Isaiah Rankin

Isaiah Marcus Rankin (born 22 May 1978) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward from 1996 to 2014.

Isaiah Rankin
Rankin warming up for Brentford in 2006
Personal information
Full name Isaiah Marcus Rankin
Date of birth (1978-05-22) 22 May 1978
Place of birth Edmonton, England
Playing position(s) Forward / Winger
Youth career
1994–1996 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Arsenal 1 (0)
1997 → Colchester United (loan) 11 (5)
1998–2001 Bradford City 37 (4)
2000 → Birmingham City (loan) 13 (4)
2000 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 16 (2)
2001–2004 Barnsley 46 (8)
2004 → Grimsby Town (loan) 6 (2)
2004 Grimsby Town 6 (2)
2004–2006 Brentford 78 (15)
2006–2008 Grimsby Town 37 (2)
2007 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 4 (0)
2008 Stevenage Borough 6 (0)
2008–2009 Crawley Town 18 (3)
2009–2010 Forest Green Rovers 19 (3)
2010–2011 Ashford Town 35 (12)
2011–2014 Hendon 61 (14)
Total 394 (76)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He started his professional career with Arsenal where he came through the club's youth setup. He appeared once for the Gunners, was loaned out to Colchester United, then sold to Bradford City in 1998 where he was part of the squad that gained promotion to the Premier League. Bradford loaned him to Bolton Wanderers, then Birmingham City, before moving him to Barnsley on a permanent deal in 2001. In 2004, he joined Grimsby Town and then Brentford where he remained for two years before returning to Grimsby. During his second spell with The Mariners he spent a month on loan with Macclesfield Town before being released. He then joined Stevenage Borough for the remainder of the 2007–08 season. He subsequently played non-league football for Crawley Town, Forest Green Rovers, Ashford Town and Hendon.

Career

Arsenal

Rankin started his career playing for Arsenal as a youngster, and he was promoted to be the first team squad in the summer of 1996. Rankin went on to feature once for The Gunners, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 draw with rivals Tottenham Hotspur in December 1997.[1] Arsenal went on to win the Premier League that season but Rankin didn't feature enough times (once) for a medal. While with the club he had a brief loan spell with Colchester United. In 1998, he was transfer listed by the club, and shortly afterwards he was to leave Highbury with Yorkshire his destination. Manager Arsène Wenger said he sold Rankin "Because he had in front of him too many players who were in to play in the top team. He was impatient. I thought that he wouldn't naturally make it this season, and he needed some first-team games. He was one of the players where, if you keep him, he drops; if he drops, his value goes down and he isn't happy and he hasn't improved. If you are sure he won't play for you this season, you give him a chance to make a career somewhere else. I'm happy for him."[2]

Bradford City

Rankin was signed by Bradford City for £1.3 million helping them earn promotion to the Premier League in his first season. Rankin was not considered a first team regular during Bradford's two-year stay in the top flight and featured in only ten of their Premiership matches during that time. However, he was on the pitch when Bradford memorably secured safety on the last day of the 1999–2000 season with a win against Liverpool.[3] Rankin was loaned out twice by Bradford, firstly to Birmingham City and then Bolton Wanderers, before finally leaving the club permanently to join Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.

Barnsley

Rankin joined Barnsley for £350,000 on 19 January 2001, and would go on to play in three different seasons for the Oakwell club. During the 2003–04 season, with Barnsley rooted in the middle of the Division Two table, he was made available for transfer after losing his place in the team. Barnsley attempted to sign Grimsby Town striker Michael Boulding, who had wanted to leave the club following the dismissal of Town's manager Paul Groves. Barnsley offered Town £50,000 for Boulding with the option of taking Rankin on a one-month loan as part of the deal. The offer was accepted by caretaker manager Graham Rodger and Rankin signed for The Mariners initially for a one-month loan period.[4]

Grimsby Town

Rankin scored two goals in his first six games. In a match against his parent club Barnsley at Blundell Park, Rankin scored a goal in a 6–1 victory for Grimsby, but controversially upset Barnsley manager Gudjon Thordarson for what he called an unprofessional goal celebration.[5] Thordarson stated that Rankin would never play for Barnsley again, and the player had his contract terminated with immediate effect, which allowed him to sign for Grimsby on a permanent basis until the end of the season.[6] Grimsby appointed Nicky Law as manager but he could not prevent the club's relegation, despite Rankin's goal in a 1–0 win against Brentford on the second-last game of the season.[7] Following the club's relegation, Rankin was out of contract and decided not to stay at Blundell Park in favour to stay playing his football in League One.

Brentford

Brentford came in for the striker, and signed him on a two-year deal.[8] Rankin joined the club along with fellow Grimsby player Jamie Lawrence.[9] During his spell at the Griffin Park club, his goal against Southampton in the 2004–05 FA Cup Fifth Round was nominated on Match of the Day's 'Goal of the Month' competition, but did not win the top prize. Rankin was released by Brentford in May 2006 after two years.[10]

Return to Grimsby Town

Rankin re-joined Grimsby Town in July 2006 but despite much expectations, he made a slow start to the new spell, despite scoring on his second debut in the 3–2 win over Boston United, a game in which he and Peter Bore helped Grimsby come back from 2–0 down.[11] With favoured goalscoring partner Michael Reddy injured, Rankin struggled with fitness problems and by the end of the season the pair had only scored three goals between them. Rodger was sacked as manager and Alan Buckley came in to take his place. With the loan signing of Martin Paterson a favoured starter it meant when fit Rankin would often have to settle for a place on the bench. Buckley made Rankin available for loan and in March 2007 he was loaned out to Macclesfield Town for the remainder of the season.[12] He made only four appearances and failed to score. Rankin remained at Blundell Park for the beginning of the 2007–08 season but his contract was eventually terminated by mutual consent during the January 2008 transfer window.[13]

