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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
[edit]Arsenal
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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.

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
[edit]Personal life
[edit]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]
| 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 | ||
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
Honours
[edit]Arsenal
- FA Youth Cup: 2000, 2001
Toronto FC
Shamrock Rovers
Eastern Sports Club
Individual
- Canadian Championship Golden Boot: 2008 (co-winner – two goals)
References
[edit]- ^ "Rohan Ricketts – Arsenal Player Database". arsenal.com. Arsenal. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Arsenal win battle of the reserves". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 November 2001. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Spurs sign Arsenal midfielder". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 July 2002. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Spurs v Arsenal facts". mehstg. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "The Classic: Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur". FIFA. 29 November 2006. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Ricketts extends Spurs deal". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 December 2003. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ Rowbottom, Mike (24 November 2003). "Keane takes advantage of Villa's shortcomings". The Independent. London. Retrieved 25 August 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Coventry 0–3 Spurs". BBC. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ "Reading 1–2 Wolves". BBC. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ "RICKETTS DEPARTS". barnsleyfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008.
- ^ "Toronto FC release Ricketts". CBC.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 June 2009.
- ^ "I'll reject Championship for Aberdeen FC". Evening Express. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Latest: Ex-Toronto man Ricketts edges closer to Aberdeen move; West Ham United and Manchester United old boy in South Africa". Les Rosbifs. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 16 August 2009.
- ^ "Ricketts: 'I don't want to play in the Championship – I'm a football purist'". talksport.co.uk. 10 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Rohan Ricketts 'hopeful' over Southend United deal". BBC Sport. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Southend boss Sturrock considers Ricketts & Leonard deals". BBC Sport. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Rohan Ricketts wants 'fair' Southend United deal". BBC Sport. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Rohan Ricketts open to Stevenage chance". BBC Sport. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ^ "Stevenage 0–1 Arsenal XI". Stevenage F.C. 23 July 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
- ^ "Ricketts & Paterson sign for Rovers". RTÉ Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ "English striker Rohan Ricketts signs for Dempo SC". Zeenews.india.com. 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Ricketts suspended after Twitter outburst |". Demposportsclub.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2013.
- ^ "Rohan Ricketts (RohanRicketts) on Twitter". Twitter.com.
- ^ "Ricketts, de la Liga Premier al Quevedo". www.eluniverso.com. 6 January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013.
- ^ "Ricketts makes debut". Twitter. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- ^ "CONFIRMED: Former Spurs man Rohan Ricketts to leave Ecuador". lesrosbifs.org/. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ "ปตท.เซ็น ทีมชาติเฮติ กับ ริกเกต ก่อนตลาดแข้งนอกปิดเที่ยงคืน". smmonline.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "新加盟球員". eastern-sportsclub.com (in Chinese). Eastern Sports Club. 8 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "First English League player to play in Bangladesh!". observerbd.com. The Daily Observer. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ "Squad News ahead of FA Trophy tie vs Chesham United". leatherheadfootballclub.co.uk. Leatherhead F.C. 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ "Squad News Update". leatherheadfootballclub.co.uk. Leathered F.C. 9 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ "League 1 Ontario 2018 Preview". Northern Starting Eleven. 27 April 2018. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "50 on Flickr – Photo Sharing!". Flickr.com. 24 June 2008.
- ^ "Ricketts". Archived from the original on 21 May 2011.
