Ex-Premier League bad boy – who was convicted of armed robbery at 15 and has been in jail twice – joins eighth tier side in bid to continue football career

Former Newcastle bad boy Nile Ranger has joined eighth tier side Wellingborough Town as the forward looks to continue his football career.

Ranger, now 34, will represent the 10th club of his career with the move to the Northern Premier League Division One side confirmed just days after he left Kettering Town.

The forward had showed promise as a youngster and played more than 50 times for the Magpies but his career was blighted by off-the-pitch issues. 

He was jailed in 2017 after being convicted of online banking fraud, was put in a young offenders institute for armed robbery as a teenager and struggled with gambling addiction.

But Ranger was able to get his football back on track having matured in his thirties and became a fan favourite at Kettering, netting a winner in the FA Cup^[1] against Northampton Town that was broadcast on the BBC^[2].

Ranger’s departure from Kettering was announced earlier this week, with Wellingborough Town swiftly confirming the signing of the veteran forward.

Nile Ranger has joined Wellingborough Town, just days after leaving Kettering Town

‘Wellingborough Town are pleased to announce the signing of forward Nile Ranger,’ a statement read.

‘Most recently, Ranger was the league’s joint top goal scorer for Kettering Town with 6 goals in ten games this season. He scored scored 18 goals across his 50 total appearances for The Poppies. 

‘During Nile’s career, he made 62 appearances for Newcastle United^[5], with 25 coming in their EFL Championship^[6] winning season in 09-10. He went on to make 26 appearances for them in the Premier League^[7] before leaving the club in 2013. 

‘The forward has featured across the football league pyramid for the likes of Blackpool^[8], Swindon Town and Southend United. 

‘Everyone at the club is excited to have Nile on-board and are looking forward to utilising his experience and pedigree.’

Ranger responded to the post with the message ‘Let’s AV SOME FUN’.

Wellingborough Town are currently 18th in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands table, just one place above the relegation zone.

Ranger had appeared to have been unhappy about his exit from Kettering after sharing messages from fans on X that hinted at trouble behind the scenes and suggesting his departure was not mutual. 

Ranger shared messages on X suggesting he had not wanted to leave the club 

He shared one post on X that read: ‘I’m sorry whatever has happened at the club has taken place @NilePowerRanger.

‘A lot of questions to be answered. You will always be a Kettering Legend and a hero to my kids. All the best for whatever you do next.’

There was another repost that read: ‘From [what] I hear, nothing mutual about @NilePowerRanger leaving. He’s been brilliant on and off the pitch.’

Ranger added in a further post: ‘To all Kettering fans because u were AMAZING. Sad the rollercoaster has come to an end but we defo had a BLAST created wonderful memories.. I’ll be waiting for my statue outside the stadium when I visit again but all jokes aside was fun..

‘The chairman George a great guy!! The players were a great bunch of lads.. the director with 3 under 16 Barbados caps.. not so sure but we move!

‘Wish nothing but the best for Kettering this season, I’ll be watching, POWER RANGER.’

A Kettering statement read: ‘The Club wishes Nile every success in his playing career and Nile knows he has a family that would always welcome him back to Latimer Park. 

Owner George Akhtar went on: ‘I want to personally thank Nile Ranger for the memories he has left the Kettering Town faithful.

Ranger was on the books at Newcastle but has fallen down the leagues as his career has gone on

Ranger played for Southend while wearing an ankle tag having been released from prison

‘His commitment to the Club, both on and off the pitch, is a testament to him. You will be missed.’

Ranger’s career has followed a rocky path and he since explained that his early conviction for armed robbery was at a time when he was running with a gang in north London.

‘It all starts with just messing around with friends and jokes that go too far’, he previously explained. ‘I started running with a gang in the area. We were convicted of street robbery in Muswell Hill. There was a weapon, but we didn’t use it.

‘They were cracking down on street crime, so I got sent down. I wasn’t with a professional club at the time, and I didn’t really realise what I was risking. Jail was pretty rough, but it taught me a lot. The most important thing is that I never want to go back.

‘At Southampton (academy) I got two written warnings about my behaviour – stupid things like going out or messing around in the lodge. Then I was caught at the end of the season with kit that I’d taken. I gave them no choice and they kicked me out.

‘The change of atmosphere at Newcastle did me loads of good. I was away from the old faces, the old problems.’

Ranger banked £10,000-a-week at Newcastle early in his career and now reflects that it was too much, too soon for him. 

He said last year: ‘I would bring all my friends up to Newcastle [from London] for parties.

‘I had more money than sense. There was no discipline from me. I was living life in the fast lane. 

‘Looking back, I’ve realised the many silly decisions that led to the situations I found myself in. I messed up.’

After Ranger left Newcastle, he endured a tumultuous spell at Swindon, regularly going missing from training and not turning up. 

He scored 10 goals in 28 games for the club but had his contract terminated in 2014. Ranger then signed for Blackpool but again went AWOL, citing ‘family issues’ at the time. 

He released a contrite statement, saying: ‘I have seen two of my good friends pass away. Whilst overcoming this it has made me realise life is really short and I have really been taking things for granted. 

‘I would like to use this opportunity to thank Southampton, Newcastle, Swindon and Blackpool for giving me the chance to experience the dream of being a professional footballer. 

‘To add to this I would like to apologise to everyone at these clubs including management, players, staff and fans. I should have given more and been a better role model. 

Ranger was a key man for Kettering and scored 18 goals for the club last season 

‘I would also like to add I am sorry to my current team-mates at Blackpool for being missing for a long period of time.’

He found further controversy at Southend, his next club. When Ranger was released from prison in 2017 after 10 weeks of his eight month sentence for fraud, he was unable to play for Southend in their midweek games due to his 7pm curfew. 

When his electronic tag was removed and he could finally play games without a curfew, he scored and celebrated by taking his boot off and mimicked using it as a machine gun. 

Manager Phil Brown said Southend had ‘severed all ties’ with Ranger in 2021 after the striker failed to attend physiotherapy sessions, while the player argued that the club would not fund his travel.