sportskeeda
NILE RANGER found himself imprisoned, feeling ill after eating poorly cooked chicken while he watched cockroaches dart through the cracks in his cell’s walls.
The 33-year-old former Newcastle striker was sentenced to Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty to online banking fraud.
7
Credit: Jon Bond
7
Credit: Getty
7
Credit: AFP
7
Credit: Jon Bond
Two years prior, he had devised a plan to defraud a woman of over £2,000.
This represented a significant fall from grace for a once-promising player who had made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before his career took a downturn.
Ranger exchanged his time training and playing alongside stars like Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini, and Andy Carroll for a life among criminals boasting of their wrongdoings, such as stuffing a person into a car boot after maiming them!
However, this Sunday, he aims to make his comeback on the pitch with Southern Premier Kettering, hoping to bring some FA Cup excitement as they take on League Two Doncaster — having previously claimed victory against League One Northampton.
To say that Ranger is a prime example of what young athletes should NOT aspire to be is an understatement.
He shared with SunSport: “Prison was terrible, overcrowded, filled with the wrong types, and it’s no environment for someone with a clear mind.
“I managed to stay sharp compared to those individuals. I was just foolish, reckless, and undisciplined.
“There was one guy who bragged about having shoved someone in a car boot and cutting off their fingers.
“I overheard plans for murders and armed robberies that they intended to commit upon release.
“There were stabbing incidents in the showers, and drones smuggled in drugs and phones. It was a nightmare.”
Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clash
Although he was sentenced to eight months at one of Britain’s most notorious prisons at Wood Green Crown Court, Ranger was released early after 10 weeks for good behavior — albeit with an electronic tag to track him.
Ranger recounted: “Cockroaches crawled through the cracks in the cell walls and door.
“We had to stuff those gaps with towels, and every time you killed a cockroach, more appeared from the eggs they had laid. There were also mice darting around. It was revolting.
“The food was terrible. I’m convinced that chicken was not cooked properly.
“I was confined for 23 hours a day — using the one hour outside my cell for exercise and showering.
“Some of the guards were arrogant, trying to humiliate me. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t let it affect me.
“I focused on my release and kept telling myself, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months, and I’ll be back playing football again.’
“While I was at Southend, they even continued paying my wages while I was imprisoned, which helped me cope when the guards were trying to belittle me.
“I thought my sentence was severe. Others have committed far worse crimes and only received suspended sentences.
“I suspect the judge had already made up his mind over dinner with his wife the night before I was sentenced.”
Continued Missteps
Ranger admits he wasted his immense talent and acknowledges that had he been more dedicated, he could have enjoyed a successful Premier League career.
However, he repeatedly faltered — despite having multiple opportunities.
Shortly after transitioning to Southampton from Crystal Palace as a youth, he was imprisoned for 11 weeks for participating in an armed robbery.
The Saints supported him then but grew tired after he stole his entire academy team’s kit along with a box of chocolates from the kit manager.
He reflected: “I can’t explain why I took the chocolates, but we had been told that we could take some kit. The season had ended, and Southampton was getting us new ones.
“I had friends back in North London who were football fans, so I took everything — all the kits and boots. I got caught on camera, and Southampton terminated my contract.”
7
Credit: PA
Despite this, Ranger was fortunate to have been signed by Newcastle, and although he made it into the first team and helped the club achieve promotion from the Championship in 2010, he self-sabotaged due to ongoing disciplinary issues.
His gambling addiction led the club to ban him from every casino in Newcastle. He was often late or entirely absent from training.
Kevin Keegan expressed his frustration with Ranger, threatening to sell his gold tooth if he was late again, claiming his wages wouldn’t cover any fines.
Chris Hughton, who arranged a meeting with Ranger and his mother, and Alan Pardew, who sent him to train with the academy team until he improved his punctuality, both tried to salvage his career before Pardew ultimately chose to release him.
Swindon, Blackpool, and Southend (twice) offered him second chances, but none were fruitful — after a period with National League club Boreham Wood, he disappeared from the sport for 20 months before signing with Kettering in September.
As an aspiring 18-year-old at Newcastle, he was earning nearly £10,000 a week — he acknowledges he would be broke today without the support of his beloved mother, Karen.
He stated: “When I was earning what I was, I took it for granted and wasted it.
“My mum made some property investments. I should have accomplished so much more. If it weren’t for her, I’d have nothing now.
“I have some savings to get by but can’t afford a luxurious lifestyle.
“My mum has always supported me, and out of everyone I’ve let down with my actions, she’s the one I regret disappointing the most — just like the rest of my family.”
Promise of Celebration
Ranger believes he has grown since becoming a father. He has a three-year-old son, Aziel, and although he has separated from the mother, he remains committed to being a good dad.
Despite his current position playing for Kettering in the seventh tier being a far cry from his former heights, he still believes he can compete in League One or League Two.
Right now, he aims to aid the Poppies in their promotion quest this season, while also deterring young people from repeating his mistakes and inspiring criminals serving sentences to change their paths.
He stated: “Prison should serve as a place for rehabilitation. I saw none of that occurring. In fact, it can make individuals worse.
“I accept that I’m not a good role model for football — but I am a role model, one who has gone through numerous mistakes but can guide others on what NOT to do.
“I’ve already spoken to some youths at an academy. I’ve received invitations from schools and prisons. I’d like to leverage my experiences to help others.
“But for now, my focus is on relishing the latter part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup upset.”
Furthermore, Ranger has made a promise: if he scores against Doncaster, he’ll do something special on live television.
He remarked: “I have a smiley emoji tattoo on my lower lip. I plan to run to a TV camera and show off my happy lip!”
7
Credit: Jon Bond
7
Credit: Jon Bond