- ^ "R.Ricketts". uk.soccerway.com/. Soccerway. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Rohan Ricketts in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "MLS profile". MLS. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
External links
[edit]Rohan Ricketts
View on GrokipediaClub career
Arsenal
Rohan Ricketts, born on 22 December 1982 in Clapham, England, began his professional football journey by joining Arsenal's youth academy at the age of 14 in 1997.[8][9] As an attacking midfielder, Ricketts quickly established himself in Arsenal'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 FA Youth Cup, 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 Arsenal's young talents gain recognition during a period of strong academy development under Arsène Wenger.[3] Ricketts earned his only first-team outing for Arsenal on 5 November 2001, substituting in the second half during a 4–0 League Cup third-round win over Manchester United at Highbury. 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.[3][10]Tottenham Hotspur
In July 2002, Rohan Ricketts transferred to Tottenham Hotspur from rivals Arsenal on a free transfer.[11][12] Ricketts did not feature in the first team during his debut 2002–03 season but broke through the following year, making his Premier League debut on 16 August 2003 in a 1–0 away defeat to Birmingham City.[13] Over his time at Tottenham, he accumulated 30 Premier League appearances and scored 1 goal. He became a regular starter in the 2003–04 Premier League season under managers Jacques Santini and Martin Jol, contributing to Tottenham's mid-table finish.[14] 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.[15][16] Ricketts' performances earned him a one-year contract extension in December 2003, securing his stay at the club until 2007.[17] This period marked his establishment in the Premier League, though he later went on loan to Coventry City and Wolverhampton Wanderers for further development.[18]Wolverhampton Wanderers and loans
In January 2005, Ricketts joined Coventry City on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, where he made six appearances in the Championship without scoring.[19] 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 Tottenham, with a two-year contract and an option for a further year.[20] Over the next two seasons, he featured in 54 matches for Wolves across all competitions, including 44 league outings in the Championship, contributing to the team's midfield under manager Glenn Hoddle before Mick McCarthy's arrival.[21] 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 Championship during the latter part of the campaign.[22] His limited involvement under McCarthy's new regime led to his release from Wolves in May 2007.[23]Barnsley
Following his release from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ricketts joined Barnsley on a free transfer in July 2007, signing a two-year contract after impressing during a trial.[24] In the 2007–08 Championship season, Ricketts made 10 appearances for Barnsley, starting just 2 matches and accumulating 311 minutes on the pitch without scoring a goal.[25] His opportunities were restricted amid competition for midfield positions within the squad. Barnsley 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 Toronto FC as a free agent on April 11, 2008, immediately after being released by Barnsley earlier that day.[26][27] The English midfielder quickly integrated into Major League Soccer, making 39 appearances and scoring 6 goals across the 2008 and 2009 seasons.[28] 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.[29] In the 2008 Canadian Championship, Ricketts scored two key goals, helping Toronto FC secure the title with a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Montreal Impact in the final.[30][31] 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.[30] Beyond the pitch, Ricketts engaged actively with Toronto's passionate fan base, using social media like Twitter to connect with supporters and participating in community initiatives, which endeared him to the club's growing soccer community.[32][33] 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.[32][28] Ricketts had expressed public frustration over his bench role, which contrasted with his strong debut season as a key starter.[29] Despite the departure, his stint highlighted a successful initial transition to MLS, contributing to the league's appeal for European talents seeking new challenges.[34]Later career
Following his release from Toronto FC in June 2009, Ricketts pursued opportunities across multiple continents, establishing himself as a journeyman footballer with short-term contracts in lower-tier leagues. His moves were often driven by the search for competitive play and financial stability, alongside a personal interest in experiencing diverse cultures through travel.[35][36] In early 2010, Ricketts trialed and signed with Hungarian top-flight club Diósgyőri VTK, where he made just 1 appearance before departing mid-season.[37] 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.[38] 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.[39] 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.[40][41] The following year, 2012, saw Ricketts briefly return to England with League One side Exeter City, limited to 1 appearance off the bench.[39] Seeking further adventure, he traveled to India to join I-League club Dempo SC, where he made 10 appearances and scored 1 goal before the contract ended.[42] In 2013, Ricketts ventured to South America, signing with Ecuadorian Serie A club Deportivo Quevedo, for which he featured in 9 matches across the season.[37] He returned to Asia in 2014 with Thai League 1 outfit PTT Rayong, recording 7 appearances in a short stint.[39] Ricketts' Asian engagements continued into 2015 when he joined Hong Kong Premier League side Eastern Sports Club in January, making 7 appearances and scoring 1 goal en route to the league title that season.[43] In 2016, he briefly played for Abahani Limited Dhaka in Bangladesh's top flight, scoring 1 goal in his sole appearance, before a short non-league spell with English Isthmian League club Leatherhead, where he appeared 4 times and netted 1 goal.[39][36] After a hiatus from professional play, Ricketts featured for Canadian club Master's FA in 2018, logging 4 appearances and 1 goal.[39] In 2024, at age 41, he resumed semi-professional football with League1 Ontario side Unionville Milliken SC, making 4 appearances as of July 2024 amid ongoing play in the regional third tier.[44] This phase underscored his enduring passion for the game, blending competitive outings with coaching and media pursuits back in Canada.[45]International career
