that you would have expected to be playing at a higher standard at this age. Is this the last chance saloon for Ranger?
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