Christopher Rodgers Player Profile

Biography

Ballymena born and raised central defender, Chris Rodgers had two spells with the Sky Blues at the start of his Irish League career.

Rodgers – a boyhood Ballymena United supporter - first made his mark with the club winning the Harry Cavan Youth Cup in 2009 as an 18-year-old having been previously emerged as of the Ballymena United Youth Academy. First team manager Roy Walker had shown interest in the Cullybackey born defender and brought him onto the panel in August 2009 but with opportunities limited, Rodgers walked away from the club in search of first team football with Coleraine.

Chances were equally few and far between in the first-team at the Ballycastle Road under David Platt, his only appearance was in the North-West Cup Final, as the Bannsiders were defeated by Institute in November 2011. Platt was replaced by former Ballymena United midfielder Oran Kearney in February of that season, but the defender remained predominantly a Reserve team regular at the Ballycastle Road.

Walker coaxed the maturing defender back to Warden Street in July 2011 and Christopher started the 2011/2012 season as one the first choice back four in a new look Ballymena United side. Results proved erratic and a period out of the team coincided with a change in manager as Glenn Ferguson came in and quickly showed faith in the 21-year-old by reinstating him for the remainder of the season and his performances were rewarded with a new two-year contract.

A first senior medal came for Rodgers and United – ending 23 years of trophy-less seasons at Warden Street. He was an unused substitute in the County Antrim Shield final victory over Linfield, which unfortunately epitomised a frustrating second full season in the first-team. The defender spent long spells out of the starting eleven as Ferguson continually tried to find alternative solutions to a chronic leaky defence. In May 2013, Rodgers was transfer listed as the manager advised that first-team opportunities may be limited going forward - he had made 42 appearances scoring twice for the Braidmen.

On the August 2013 transfer deadline day, the defender agreed to join neighbouring club Wakehurst, then playing in Championship 2 (third tier). That deal lasted until January 2014, when David McAlinden swooped to sign him on 18 month deal at Larne, in the division above. However, two serious knee injuries followed which curtailed his early promise at Inver Park but established himself as a key figure from the start of the 2015/2016 campaign. By 26-years-old Chris had matured into one of the top defenders in the division and won the Invermen’s Player of the Year Award for the 2016/2017 season.

Despite high expectation each year, Larne failed to finish higher than fifth in the Championship during Rodgers’ time and amidst severe budget cuts at Inver Park, he could not agree terms and subsequently the move across East Antrim to Ballyclare Comrades in the summer of 2017. The defender made 27 appearances and scored twice for Clifford Adams’ men as they finished fifth in a competitive division.

Rodgers completed the set of East Antrim clubs in August 2018, as he joined Niall Currie’s rebuilding job at Carrick Rangers. The ‘Gers defied all odds with a late surge to the promotion playoffs and off the back of a nine game unbeaten regular league season run – they defeated both Portadown and Ards to earn a place back in the top-flight.

Having defied the odds to win promotion, Rodgers and his team-mates were favourites for relegation going into the 2019/2020 campaign but buoyed by a strong Ballymena based contingent which also included Mark Surgenor, Michael Smith, Caolan Loughran and Stewart Nixon – they impressed many onlookers with their determined and effective style of play. Finishing eighth in the table, two places above the Sky Blues – and the club’s highest top division finish since the 1990’s in a season unfortunately curtailed off the pitch by Covid-19.

Niall Currie’s men struggled to maintain their form going into the following 2020/2021 season played predominantly behind closed doors due to the pandemic. Carrick’s lack of cutting edge left them saved from a threat of relegation by virtue of the leagues below not taking place. Chris, who turned 30 mid-season remained a key figure – but could not prevent the East Antrim men finishing in eleventh place, which led to the resignation of the manager before the season was over.

Career
(Aug 2008) Ballymena United; (Aug 2010) Coleraine; (Aug 2011) Ballymena United; (Aug 2013) Wakehurst;
(Jan 2014) Larne; (Jul 2017) Ballyclare Comrades; (Aug 2018) Carrick Rangers

Honours
(with Ballymena United)
County Antrim Shield: (winner) 2012/2013
Harry Cavan Youth Cup: (winner) 2008/2009
IFA Youth League Cup: (winner) 2009/2010
(with Coleraine)
North West Cup: (finalist) 2010/2011