Ricky Ravenhill joined Darlington on loan in January 2007 from Grimsby Town before completing a permanent move shortly afterwards.

Ravenhill started his career at Barnsley but did not make a breakthrough. In early 2002 he joined his home town club Doncaster Rovers where he spent over four years.

Ravenhill was part of the Doncaster side that gained promotion back to the football league via the conference play-offs during the 2002/03 campaign under Dave Penney. The following season was another successful one for Ravenhill as Rovers won promotion again at the first attempt.

Ravenhill figured regularly during Doncaster's first season in League One but his time at Rovers ended in August 2006 and early in the 2006/07 season he joined Grimsby Town. Prior to going to Grimsby Ravenhill had a brief loan spell at Chester City which ended quickly after Chester broke the 60 per cent rule imposed by the Football League.

Ravenhill made fifteen appearances for Grimsby before hooking back up with former Doncaster manager Penny at Darlington for a loan spell with Quakers in January 2007. A tough combative midfield player Ravenhill is not afraid to get stuck into the action as his record of over forty-yellow cards shows.