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Rohan Ricketts
Rohan Ricketts
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Rohan Anthony Ricketts (born 22 December 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays for Unionville Milliken SC of League1 Ontario.

Key Information

Club career

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Arsenal

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Ricketts started out with Arsenal, with whom he won the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001.[1] He made one appearance for them, in the League Cup, against Manchester United.[2]

Tottenham Hotspur

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In 2002, he made the unusual step of joining Arsenal's rivals Tottenham Hotspur,[3] and became just the fourth player to make the switch from Arsenal to Tottenham Hotspur[4] and only the twelfth to appear for both sides since their formation.[5]

Ricketts did not play a single game in his first season, but was a first-team regular in 2003–04 and his form saw him agree a one-year contract extension with the club in December 2003.[6] Tord Grip was impressed with his ability and there was talk of him being called up to the senior England squad [citation needed], but following on from Glenn Hoddle's sacking as Tottenham manager, Ricketts found his first team opportunities limited, despite being named Player of the Month in August and September for Tottenham[citation needed]. He scored one league goal during his time at Spurs, in a 2–1 win over Aston Villa in November 2003.[7] He also scored once in the League Cup for Spurs, in a game against Coventry City.[8]

Loan spells

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The following season, under Jacques Santini and then Martin Jol, he found appearances harder to come by and had two loan spells, first at Coventry City, and then Wolverhampton Wanderers, linking up with his former manager, Glenn Hoddle. He scored once for Wolves, in a 2–1 win over Reading on 30 April 2005.[9]

Wolves & Barnsley

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In the summer of 2005 he moved to Molineux on a permanent basis. He had a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers in 2007 and was released by Wolves in May of the same year.

Ricketts signed a two-year deal with Championship side Barnsley in July 2007 but was released on 11 April 2008.[10] That same day he was signed by Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.

Toronto FC

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Rohan Ricketts scored his first two goals for Toronto FC against the Colorado Rapids on 14 June 2008. In 2008 Ricketts made 26 starts (27 total appearances) and scored four goals in the regular season; he added two more goals in the Canadian Championship.

Ricketts with Toronto FC in 2009

In 2009, Ricketts was pushed down Toronto FC's depth chart due to the arrivals of Canadian international Dwayne DeRosario and young American Sam Cronin; in June, Toronto released Ricketts, clearing the salary cap space necessary for the club to sign Canadian international Ali Gerba.[11]

Following his release from Toronto, Ricketts reportedly spurned interest from several English clubs to go on trial with Aberdeen in August 2009.[12] Ricketts reportedly impressed during his trial—in particular in Aberdeen's 1–0 win over Hull City in a preseason friendly match—but budgetary constraints reportedly complicated the potential signing, and Ricketts ultimately did not remain with the club.[13]

Later career

[edit]

In early 2010 during the winter transfer market in Europe, Ricketts signed for Hungarian club Diósgyőri VTK. He made one first-team appearance as the club were relegated from Hungary's top professional league to the NB2. In August 2010 Ricketts signed for FC Dacia Chişinău of the Moldovan National Division. He made his debut the same month in a 0–0 draw against FC Academia UTM Chişinău.He left the club three months later, claiming he had not been paid.[14]

Ricketts signed for German club SV Wilhelmshaven in January 2011, but left the club at the end of the 2010–11 season.[15] He went on trial at two English clubs, Southend United and Stevenage,[15][16][17][18][19] but did not sign for either. Instead Ricketts signed for League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers in August 2011.[20] He made his first team debut away to Dundalk on 3 September and was involved in both goals, providing the cross for the first goal and the pass to win a penalty for the second goal in a 2–1 win. Ricketts played in the UEFA Europa League in a 3–1 defeat against former club Tottenham Hotspur. He was released from Shamrock Rovers in December 2011, after not being offered a new contract.

