Mark Ridgers

Mark Ridgers (born 9 August 1990[1]) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Scottish Championship club Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, Ross County, St Mirren, Partick Thistle and Orlando City B in the United Soccer League, as well as Airdrie United, East Fife and Kilmarnock on loan. He has also represented Scotland at under-21 level.

Mark Ridgers
Ridgers playing for Orlando City B in 2016
Personal information
Full name Mark Ridgers
Date of birth (1990-08-09) 9 August 1990
Place of birth Inverness, Scotland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Number 1
Youth career
Ross County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Ross County 0 (0)
2007–2014 Heart of Midlothian 3 (0)
2009–2010 → East Fife (loan) 4 (0)
2010–2011 → Airdrie United (loan) 34 (0)
2011–2012 → East Fife (loan) 13 (0)
2014–2016 St Mirren 25 (0)
2015–2016 → Kilmarnock (loan) 0 (0)
2016 Orlando City B 27 (0)
2017 Partick Thistle 2 (0)
2017– Inverness Caledonian Thistle 91 (0)
National team‡
2009–2010 Scotland U19
2010–2012 Scotland U21 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:00, 2 April 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

Club career

Ross County

Born in Inverness, Ridgers started his career as a youth player with Ross County. On 16 December 2006, at age 15, he made his senior debut, coming on as a half time substitute in a Scottish League Cup match against Stranraer, replacing Craig Samson in a 1–0 loss.[2]

Hearts
Ridgers playing for Hearts U-20 in 2013

In May 2007,[3] he transferred to Heart of Midlothian for a £40,000 fee.[4] Whilst playing for Hearts under 19 squad Ridgers impressed manager Csaba Laszlo[5] and was promoted to the first team signing a new contract keeping him at the club until 2012.[6] In November 2009, he was sent on loan to East Fife on a monthlong loan deal to give him first team experience. Despite subsequent loans to Airdrie United and a return to East Fife he was yet to make a first team appearance for Hearts, although had been named on the bench.[6]

On his return from loan at East Fife, he was named on the bench again as a substitute against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup.[7] On 30 January 2012, he was rewarded with a new two-year contract extending his stay at the club until 2014.[8][9] On 24 March 2012, he made his senior debut for the club, coming on as a half time substitute in a Scottish Premier League match against St Johnstone, replacing Jamie MacDonald in a 2–1 loss.[10] He went on to make his first start on 5 May, against St Johnstone.[11] He was on the bench when Hearts won the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.[12]

East Fife (loan)

On 6 November 2009, Ridgers joined East Fife on a one-month emergency loan deal,[13] making his debut the following day against Peterhead.[14] In all he made five competitive appearances for them.[15]

Airdrie United (loan)

Due to lack of first team chances with him being Hearts fourth first team keeper Hearts looked to send Ridgers out on loan again,[16] joining Airdrie United on a six-month loan deal.[17] He made his debut on 24 July 2010 in the Challenge Cup against Ayr United.[18] His loan was later extended until the end of the season.[19] In all he made 38 appearances in all competitions for Airdrie. At the end of the season manager Jimmy Boyle expressed his desire for Ridgers to stay with them for another season[20] although this never materialised.

Return to East Fife (loan)

Ridgers joined East Fife for a second spell during pre-season for the 2011–12 season as a trialist.[21] Appearing against his parent club Hearts in a friendly on 5 July 2011.[22] A loan agreement was later confirmed by Hearts sending him on loan until January 2012.[23] He made his competitive debut against Montrose in the Challenge Cup on 23 July,[24] followed by his Second Division debut on 6 August against Stirling Albion.[25] A notable moment came on 20 September at Pittodrie Stadium when Ridgers saved three penalties in their League Cup win over Aberdeen.[26][27] Ridgers won the Irn-Bru Young Player of the month award for September for his performance at East Fife.[28]

In all Ridgers made 17 appearances[29] for them with his last appearance coming on 2 January 2012 against Cowdenbeath.[30]

St Mirren

On 6 June 2014, Ridgers signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.[31] After spending the early part of the season as second choice behind Marián Kello, he made his debut for the club on 22 November 2014, against Hamilton Academical.[32] Ridgers left St Mirren by mutual consent in January 2016.[33]

Kilmarnock (loan)

On 22 September 2015, Kilmarnock confirmed that they had signed Ridgers on an emergency loan deal until January 2016. This followed an injury to their regular goalkeeper, Jamie MacDonald, leaving the club without a goalkeeper for cup matches.[34]

Orlando City B

On 29 January 2016, Ridgers signed with United Soccer League side Orlando City B, the USL affiliate side of Major League Soccer's Orlando City SC.[35] He was released by the club at the end of their 2016 season.[36]

Partick Thistle

On 3 January 2017, Ridgers joined Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on a contract until the end of the 2016–17 season.[37] He was given the number 35 shirt for thistle.[38] Ridgers made his Partick Thistle debut coming on as a substitute at half time in a 5–0 defeat against Celtic.[39] He left the club in May 2017, at the end of his contract.[40]

Inverness CT

Ridgers signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in July 2017.[41]

International career

Ridgers has been called up to be part of the Scotland under-19[42] and Scotland under-21 squads.[43] Ridgers was first called up to an under 21 training camp in 2009 and the full squad in 2010 but was behind Grant Adam in terms of selection for the under-21 team, but was promoted in November 2011 when Adam was withdrawn from the squad due to an alleged sectarian offence.[44] He made his under-21 international debut in a 2–1 victory against the Netherlands.[45] Ridgers was at fault for the Netherlands goal, although there was some doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the goalline.[45] He continued in goal for their next qualifier against the Netherlands on 29 February, keeping a clean sheet.[46]

