Mark Ridgers
Encyclopedia
Mark Ridgers is a professional football player currently playing for East Fife
in the Scottish Second Division on loan from Scottish Premier League
side Heart of Midlothian
.
and was promoted to the first team singing a new contract keeping him at the club until 2012. He was sent on loan to East Fife in 2009 on a month long deal to give him first team experience. Despite subsequent loans to Airdrie United and a return to East Fife he is yet to make a first team appearance for Hearts although has been named on the bench.
. In all he made five competitive appearances for them.
on a six month loan deal. He made his debut on 24 July 2010 in the Challenge Cup against Ayr United. His loan was later extended until the end of the season. In all he made 38 appearances in all competitions for Airdrie. At the end of the season manager Jimmy Boyle
expressed his desire for mark to stay with them for another season although this never materialised.
in a friendly on 5 July 2011. A loan agreement was later confirmed by Hearts sending him on loan until January 2012. He made his competitive debut against Montrose
in the Ramsdens Cup
on 23 July, followed by his Second Division debut on 6 August against Stirling Albion
. A notable moment came on 20 September at Pittodrie Stadium
when Ridgers saved three penalties in their League Cup win over Aberdeen
. Ridgers won the Irn-Bru Young Player of the month award for September for his performance at East Fife.
and Scotland under-21
squads. 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but was behind Grant Adam in terms of selection for the under-21 team, but was promoted in November 2011 when Adam was withdrawn from the squad due to an alleged sectarian offence. He made his under-21 international debut in a 2–1 victory against the Netherlands
. Ridgers was at fault for the Netherlands goal, although there was some doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the goalline.
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
in the Scottish Second Division on loan from Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
.
Hearts
Ridgers started his career as a youth player with Ross County before joining Hearts in 2007 aged 16 for a £40.000 fee. Whilst playing for Hearts under 19 squad Ridgers impressed manager Csaba LaszloCsaba László
Csaba László is a Romanian born Hungarian football manager and former player. He is the manager of Belgian Pro League club Charleroi SC. He is former manager of Scottish Premier League club...
and was promoted to the first team singing a new contract keeping him at the club until 2012. He was sent on loan to East Fife in 2009 on a month long deal to give him first team experience. Despite subsequent loans to Airdrie United and a return to East Fife he is yet to make a first team appearance for Hearts although has been named on the bench.
East Fife (loan)
On 6 November 2009 Ridgers joined East Fife on a one month emergency loan deal, making his debut the following day against PeterheadPeterhead F.C.
Peterhead F.C. are a football club based in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They currently play in the Scottish Football League Third Division, following promotion in the 2004–05 season.Their home ground is Balmoor in Peterhead, with a capacity of 4,000...
. In all he made five competitive appearances for them.
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, joining Airdrie UnitedAirdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
on a six month loan deal. He made his debut on 24 July 2010 in the Challenge Cup against Ayr United. His loan was later extended until the end of the season. In all he made 38 appearances in all competitions for Airdrie. At the end of the season manager Jimmy Boyle
Jimmy Boyle
James Boyle may refer to:*James Boyle , professor of law*James Boyle *Jimmy Boyle , Scottish sculptor and novelist, former gangster*Jimmy Boyle , American baseball player...
expressed his desire for mark to stay with them for another season 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. Appearing against his parent club HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in a friendly on 5 July 2011. A loan agreement was later confirmed by Hearts sending him on loan until January 2012. He made his competitive debut against Montrose
Montrose F.C.
Montrose Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team, based in the town of Montrose, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division.- Early years :...
in the Ramsdens Cup
2011–12 Scottish Challenge Cup
The 2011–12 Scottish Challenge Cup, known as the Ramsdens Challenge Cup due to sponsorship reasons with Ramsdens, is the 21st season of the competition, competed for by all 30 members of the Scottish Football League and the top two clubs from the Highland League...
on 23 July, followed by his Second Division debut on 6 August against Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
. A notable moment came on 20 September at Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
when Ridgers saved three penalties in their League Cup win over Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. Ridgers won the Irn-Bru Young Player of the month award for September for his performance at East Fife.
International career
Ridgers has been called up to be part of the Scotland under-19Scotland national under-19 football team
The Scotland national under-19 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national football team for players of 19 years of age or under at the start of a European Under-19 Football Championship campaign....
and Scotland under-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
squads. 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. He made his under-21 international debut in a 2–1 victory against the Netherlands
Netherlands national under-21 football team
The Netherlands national under-21 football team is the national under-21 team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years....
. Ridgers was at fault for the Netherlands goal, although there was some doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the goalline.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| East Fife East Fife F.C. East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil... |
2009–10 season | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Airdrie United (loan) Airdrie United F.C. Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the... |
2010–11 season 2010–11 Airdrie United F.C. season During Season 2010–11 Airdrie United competed in the Second Division, Alba Challenge Cup, League Cup and the Scottish Cup.-Summary:Airdrie United finished sixth in the Scottish Second Division... |
34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| East Fife East Fife F.C. East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil... |
2011-12 season 2011–12 East Fife F.C. season During the 2011–12 season East Fife will compete in the Scottish Second Division, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Ramsdens Challenge Cup.-Pre season: Trialist |stadium = Bayview Stadium, Methil|attendance=|referee=Calum Murray|motm =... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 0 | |