In March 2012, Ricketts sign a one-season contract with League One side Exeter City, but left the club before the end of the season after just one substitute appearance. Ricketts signed for defending I-League champions Dempo in August 2012.[21] He announced on Twitter in January 2013 that he had resigned from Dempo, after he was suspended by the club for an outburst on Twitter.[22][23] The same month he signed for Ecuadorian team Club Deportivo Quevedo,[24] and made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against reigning champions Barcelona.[25] His contract was terminated at the end of July 2013 after making nine appearances for the club.[26]

Ricketts signed for PTT Rayong of the Thai Premier League in January 2014,[27] but his contract was terminated by mutual agreement nine months later. In January 2015 he signed for Hong Kong Premier League side Eastern Sports Club.[28] He then joined Bangladesh Premier League club Abahani Limited Dhaka in March 2016,[29] returned to England to play for Leatherhead in November 2016,[30] before leaving the club a month later .[31]

Ahead of the 2018 League1 Ontario season, it was announced that Ricketts had returned to Canada to play for Master's Futbol.[32] He did not return for the 2019 season.

International career

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Ricketts was capped by England at under-18 and under-20 level.

Personal life

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During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he co-hosted 'The Hardcore Footy Show: South Africa 2010' with Brendan Dunlop, on Hardcore Sports Radio, Sirius 98 and was a regular on TSN for football. On 24 August 2010, Rohan joined the team of Canada's largest sportsradio network, CJCL, (Fan 590). He is currently a sports columnist with them. He also signed to write for online magazine, the Sabotage Times, on 29 August. [33][34]

In May 2011, Ricketts launched his own (now defunct) online-only magazine, Column 10. The magazine, which includes a host of features on sport, music, film, fashion and more, has included exclusive interviews with football journalist Henry Winter, official FIFA Agent Charles Collymore and DJ Spoony. The magazine closed in 2015.[citation needed]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played on 21 May 2015[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2001–02[36] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2002–03[37] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04[38] Premier League 24 1 0 0 4 1 28 2
2004–05[39] Premier League 6 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 0
Total 30 1 0 0 6 1 0 0 36 2
Coventry City (loan) 2004–05[39] Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2004–05[39] Championship 7 1 0 0 0 0 7 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2005–06[40] Championship 25 0 0 0 1 0 26 0
2006–07[41] Championship 19 0 3 0 1 0 23 0
Total 51 1 3 0 2 0 56 1
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2006–07[41] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Barnsley 2007–08[42] Championship 10 0 1 0 2 0 13 0
Toronto FC 2008[43][44] Major League Soccer 27 4 4 2 31 6
2009[43] Major League Soccer 12 0 1 0 13 0
Total 39 4 5 2 44 6
Diósgyőri VTK 2009–10[43] Nemzeti Bajnokság I 1 0 0 0 1 0
Dacia Chişinău 2010–11[43] Moldovan National Division 4 0 0 0 4 0
SV Wilhelmshaven 2010–11[43] Regionalliga Nord 12 1 0 0 12 1
Shamrock Rovers 2011[43] League of Ireland 10 2 1 0 2[a] 0 13 2
Exeter City 2011–12[43] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Dempo 2012–13[43] I-League 10 1 0 0 10 1
Deportivo Quevedo 2013[43] Ecuadorian Serie A 9 0 0 0 9 0
PTT Rayong 2014[43] Thai Premier League 7 0 0 0 7 0
Eastern AA 2014–15[43] Hong Kong Premier League 7 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 13 1
Career total 199 10 12 2 13 2 2 0 2 0 228 14
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

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Arsenal

Toronto FC

Shamrock Rovers

Eastern Sports Club

Individual

  • Canadian Championship Golden Boot: 2008 (co-winner – two goals)

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rohan Anthony Ricketts (born 22 December 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played primarily as an attacking midfielder. Ricketts began his career in the youth academy of Arsenal, where he contributed to back-to-back FA Youth Cup victories in 2000 and 2001, and made a single first-team appearance in the League Cup against Shrewsbury Town in 2001. In 2001, he transferred to rivals Tottenham Hotspur, becoming one of only four players to cross the north London divide from Arsenal to Tottenham, and went on to make 30 appearances in the Premier League, scoring one goal and providing one assist during his time there from 2001 to 2005. He also represented England at under-18, under-20, and under-21 levels, facing international opposition including France and Italy. Throughout his professional career, which spanned over 17 years across four continents and 10 countries, Ricketts featured on loan or permanently for clubs including Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, and in ; in from 2008 to 2009, where he appeared in 39 matches and scored six goals; in ; Dacia Chișinău in ; SV in ; Shamrock Rovers in Ireland; and Deportivo Quevedo in Ecuador's LigaPro. Now based in , , , Ricketts holds a A coaching and serves as director of the Rohan Ricketts Academy, focusing on youth soccer development to build fundamentals and confidence among Canadian players.

