Sam Ricketts: Oxford exit was the start for me
Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts believes leaving today’s visitors Oxford was the making of his stellar playing career.
Town chief Ricketts, whose side could mathematically clinch League One safety today with a victory, joined the U’s youth ranks as 12 year old.
He made 48 appearances all told before choosing to cancel his contact under then-Oxford boss and Shrews legend Ian Atkins.
Ricketts, whose Salop team were unfortunate in going down 2-1 at promotion-hunting Barnsley on Friday, said his decision to leave Oxford for Telford United was the starting point of his career, which went on to bring Wales international honours.
“I didn’t achieve anything there or come through as the rising star. I went in and cancelled my contract. I had a year left,” said Ricketts.
“I wanted to play first-team football. They were very good bringing me through, I made just shy of 50 appearances. Leaving probably made me, I got out of being the young player at Oxford and went on to play every week from then on.”
