WORLD SPORT

From Premier League Stardom to Prison Hell: Facing Stabbings and Cockroaches, But Now Hoping for an FA Cup Upset

NILE RANGER was locked up in prison, his stomach uneasy after consuming undercooked chicken while observing cockroaches scuttling through the gaps in his cell walls.

The former Newcastle forward, aged 33, found himself incarcerated at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after admitting to online banking fraud.


Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSport

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Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSport
Credit: Jon Bond

He was a promising Premier League star

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He was a promising Premier League star
Credit: Getty

He helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier League

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He helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier League
Credit: AFP

But things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prison

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But things spiraled out of control and saw Nile end up in prison
Credit: Jon Bond

He had planned to defraud over £2,000 from a woman two years prior.

This marked a significant decline for a once-promising player who had made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before plummeting through the leagues.

Ranger traded his time training and playing with stars like Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini, and Andy Carroll for a life among criminals bragging about their misdeeds, such as stuffing someone into a car boot after mutilating them!

However, this Sunday, he will return to the pitch with Southern Premier Kettering, aiming to conjure some FA Cup excitement as they face League Two Doncaster — having clinched victory in the previous round by defeating League One Northampton.

To claim that Ranger serves as a prime example of what young professionals should NOT aspire to be is putting it mildly.

He told SunSport: “Prison was awful, crowded with the wrong sorts, and it’s no place for someone with a clear head.

“I managed to keep my wits compared to those individuals. I was just foolish, reckless, and lacked discipline.

“There was one guy who boasted about having shoved someone in a car boot and severed their fingers.

“I heard plans for murders and armed robberies for when they got out.

“There were incidents of stabbings in the showers, and drones were flying in drugs and phones. It was a nightmare.”

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Although sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to eight months in one of Britain’s most infamous prisons, Ranger was granted early release after serving 10 weeks for good conduct — albeit with an electronic tag to monitor his whereabouts.

Ranger recounted: “Cockroaches were crawling through the cracks of the cell walls and door.

“We had to block those gaps with towels, and whenever you killed a cockroach, more would emerge from the eggs they laid. There were also mice scurrying about. It was disgusting.

“The food was dreadful. I’m pretty sure that chicken was undercooked.

“I was confined for 23 hours daily — using the one hour outside my cell for exercise and showering.

“Some of the guards were arrogant, trying to belittle me. They were envious because I was a footballer. But I didn’t let it get to me.

“I focused on getting out and kept telling myself, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and will get to play football again.’

“While I was at Southend, they continued paying my wages even while I was locked up, so that kept me going when the guards were trying to make me feel small.

“I felt my sentence was harsh. Others have done much worse and received only suspended sentences.

“I suspect the judge had made up his mind over dinner with his wife the night before he sentenced me.”

Continued Missteps

Ranger admits he fumbled his incredible talent and acknowledges he could have enjoyed a successful Premier League career had he applied himself.

However, he repeatedly messed up — despite numerous opportunities.

Shortly after joining Southampton from Crystal Palace as a youth, he was incarcerated for 11 weeks in a young offenders institution for his involvement in an armed robbery.

The Saints stood by him then but lost patience after he stole the entire kit of his academy team and a box of chocolates from the kit manager.

He reflected: “I can’t explain why I took the chocolates, but we had been told we could take some kit. The season was over, and Southampton was getting us new ones.

“I had friends back in North London who loved football, so I took everything — all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera, and Southampton terminated my contract.”


Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second round

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Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second round
Credit: PA

Nevertheless, Ranger caught a lucky break when Newcastle signed him and, despite breaking into the first team and assisting the club in achieving promotion from the Championship in 2010, he hit the self-destruct button due to repeated disciplinary issues.

His gambling addiction led the club to impose a ban on him from every casino in Newcastle. He was frequently late for training or absent altogether.

Kevin Keegan expressed his frustration with Ranger, threatening to sell his gold tooth if he was late again, arguing that 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 made efforts to save his career before the latter opted to release him.

Swindon, Blackpool, and Southend (twice) took chances on him, but none bore fruit — after a stint with National League club Boreham Wood, he fell out of the sport for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.

When he was an aspiring 18-year-old at Newcastle, he was earning nearly £10,000 a week — and he acknowledges he’d be broke today without the support of his beloved mother, Karen.

He said: “When I was earning what I was, I took it for granted and squandered it.

“My mum secured some property investments. I should have done so much more. If it weren’t for her, I’d have nothing now.

“I have some funds to get by but can’t afford a lavish lifestyle.

“My mum has always looked out for me, and out of everyone I’ve disappointed with my actions, she’s the one I regret hurting the most — just like the rest of my family.”

Promise of Celebration

Ranger feels he has matured since becoming a father. He has a three-year-old son, Aziel, and although he has since separated from the mother, he is dedicated to being a good dad.

Despite the fact that playing for seventh-tier Kettering is a long way from the heights he once reached, he still believes he can compete in League One or League Two.

At present, he hopes to help the Poppies gain promotion this season, and to prevent youngsters from making the same errors he has, as well as motivate criminals serving time to amend their ways.

He stated: “Prison is meant to be a place for rehabilitation. I witnessed none of that taking place. In fact, it can make people worse.

“I accept that I’m not a good role model for football — but I am a role model, one who has made many mistakes but can guide others on what NOT to do.

“I’ve already spoken to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve received invitations to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experiences to assist others.

“But right now my focus is on enjoying the latter stage of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup upset.”

Moreover, 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 display my happy lip!”


He's vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekend

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He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekend
Credit: Jon Bond

TV viewers will get a close up view of his 'happy' lip tattoo

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TV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattoo
Credit: Jon Bond