Club career

Arsenal

Rohan Ricketts, born on 22 December 1982 in , , began his professional football journey by joining 's youth academy at the age of 14 in 1997. As an attacking midfielder, Ricketts quickly established himself in 's youth setup, contributing to the team's dominance in junior competitions. He played a pivotal role in the youth squad's back-to-back victories in the , securing the title in 2000 against Aston Villa and again in 2001 against Blackburn Rovers. These successes highlighted his technical skills and vision on the pitch, helping 's young talents gain recognition during a period of strong academy development under . Ricketts earned his only first-team outing for on 5 November 2001, substituting in the second half during a 4–0 third-round win over Manchester United at . Despite this brief senior exposure, persistent limited opportunities in the competitive first-team environment prompted his departure. In 2002, he transferred to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in search of greater playing time.

Tottenham Hotspur

In July 2002, Rohan Ricketts transferred to Tottenham Hotspur from rivals on a free transfer. Ricketts did not feature in the first team during his debut 2002–03 season but broke through the following year, making his debut on 16 August 2003 in a 1–0 away defeat to Birmingham City. Over his time at Tottenham, he accumulated 30 appearances and scored 1 goal. He became a regular starter in the 2003–04 season under managers and , contributing to Tottenham's mid-table finish. His sole league goal for the club came on 23 November 2003, an equalizing strike in a 2–1 home victory over Aston Villa, where he netted in the 78th minute after entering as a substitute. Ricketts' performances earned him a one-year extension in December 2003, securing his stay at the club until 2007. This period marked his establishment in the , though he later went on loan to Coventry City and Wolverhampton Wanderers for further development.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and loans

In 2005, Ricketts joined Coventry City on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, where he made six appearances in the without scoring. Ricketts impressed during a loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2005, prompting the club to secure his services permanently in July 2005 on a free transfer following his release from , with a two-year contract and an option for a further year. Over the next two seasons, he featured in 54 matches for Wolves across all competitions, including 44 league outings in the , contributing to the team's midfield under manager before Mick McCarthy's arrival. Seeking more playing time amid reduced opportunities in the 2006–07 season, Ricketts was loaned to Queens Park Rangers in February 2007, making eight appearances in the during the latter part of the campaign. His limited involvement under McCarthy's new regime led to his release from Wolves in May 2007.

Barnsley

Following his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ricketts joined on a free transfer in July 2007, signing a two-year contract after impressing during a . In the 2007–08 Championship season, Ricketts made 10 appearances for , starting just 2 matches and accumulating 311 minutes on the pitch without scoring a . His opportunities were restricted amid competition for midfield positions within the squad. released Ricketts from his contract in April 2008 as part of manager Simon Davey's squad reshaping decisions ahead of the following season.

Toronto FC

Rohan Ricketts signed with as a on April 11, 2008, immediately after being released by earlier that day. The English midfielder quickly integrated into , making 39 appearances and scoring 6 s across the 2008 and 2009 seasons. His contributions were particularly notable in domestic competitions, where he adapted to the physical and fast-paced North American style of play, often providing creative passing and vision from midfield. In the 2008 Canadian Championship, Ricketts scored two key goals, helping secure the title with a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Montreal Impact in the final. These strikes, including the opener in the decisive match, marked his impact on the club's first major trophy and earned him recognition as the tournament's top scorer. Beyond the pitch, Ricketts engaged actively with Toronto's passionate fan base, using like to connect with supporters and participating in community initiatives, which endeared him to the club's growing soccer community. However, his time with Toronto FC ended abruptly in June 2009 when the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract, primarily due to tactical fit issues and reduced playing time under interim head coach Chris Cummins, who had taken over after John Carver's resignation. Ricketts had expressed public frustration over his bench role, which contrasted with his strong debut season as a key starter. Despite the departure, his stint highlighted a successful initial transition to MLS, contributing to the league's appeal for European talents seeking new challenges.

