27 Facts About Liam Ridgewell

Liam Matthew Ridgewell was born on 21 July 1984 and is an English retired professional footballer who played as a defender.

Liam Ridgewell was primarily a centre back but could play at left back.

Liam Ridgewell is currently an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers.

Liam Ridgewell spent time on loan at AFC Bournemouth in 2002, before moving to Villa's local rivals Birmingham City in 2007, where he was part of the 2011 Football League Cup Final-winning team.

Liam Ridgewell then joined the Portland Timbers, whom he captained to victory in MLS Cup 2015.

Liam Ridgewell ended his career in 2020 after short spells at Hull City and Southend United.

Liam Ridgewell was born in Bexleyheath, in the London Borough of Bexley, and attended Bexleyheath School.

Liam Ridgewell began his career with West Ham United, but moved to Aston Villa in February 2001.

Liam Ridgewell was part of the team that won the 2002 FA Youth Cup final against Everton.

Liam Ridgewell made an unexpectedly quick return to the side five months later, playing in the less familiar position of left back.

Liam Ridgewell continued in that role because of the form of preferred centre-backs Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, and played there as Birmingham went on a club-record 12-match unbeaten run in the top division and set a Premier League record by fielding the same starting eleven for nine consecutive games.

Liam Ridgewell scored a 91st-minute equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur on 30 January 2010 which ensured that Birmingham remained unbeaten at home since the previous September.

Liam Ridgewell continued his goalscoring form with a stoppage-time winner against Derby County to send Birmingham through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, had a goal disallowed in the quarter-final match against Portsmouth when the ball had "clearly crossed the line", and scored an equalising goal against Liverpool in the league.

In June 2010, Liam Ridgewell signed a new contract with Birmingham, to expire in June 2013.

Liam Ridgewell signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on 31 January 2012.

Liam Ridgewell was signed as a Designated Player for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer on 25 June 2014.

Liam Ridgewell was named in the MLS All-Star team for the 2014 MLS All-Star Game against Bayern Munich as a replacement for the injured Kyle Beckerman.

Liam Ridgewell scored his first Timbers goal, the equaliser against the New England Revolution on 16 August 2014, after a 45-yard solo run.

On 8 January 2015, Liam Ridgewell signed for Wigan Athletic on a six-week loan deal.

Liam Ridgewell made six appearances for the Latics, who ended the season with relegation from the Championship.

Liam Ridgewell finished his spell with four wins from five league appearances.

Liam Ridgewell was sent off on 30 September 2018 at the end of a goalless draw at home to FC Dallas for a foul on Roland Lamah.

On 9 August 2019, Liam Ridgewell signed a one-year deal with EFL League One club Southend United, with the option of a second.

Liam Ridgewell left Southend on 31 January 2020, having played no further part.

On 22 May 2020, Liam Ridgewell joined amateur side Sutton Rangers in the Sutton and District Sunday League.

Liam Ridgewell took on his first coaching job in December 2020, when he joined National League club Dover Athletic in the role of a first-team coach, assisting the manager Andy Hessenthaler.

Liam Ridgewell joined the Portland Timbers coaching staff for the 2023 season.