Mark Ridgers

Mark Ridgers (born 9 August 1990)^[1] is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper who plays for Highland League side Buckie Thistle. He has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, Ross County, St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Orlando City B in the United Soccer League and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, 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
Date of birth	(1990-08-09) 9 August 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Inverness, Scotland
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Buckie Thistle
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)
2017–2024	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	214	(0)
2024–	Buckie Thistle	0	(0)
International career‡
2009–2010	Scotland U19
2010–2012	Scotland U21	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:23, 10 July 2024 (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]

Buckie Thistle

Ridgers signed for Buckie Thistle in July 2024.^[42]

International career

Ridgers has been called up to be part of the Scotland under-19^[43] and Scotland under-21 squads.^[44] 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.^[45] He made his under-21 international debut in a 2–1 victory against the Netherlands.^[46] Ridgers was at fault for the Netherlands goal, although there was some doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the goalline.^[46] He continued in goal for their next qualifier against the Netherlands on 29 February, keeping a clean sheet.^[47]

Personal life

Ridgers was born in Inverness. He is the brother of fellow footballers Ally^[48] and William Ridgers.^[49]

Career statistics

As of 08:42, 29 July 2022 (UTC) ^[15][50]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ross County	2006–07[51]	Scottish First Division	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Heart of Midlothian	2007–08	Scottish Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2008–09		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2009–10		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2010–11		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2011–12		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	2012–13		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2013–14	Scottish Premiership	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	Hearts Total		3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
East Fife (loan)	2009–10	Scottish Second Division	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Airdrie United (loan)	2010–11	Scottish Second Division	34	0	4	0	2	0	1	0	41	0
East Fife (loan)	2011–12	Scottish Second Division	13	0	0	0	3	0	1	0	17	0
St Mirren	2014–15	Scottish Premiership	23	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	25	0
	2015–16	Scottish Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
	St Mirren Total		25	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	28	0
Kilmarnock (loan)	2015–16	Scottish Premiership	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Orlando City B	2016	United Soccer League	28	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	0
Partick Thistle	2016–17	Scottish Premiership	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2017–18	Scottish Championship	34	0	1	0	4	0	2	0	41	0
	2018–19		24	0	6	0	4	0	1	0	35	0
	2019–20		27	0	3	0	4	0	2	0	36	0
	2020–21		27	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	31	0
	2021–22		29	0	2	0	3	0	6	0	40	0
	2022–23		0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	3	0
	Inverness Total		141	0	14	0	20	0	11	0	186	0
Total			196	0	16	0	22	0	12	0	246	0

Honours

Heart of Midlothian

Heart of Midlothian

• Scottish Cup: 2011–12

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2017–18, 2019–20
• Scottish Cup Runner Up: 2023

References

1. "Mark Ridgers". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. 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. 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.^{[permanent dead link]}
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. "Orlando Adds Ribeiro, Ridgers to Squad - United Soccer League". Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
36. "Orlando City B Announces Roster Moves Following Inaugural USL Season". Orlando City SC. 2 November 2016.
37. "Goalkeeping transfer update". Partick Thistle F.C. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
38. "Mark Ridgers". Partick Thistle F.C.
39. McLaughlin, Christ (18 May 2017). "Partick Thistle 0-5 Celtic". BBC Sport.
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. "Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper agrees deal to join Highland League club". The Inverness Courier. The Inverness Courier. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
43. "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.
44. "Mark Ridgers ready for Scotland under-21 debut". Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
45. "Mark Ridgers ready to take Scotland Under-21 place". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
46. Lindsay, Clive (14 November 2011). "Netherlands U21 1–2 Scotland U21". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
47. "Scotland U21 0–0 Netherlands U21". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
48. "Ridgers takes time to settle his future". northern-scot.co.uk. The Northern Scot. 18 January 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
49. "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.
50. "Marc Ridgers Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
51. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (2007). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–08. Headline. pp. 773–775. ISBN 978-0755316649.

External links

• Mark Ridgers at Soccerbase