Later career

Following his release from in June 2009, Ricketts pursued opportunities across multiple continents, establishing himself as a footballer with short-term contracts in lower-tier leagues. His moves were often driven by the search for competitive play and , alongside a personal interest in experiencing diverse cultures through travel. In early 2010, Ricketts trialed and signed with Hungarian top-flight club Diósgyőri VTK, where he made just 1 appearance before departing mid-season. Later that summer, he joined Moldovan National Division side Dacia Chişinău on a six-month deal, appearing in 4 matches amid reported challenges with payments and playing time. Ricketts continued his peripatetic path in 2011, signing with German Regionalliga Nord club SV Wilhelmshaven, for whom he recorded 12 appearances and 1 goal in the second half of the season. He then moved to Irish Premier Division contenders Shamrock Rovers in August, contributing 10 league appearances and 2 goals during their title-winning campaign, helping secure the 2011 League of Ireland Premier Division championship. The following year, 2012, saw Ricketts briefly return to with League One side City, limited to 1 appearance off the bench. Seeking further adventure, he traveled to to join club , where he made 10 appearances and scored 1 goal before the contract ended. In 2013, Ricketts ventured to , signing with Ecuadorian Serie A club Deportivo Quevedo, for which he featured in 9 matches across the season. He returned to Asia in 2014 with outfit PTT , recording 7 appearances in a short stint. Ricketts' Asian engagements continued into 2015 when he joined side in January, making 7 appearances and scoring 1 goal en route to the league title that season. In 2016, he briefly played for in Bangladesh's top flight, scoring 1 goal in his sole appearance, before a short non-league spell with English club , where he appeared 4 times and netted 1 goal. After a hiatus from professional play, Ricketts featured for Canadian club in 2018, logging 4 appearances and 1 goal. In 2024, at age 41, he resumed semi-professional football with side Unionville Milliken SC, making 4 appearances as of July 2024 amid ongoing play in the regional third tier. This phase underscored his enduring passion for the game, blending competitive outings with coaching and media pursuits back in .

International career

Under-18 level

Rohan Ricketts began his international career with the under-18 team, earning 8 caps between 2000 and 2001 while scoring 1 goal during his tenure. His debut came in 2000, as part of a promising cohort from Arsenal's youth setup that provided a clear pathway to national youth selection. Ricketts featured prominently in the qualifiers for the European Under-18 Championship, including the 3–1 away win against on 1 2000 and the 4–0 victory over on 7 2000 in Group 5 of the preliminary round. These matches highlighted his role in England's successful qualification campaign, where the team topped their group with strong performances against weaker opponents. He was often joined by fellow academy products, such as and , underscoring the talent pipeline from the club's youth system. Ricketts also faced stronger opposition including and during his U18 tenure. In 2001, Ricketts continued to contribute at the under-18 level, appearing in competitive fixtures like the intermediary round match against Poland on 22 March 2001, which lost 0–1 at home, and a friendly against on 30 May 2001. His involvement in these games demonstrated his versatility as a and helped build experience ahead of higher youth levels.

Under-20 level

Rohan Ricketts advanced to the under-20 squad after gaining experience at the under-18 level, which provided the foundational selection pathway for higher youth internationals. During 2002, Ricketts secured four caps for the U20 team while failing to score any goals. His international debut at this level occurred on 13 March 2002 in a friendly against at the Stadium in , where triumphed 3-0 with goals from Jimmy Davis (two) and Marc Richards; Ricketts started as a central . Ricketts featured in additional friendlies and that year, including a 2-0 defeat to on 10 April 2002 in and a substitute appearance at in a 0-2 loss to on 12 December 2002 at Upton Park during the West-European Four Nations U-20 . These appearances highlighted his growing role in the squad amid his transition to Hotspur's senior setup, with his final U20 call-up coinciding with his increasing first-team involvement at the club.

Under-21 level

Ricketts was included in the under-21 squad for the 2004 Tournament but did not make any appearances.

Off the field

Personal life

Rohan Ricketts was born on 22 December 1982 in , , to immigrant parents from . He was raised in a violent and crime-ridden neighborhood, experiencing significant instability during his childhood due to his parents' tumultuous relationship. Ricketts lived primarily with his father and older brother, the latter of whom frequently encountered legal troubles, which further shaped his early environment. Football emerged as a pivotal positive influence in Ricketts' youth, serving as his first passion beyond family and providing an outlet to build friendships and hone skills amid challenging surroundings. His English upbringing, combined with Jamaican heritage through his parents, instilled a strong sense of cultural duality that informed his personal identity. Following his playing career, Ricketts relocated to , where he has been based in , , since at least 2014. He became a father to two children, including a son born in 2014. His extensive global travels, spanning 13 countries across four continents, were driven by a personal curiosity for cultural immersion, evidenced by his fluency in English and Spanish, along with working knowledge of and French, which facilitated deeper cross-cultural connections.

