In a shocking twist to the frontmans stay at the seaside, Southend terminated his contract after they were apparently less than impressed about Ricketts failing to shed some weight and get himself into the appropriate shape to play regular Championship first team football. Others believe the real reason for his departure was the striker's attitude. Rumours suggest that the 28-year-old had been late for training on more than one occasion.
Whatever the reasoning behind Steve Tilson's decision to cancel the remaining two and a half years of the striker's contract, it must have been a very serious issue and one that will become knowledge over the coming weeks.
Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 24/09/2006 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 31/01/2006 | 12 (1) | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 10/09/2005 | 17 (0) | 5 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 07/08/2005 | 2 (3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 22/02/2005 | 1 (10) | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 07/08/2004 | 11 (13) | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 08/02/2003 | 17 (22) | 4 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 23/02/2002 | 18 (16) | 7 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 13/02/2002 | 1 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 26/08/2000 | 48 (27) | 38 | 13 | 0 | ||
| 21 (11) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards) | ||||||
Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 24/09/2006 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 07/08/2005 | 31 (4) | 8 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 07/08/2004 | 12 (23) | 1 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 26/08/2003 | 12 (18) | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 17/08/2002 | 19 (12) | 8 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 18/08/2001 | 28 (15) | 15 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 26/08/2000 | 25 (20) | 23 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 21/09/1999 | 21 (11) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Appearances 148 (+ 105 as sub); Goals 58; Yellow cards 37; Red cards 0 | ||||||