Under-18 level
Rohan Ricketts began his international career with the England under-18 team, earning 8 caps between 2000 and 2001 while scoring 1 goal during his tenure.[46] 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.[3] Ricketts featured prominently in the qualifiers for the UEFA European Under-18 Championship, including the 3–1 away win against Israel on 1 September 2000 and the 4–0 victory over Andorra on 7 October 2000 in Group 5 of the preliminary round.[46] 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 Arsenal academy products, such as Jermaine Pennant and Justin Hoyte, underscoring the talent pipeline from the club's youth system.[4] Ricketts also faced stronger opposition including France and Italy during his U18 tenure.[5] 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 England lost 0–1 at home, and a friendly against Switzerland on 30 May 2001.[47][48] His involvement in these games demonstrated his versatility as a midfielder and helped build experience ahead of higher youth levels.[49]Under-20 level
Rohan Ricketts advanced to the England 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 England U20 team while failing to score any goals. His international debut at this level occurred on 13 March 2002 in a friendly against Finland at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, where England triumphed 3-0 with goals from Jimmy Davis (two) and Marc Richards; Ricketts started as a central midfielder.[50] Ricketts featured in additional friendlies and tournament matches that year, including a 2-0 defeat to Portugal on 10 April 2002 in Amadora and a substitute appearance at halftime in a 0-2 loss to Switzerland on 12 December 2002 at Upton Park during the West-European Four Nations U-20 tournament.[51][52][53] These appearances highlighted his growing role in the squad amid his transition to Tottenham 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 England under-21 squad for the 2004 Toulon Tournament but did not make any appearances.[54]Off the field
Personal life
Rohan Ricketts was born on 22 December 1982 in Clapham, South London, to immigrant parents from Kingston, Jamaica.[55] He was raised in a violent and crime-ridden neighborhood, experiencing significant instability during his childhood due to his parents' tumultuous relationship.[55] Ricketts lived primarily with his father and older brother, the latter of whom frequently encountered legal troubles, which further shaped his early environment.[55] 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.[55] His English upbringing, combined with Jamaican heritage through his parents, instilled a strong sense of cultural duality that informed his personal identity.[55] Following his playing career, Ricketts relocated to Canada, where he has been based in Vaughan, Ontario, since at least 2014. He became a father to two children, including a son born in 2014.[56] 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 Portuguese and French, which facilitated deeper cross-cultural connections.[55]Media and writing career
As his playing career began to wind down in the early 2010s, Rohan Ricketts transitioned into media and writing, leveraging his experiences as a professional footballer to establish a presence in broadcasting and journalism. This shift allowed him to share insights on the sport while exploring broader cultural topics, marking a diversification beyond the pitch.[57][58] 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 2010 FIFA World Cup. The program provided analysis and commentary on the tournament, drawing on Ricketts' firsthand knowledge of international football.[57][59] In August 2010, Ricketts joined CJCL (Fan 590), Canada's largest sports radio network, as a sports columnist, where he contributed regular pieces on European football, Major League Soccer (MLS), and Toronto FC 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.[57][60] 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 drug use among players and the realities of nomadic careers. His contributions, such as a 2011 piece alleging widespread marijuana use among young MLS talents, garnered attention for their insider viewpoint.[61][59] 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.[58][49][62]Coaching and business
Ricketts holds a UEFA A coaching license and serves as director of the Rohan Ricketts Academy in Vaughan, Ontario, focusing on youth soccer development to build fundamentals and confidence among Canadian players as of 2025.[5] He is also involved in business consulting and keynote speaking, drawing on his experiences as a former professional footballer.[57][63]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.| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal FC | 2001 | 1 | 0 | League Cup only [3] |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2002–2005 | 36 | 2 | Includes Premier League (30 apps, 1 goal) and cups (6 apps, 1 goal) [39] |
| Coventry City (loan) | 2004 | 6 | 0 | Championship [39] |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2005–2007 | 56 | 1 | All competitions [39] |
| Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 2007 | 8 | 0 | Championship [39] |
| Barnsley | 2007–2008 | 13 | 0 | Championship (10 league apps) [25] [39] |
| Toronto FC | 2008–2009 | 44 | 6 | MLS (39 apps, 4 goals) and Canadian Championship (5 apps, 2 goals) [25] [39] |
| Diósgyőri VTK | 2010 | 1 | 0 | NB I [25] |
| Later clubs (e.g., Shamrock Rovers, Exeter City, Boluspor, Abahani Limited, Master's FA) | 2011–2019 | ~60 | ~5 | Various lower-tier leagues and cups, including 1 app in League One (Exeter) and appearances in League of Ireland Premier Division [39] [25] |
| Unionville Milliken SC | 2024– | 4 | 0 | League1 Ontario [45] |
International statistics
Rohan Ricketts earned his international caps for England at youth levels while progressing through the academies of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.[65] His appearances were limited to the under-18 and under-20 teams, with no progression to the senior England squad. He was also named to the under-21 squad but did not earn a cap.[65][51][54] The following table summarizes his international statistics:| Level | Years | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England U18 | 2000–01 | 6 | 1 |
| England U20 | 2001–02 | 3 | 0 |
| England U21 | 2002 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 1 |