Media and writing career

As his playing career began to wind down in the early , Rohan Ricketts transitioned into media and writing, leveraging his experiences as a professional footballer to establish a presence in and . This shift allowed him to share insights on the while exploring broader cultural topics, marking a diversification beyond the pitch. Ricketts entered the Canadian media landscape during his time with Toronto FC, co-hosting The Hardcore Footy Show: South Africa 2010 alongside Brendan Dunlop on Hardcore Sports Radio (Sirius 98) throughout the . The program provided analysis and commentary on the tournament, drawing on Ricketts' firsthand knowledge of international football. In August 2010, Ricketts joined (Fan 590), Canada's largest sports radio network, as a sports columnist, where he contributed regular pieces on European football, (MLS), and activities. His columns offered perspectives on player life, transfers, and league developments from 2010 onward. He also provided occasional on-air opinions for the station. Ricketts extended his writing to online platforms, signing with Sabotage Times in August 2010 to pen columns on football culture, including candid discussions on topics like use among players and the realities of nomadic careers. His contributions, such as a piece alleging widespread marijuana use among young MLS talents, garnered attention for their insider viewpoint. In May 2011, Ricketts launched Column 10, an online-only lifestyle magazine that he founded and ran until 2015, when it became defunct. The publication focused on intersections of football, music, film, and culture, featuring articles, interviews, and personal essays from Ricketts and contributors, reflecting his global experiences in the sport.

Coaching and business

Ricketts holds a A coaching license and serves as director of the Rohan Ricketts Academy in , , focusing on youth soccer development to build fundamentals and confidence among Canadian players as of 2025. He is also involved in consulting and keynote speaking, drawing on his experiences as a former professional footballer.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Rohan Ricketts' club career statistics encompass appearances and goals across various professional and semi-professional leagues and cup competitions. The following table provides a breakdown by major club, aggregating data from all competitions unless otherwise noted.
ClubYearsAppearancesGoalsSource
Arsenal FC200110League Cup only
Tottenham Hotspur2002–2005362Includes Premier League (30 apps, 1 goal) and cups (6 apps, 1 goal)
Coventry City (loan)200460Championship
Wolverhampton Wanderers2005–2007561All competitions
Queens Park Rangers (loan)200780Championship
Barnsley2007–2008130Championship (10 league apps)
Toronto FC2008–2009446MLS (39 apps, 4 goals) and Canadian Championship (5 apps, 2 goals)
Diósgyőri VTK201010NB I
Later clubs (e.g., Shamrock Rovers, Exeter City, Boluspor, Abahani Limited, Master's FA)2011–2019~60~5Various lower-tier leagues and cups, including 1 app in League One (Exeter) and appearances in League of Ireland Premier Division
Unionville Milliken SC2024–40League1 Ontario
Ricketts' appearances are distributed across key competitions as follows: 30 in the (1 goal), approximately 70 in the (1 goal), 39 in (4 goals), and the remainder in cups and lower divisions. His overall club totals exceed 225 appearances and 14 goals, reflecting a career across , , and other regions.

International statistics

Rohan Ricketts earned his international caps for at youth levels while progressing through the academies of and Tottenham Hotspur. His appearances were limited to the under-18 and under-20 teams, with no progression to the senior squad. He was also named to the under-21 squad but did not earn a cap. The following table summarizes his international statistics:
LevelYearsCapsGoals
England U182000–0161
England U202001–0230
England U21200200
Total91
In total, Ricketts accumulated 9 youth international caps and 1 goal across these levels, reflecting his early promise but ultimate lack of advancement to senior international football.

Honours

Club honours

During his youth career with , Ricketts was part of the team that won the in both 2000 and 2001. With , he featured in the squad that claimed the Canadian Championship in 2009. Ricketts contributed to Shamrock Rovers' success in retaining the League of Ireland Premier Division title in 2011. With , he won the Senior Shield in 2014–15.

Individual honours

Rohan Ricketts earned recognition as co-winner of the Golden Boot at the 2008 , where he scored two goals for to tie for the top scorer position. His goals came in the 1–0 win against the Impact on May 27, 2008, and in the 2–2 draw against the Whitecaps on July 9, 2008.

References

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