Nile Ranger a free agent after PFA intervene to terminate contract after Blackpool dispute

Ex-­Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger is a free agent once again after his contract at Blackpool was terminated by the Football League after the Seasiders refused to allow the 24­-year-­old walk away from the club.
Nile RangerNile Ranger
Nile Ranger

Despite having not kicked a ball since November 2014, Blackpool made the decision to trigger the striker’s one­-year extension in his contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road this season.

Since then, Ranger was told by manager Neil McDonald that he had no future at the club, while he was made to train alone in a turbulent spell that saw him score just two goals in 14 games.

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The post, on the striker’s Instagram account, shows an image of the letter from the PFA, reading: “The player related dispute commission was held at the Football League in Preston last week.

“The panel dismissed the club’s appeal and therefore the termination of your contract has been upheld.

“You are now free to sign for another club even thought it is outside of the transfer window.”

Ex-­Toon striker Ranger captioned the statement, saying: “God is good, thanks you PFA for everything. #FREEEEE.”

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It was only back in October that Ranger pleaded for another chance to prove himself at the club.

He admitted he has had more “chances than a cat” and told Sky Sports: “I feel like I have let myself down.

“Senior players and manager were telling me to focus because it is a short career and it does not last forever and you need to understand this but in my head I thought ‘This is going to last forever’.

“But I now realise they were right.”

Ranger’s colourful Newcastle career was littered with off­the­field incidents, with the club eventually losing patience with the striker early in 2013.

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He was convicted of common assault in 2013 and last year was fined £1,000 for criminal damage after smashing the window of a taxi.

Ranger made 51 appearances during four seasons at St James’s Park, scoring four goals.