Tom Ritchie: Why making the move to Elgin City after my Aberdeen exit paid off in ‘pretty crazy’ League Two promotion chase

Tom Ritchie’s rollercoaster first season since leaving Aberdeen has been a learning curve as he hunts down a League Two promotion place.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper kept his sixth clean sheet in 36 appearances for the Black and Whites in Saturday’s impressive 3-0 victory at Edinburgh City, who are only bottom due to a 15-point deduction dished out for suffering an insolvency event.

Without that, they would be level with a clutch of teams competing for fourth spot, including Elgin.

Last year, ahead of Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup final win against Celtic, Ritchie had already learned he was leaving the Dons, having been with the club since he was nine, but never being able to make a first-team outing.

When at the Dons, Ritchie had loan stints at Queen of the South, Peterhead, Buckie Thistle and Bonnyrigg Rose. He won a Highland League title medal at Buckie in 2024.

However, it was working under Allan Hale and Stefan Laird during a loan spell at Highland League side Huntly in 2021-2022 that was at the forefront of his mind when they offered him a two-year contract at Elgin last July.

Ritchie ‘learning all the time’ at City

Having the chance to make a tangible difference by playing competitive games has been great for Ritchie, who explained why it’s also not all been plain sailing.

He said: “This is my first proper season in League Two and it’s a pretty crazy league where any team can win on any given day.

“In most parts, I’m happy with how my season has gone. I’m still young and I’m still learning and that’s been the biggest thing for me – all the learning I’ve had at Elgin can only be a positive for me.

“I’ve had good games, some not so good, some clean sheets, some good saves and two red cards.

“It’s the first time I’ve played over 16 games in a season. I’ve been learning all about the game and how best to deal in certain situations.

“It has been such a good environment for me and I’ve said to the gaffer I’ve not enjoyed my football as much as this in such a long time.

“At Aberdeen, while training was always good, you miss not playing or contributing towards trying to get three points. I’ve loved having that chance at Elgin.

“The manager has also been patient with me and shown good faith in me. I was sent off not too long ago, but he’s put me back into the team and I have to thank him and Stefan, who have been great.

“The lads have also been brilliant with me and they’re keeping me right, and it’s a good position to be in.”

Promotion chase could go all the way

Forfar Athletic, Stranraer and Elgin are all on 36 points, with Annan Athletic just two points behind and Stirling Albion two points further back and still in promotion contention.

On Tuesday night, in their games in hand, Elgin host Forfar, while third-placed Clyde travel to Stranraer.

With seven fixtures remaining for the Black and Whites, Ritchie thinks the outcomes could be in the balance until the final minutes of an action-packed campaign.

He added: “The positions could be decided on the final weekend.

“We go on a run where we maybe don’t win in ages and then we win a few games on the bounce and you can be right in the mix. That’s the beauty of League Two.

“We have Forfar at home on Tuesday and Clyde here on Saturday.

“The fans can really play their part. They are the best in the league. I’ve always said that, especially when they come out in their numbers.

“These will be tough games, but they are games we can definitely win given the way we’re playing right now.”

[Source: Press and Journal]