Stevenage Borough

Upon his release from Grimsby, he signed with Conference club Stevenage Borough on a short-term deal until the end of the 2007–08 season.[14] He was one of several players released at the end of the season.[15]

Crawley Town

His next club was Crawley Town, with whom he signed in July 2008 having featured in a number of pre-season friendlies whilst on trial with the West Sussex club.[16] In January 2009, Crawley were deducted four league points and fined after failing to register Rankin with the Conference at the start of the 2008–09 campaign, despite the fact that the Football Association received his papers.[17] Following the conclusion of the season, Crawley decided against offering Rankin a new deal, and he was released from the club.[18] Rankin made 18 league appearances for Crawley, scoring three times.

Forest Green Rovers

Following his release from Crawley, Rankin remained out of the game up until December 2009, when he signed for fellow Conference National team Forest Green Rovers on a non-contract basis. He was given the number 33 shirt. Rankin scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 Boxing Day victory over Salisbury City, and his second in a 1–0 win over Gateshead at the New Lawn on 16 January 2010. He netted Forest Green's only goal in their 2–1 loss to Notts County at Meadow Lane in the third round of the FA Cup.[19] He was released at the end of the season having scored three goals in 19 league appearances.

Ashford Town

In September 2010, Rankin signed for Southern Football League Division One Central side Ashford Town, in Middlesex, a team managed by his former Bradford City, Grimsby Town and Brentford teammate Jamie Lawrence.[20]

Hendon

Rankin joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon on 16 August 2011.[21] In July 2012, he signed a new one-year contract.[22] Rankin made 76 appearances and scored 15 goals before departing at the end of the 2013–14 season and subsequently retired from competitive football.[23][24]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 1997–98[25] Premier League1000000010
Colchester United (loan) 1997–98[25] Third Division 11500001[lower-alpha 1]0125
Bradford City 1998–99[26] First Division274102100305
1999–2000[27] Premier League90100000100
2000–01[28] Premier League1000002[lower-alpha 2]030
Total 374202120435
Birmingham City (loan) 1999–2000[27] First Division134000000134
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2000–01[28] First Division162002000182
Barnsley 2000–01[28] First Division9100000091
2001–02[29] First Division91001000101
2002–03[30] Second Division8100110092
2003–04[31] Second Division205311120267
Total 4683132205411
Grimsby Town 2003–04[31] Second Division 124000000124
Brentford 2004–05[32] League One41892102[lower-alpha 3]05310
2005–06[33] League One37752002[lower-alpha 3]0449
Total 781514410409719
Grimsby Town 2006–07[34] League Two20210101[lower-alpha 1]0232
2007–08[35] League Two17000101[lower-alpha 1]1191
Total 372102021423
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2006–07[34] League Two4000000040
Stevenage Borough 2007–08[35] Conference National6000000060
Crawley Town 2008–09[36] Conference National183000000183
Forest Green Rovers 2009–10[37] Conference National193110000204
Career total 2985021610311134060
  1. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  3. Appearances in Football League play-offs

Honours

Arsenal

Bradford City

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References
  1. Moore, Glenn (29 December 1997). "Klinsmann returns to find Spurs in disarray". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  2. The professor Arsene Wenger by Myles Palmer page 135
  3. "Bradford celebrate great escape". BBC News. 14 May 2000. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. "Barnsley seal Boulding deal". BBC Sport. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  5. "Thordarson fumes at Rankin". BBC Sport. 29 February 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  6. "Mariners seal Rankin deal". BBC Sport. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  7. "Grimsby 1–0 Brentford". BBC. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  8. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | BEES SIGN TWO". world.brentfordfc.co.uk. 27 May 2004. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  9. "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | BEES CAPTURE LAWRENCE". world.brentfordfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  10. "Transfers – June 2006". 30 June 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  11. "Grimsby 3–2 Boston Utd". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  12. "Rankin joins Macclesfield on loan". BBC Sport. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  13. "Rankin departs". Grimsby Town F.C. 31 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  14. "Stevenage complete triple signing". BBC Sport. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  15. "Borough release five". Stevenage F.C. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  16. "Crawley Town can confirm that former Arsenal and Bradford City striker Isaiah Rankin has signed for the club". Crawley Town F.C. 23 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  17. "Crawley handed four-point penalty". BBC Sport. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  18. "Boss gives player update". Crawley Town F.C. 18 May 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
  19. "Notts County 2–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 20 January 2010.
  20. Batham, Jon (18 September 2010). "Ashford swoop for former Bradford and Brentford striker". Staines News. Archived from the original on 5 January 2011.
  21. "Former Arsenal strike among four signings". Greensnet. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  22. "Hendon announce glamour tie with Premier League newboys". Barnet & Whetstone Press. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  23. "Greensnet – Official Hendon FC: Former Staff – Isaiah Rankin". www.hendonfc.net. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  24. "Played For Both: Colchester United". www.mtfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  25. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  26. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  27. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  28. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  29. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  30. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  31. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  32. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  33. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  34. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  35. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  36. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  37. "Games played by Isaiah Rankin in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  38. "The FA Youth Cup". Arsenal.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017.
  39. "Tier Two (Championship) Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
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