From the pitch to prison: 'There were prisoners stabbed in the showers'

Nile Ranger, once seen as a rising star in English football, now finds himself playing for Kettering Town in the lower tiers of English football.

At 33, his story is one of wasted potential, poor decisions, and a journey that took him from representing England in youth teams and wearing the iconic Newcastle United jersey to the harsh realities of life behind bars. His career, marked by flashes of brilliance on the pitch, became overshadowed by controversies and legal troubles, culminating in his 2017 conviction for bank fraud and subsequent imprisonment in Pentonville Prison.

Ranger’s early career was filled with promise. A product of England's youth system, he displayed immense talent as a forward, earning international caps at the under-19 level. At Newcastle United, he broke into the first team and showed glimpses of his ability in the Premier League. However, off-field issues and a lack of discipline began to derail his career. By 2017, his potential seemed a distant memory as he stood trial and was sentenced to eight months in prison for his involvement in a bank fraud scheme. The conviction marked a significant fall from grace for a player once tipped for stardom.

In a candid interview with The Sun, Ranger opened up about his time in Pentonville, a notorious London prison known for its tough conditions. "It was a bad prison, full of bad things, not a place to be if your mind isn’t in the right place," he admitted. "Mine was, compared to others. I was just foolish and undisciplined." The experience, he said, was harrowing, offering a stark contrast to the life of a professional footballer. For ten weeks, Ranger lived in an environment where violence, fear, and despair were constant companions.

His account of prison life paints a grim picture. "I heard people planning murders and armed robberies for when they got out. There were prisoners being stabbed in the showers, and drones flying over the prison carrying drugs and phones. It was hell," he recalled. The living conditions were equally appalling. "Cockroaches would crawl out of the holes in the walls, and we had to cover them with towels. If you killed one cockroach, more would appear immediately. There were also rats. It was disgusting," he said. Food was another ordeal. "The chicken they gave us was half raw. It was horrible," he added.

For 23 hours a day, Ranger was confined to his cell, with only one hour to exercise and shower. Despite the bleak circumstances, he tried to maintain his physical fitness, knowing that football could be his lifeline upon release. However, the psychological toll was immense. He also faced hostility from some prison guards. "Some of the guards were arrogant and tried to put me down. They were jealous because I was a footballer, but I didn’t realize that at the time," he said.

Ranger’s time in prison did little to ease his sense of injustice. "The sentence wasn’t fair. There are people who’ve done worse and got suspended sentences. I think the judge had already decided the night before, while having dinner with his wife, that he was going to lock me up," he lamented. This bitterness has stayed with him, but so has his determination to rebuild his life and career.

Upon his release for good behavior after ten weeks, Ranger attempted to restart his football career. However, his reputation made it difficult to secure contracts at the higher levels of English football. Despite the setbacks, he continued to pursue his passion for the game, joining Kettering Town, where he remains an active player. While far removed from the Premier League spotlight, Ranger's love for football endures, offering him a sense of purpose and direction.

Reflecting on his past, Ranger acknowledges his mistakes but also highlights the challenges of being thrust into the limelight at a young age. His story serves as a cautionary tale for young athletes, illustrating the importance of discipline, accountability, and surrounding oneself with the right influences. As he now plays in relative obscurity, Nile Ranger is a reminder of the fine line between success and failure in professional sports, and how quickly fortunes can change when poor choices are made.

Though his dreams of stardom may have faded, Ranger’s journey from football to prison and back again is a testament to resilience. Whether or not he ever regains a foothold in the professional game, his story remains a compelling narrative of redemption and the enduring power of sport to provide a second chance.