Career statistics
As of 21 March 2019 [15][47]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ross County 2006–07[48] Scottish First Division 0000100010
Heart of Midlothian 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 0000000000
2008–09 0000000000
2009–10 0000000000
2010–11 0000000000
2011–12 2000000020
2012–13 0000000000
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 1000100020
Hearts Total 3000100040
East Fife (loan) 2009–10 Scottish Second Division 4010000050
Airdrie United (loan) 2010–11 Scottish Second Division 340402010410
East Fife (loan) 2011–12 Scottish Second Division 130003010170
St Mirren 2014–15 Scottish Premiership 230200000250
2015–16 Scottish Championship 2000001030
St Mirren Total 250200010280
Kilmarnock (loan) 2015–16 Scottish Premiership 0000100010
Orlando City B 2016 United Soccer League 280000000280
Partick Thistle 2016–17 Scottish Premiership 2000000020
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2017–18 Scottish Championship 340104020410
2018–19 24 0 6 0 4 0 1 0 35 0
Inverness Total 58 0 7 0 8 0 3 0 63 0
Total 1670140160602030

Personal life

Ridgers was born in Inverness. He is the brother of fellow footballers Ally[49] and William Ridgers.[50]

References
  1. "Mark Ridgers". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  2. "Ross County 0 Gretna 1". rosscounty-mad.co.uk. Ross County Mad. 16 December 2006. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  3. "Hearts buy kid keeper from County". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  4. "Hearts youngster Ridgers wins promotion to the big time". Scotsman.com. Scotsman Publications. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  5. "Ridgers could be the next Gordon". Heart of Midlothian F.C. Heart of Midlothian F.C. 4 January 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  6. Hearts Football Club Page on Mark Ridgers Archived 5 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Hearts 1 – 0 Auchinleck Talbot". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  8. "Hearts keeper Mark Ridgers signs new two-year deal at Tynecastle". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  9. "Keeper pledges future to Hearts". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  10. "St Johnstone 2 – 1 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  11. "Hearts 2 – 0 St Johnstone: Hearts edge closer to Europe". The Scotsman. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  12. "Starting Lineups Hibernian vs Hearts". Sky Sports. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  13. "Goalkeeper Mark Ridgers has joined Irn Bru Second Division side East Fife on a month-long loan deal". Hearts News. Heart of Midlothian F.C. 6 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  14. "EAST FIFE VS. PETERHEAD 1 – 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  15. "Soccerway Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  16. "Hearts prepare to send kid gloves Mark Ridgers out on loan again". Daily Record. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  17. "Ridgers to join Airdrie United on loan". Hearts News. Heart of Midlothian F.C. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  18. "AIRDRIE UNITED VS. AYR UNITED 1 – 2". Soccerway. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  19. "Mark Ridgers loan deal extended". Airdrie United. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  20. "Hearts: Airdrie set to make second bid for Ridgers". Scotsman.com. Scotsman Publications. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  21. "Young Hearts players thriving at East Fife under club legend Robbo". Edinburgh Evening News. Scotsman Publications. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  22. "Grainger's 35-yard stunner helps to keep Fifers at Bay". Edinburgh Evening News. Scotsman Publications. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  23. "Youngsters go on loan". Hearts News. Heart of Midlothian F.C. 22 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  24. "Montrose 1 – 6 East Fife : Saturday, 23rd July 2011". Scottish Football League. 23 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  25. "Stirling Albion 1–0 East Fife". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  26. "Aberdeen 3–3 East Fife (3–4 pens)". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  27. "Ridgers has steady hands in thrilling shoot-out". Herald Scotland. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  28. "Division Two preview". Daily Record. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  29. "Games played by Mark Ridgers in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  30. "Cowdenbeath 4–0 East Fife". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  31. "Mark Ridgers is first Tommy Craig signing". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  32. Nelson, Steve (22 November 2014). "Report: Hamilton Academical 3–0 St Mirren". St Mirren F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  33. "Mark Ridgers Leaves Saints". St Mirren F.C. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  34. "Mark Ridgers: Kilmarnock sign St Mirren goalkeeper on emergency loan". BBC. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  35. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/11/02/orlando-city-b-announces-roster-moves-following-inaugural-usl-season
  37. "Goalkeeping transfer update". Partick Thistle F.C. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  38. https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-team/mark-ridgers/
  39. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879798
  40. "Partick Thistle: Sean Welsh and David Amoo among four Firhill departures". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  41. "Inverness Caledonian Thistle sign George Oakley and Mark Ridgers". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  42. "Scotland call-ups". Hearts News. Heart of Midlothian F.C. 7 April 2009. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  43. "Mark Ridgers ready for Scotland under-21 debut". Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  44. "Mark Ridgers ready to take Scotland Under-21 place". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  45. Lindsay, Clive (14 November 2011). "Netherlands U21 1–2 Scotland U21". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  46. "Scotland U21 0–0 Netherlands U21". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  47. "Marc Ridgers Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  48. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (2007). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–08. Headline. pp. 773–775. ISBN 0755316649.
  49. "Ridgers takes time to settle his future". northern-scot.co.uk. The Northern Scot. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  50. "EAST FIFE No.1 Mark Ridgers revelled in the best few weeks of his career and then revealed he never wanted to be a keeper". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
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