Martin John Rice (born 7 March 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Exmouth Town. He spent most of his early professional career at Exeter City and has since played for their rivals Torquay United and non-League side Truro City.
Rice rejoined Torquay in 2011 but failed to feature in a league match in 2011–12; he finally made his first league appearance since rejoining the club in November 2012.
Career
Exeter City
Born in Exeter, Rice came through the youth scheme at Exeter City,Ling pleased to have 'keeper Rice on board for second stint at Plainmoor This is Devon Retrieved 10 August 2011 his hometown club, being promoted from the youth team to the senior side in July 2003. Rice began his professional career with the Grecians, making his debut aged 17, and spent four seasons at the club. He made his debut in a 3–2 win against Barnet on 7 October 2003.Martin Rice (Torquay United) profile ExeterCity-Mad.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2012. In his first season, 2003–04, he made five league appearances and two FA Cup appearances. He improved on this record in 2004–05, making 18 appearances in all competitions. Rice was sent off in Exeter's 3–2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on 7 December 2004, after fouling Dagenham forward Craig Mackail-Smith.Dag & Red 2–3 Exeter BBC Sport. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
However, in 2005–06, Rice only made five appearances, and despite making 27 league appearances the next season, he moved to Torquay United in 2007–08 after reaching the end of his contract with Exeter.Torquay Swoop for Exeter Keeper BBC Sport Retrieved 26 July 2011 Rice played a significant role in the Grecians' run to the Conference play-offs, and played in both of Exeter's semi-final ties with Oxford United. Exeter lost 1–0 in the home leg on 4 May 2007, but managed to win 2–1 in the away leg to send the match to a penalty-shoot out. Rice saved Barry Quinn's penalty as Exeter won 4–3 in the shoot-out.Exeter prevail in penalty drama to reach Wembley The Guardian. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
Rice returned to St James Park in May 2011 to play for an Exeter XI in Adam Stansfield's testimonial.Exeter City XI 4 Yeovil Town XI 4 Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 30 July Since leaving Exeter he has also worked for the club's Football in the Community Trust, running goalkeeper coaching courses in February 2010. This is Exeter. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
Torquay United Rice's first spell with Torquay United resulted in nine league appearances,Martin Rice at Soccerbase Soccerbase Retrieved 26 July 2011. in a side that had just been relegated to the Conference National for the first time. Rice failed to establish himself as a regular in the side and was mostly used as backup to the more experienced Canadian goalkeeper Simon Rayner. Rice made more appearances in various cup competitions, amassing 11 cup appearances (including three FA Cup games) in total and 20 appearances for the season in all competitions.Torquay United – Team Profiles – Martin Rice Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 30 July 2011 One of these cup appearances was in the FA Trophy 2007–08 Final against Ebbsfleet United, where Torquay lost 1–0. Rice gave away a penalty after bringing down future teammate Chris McPhee, but made amends by saving the resulting spot-kick to keep the scores level.TheFA.com – Ebbsfleet clinch Trophy The F.A. Retrieved 17 August 2011 In a 2012 interview, Rice hailed the penalty stop as "the best save I ever made – especially as I'd given the pen away!".Rice hails Wembley spot-kick save as "best ever" Extra Time. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
He had also played in Torquay's FA Trophy semi-final first-leg win over York City, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win,BBC Sport – Torquay 2–0 York BBC Sport Retrieved 17 August 2011 and the second-leg defeat to York on 15 March 2008.BBC Sport – York City 1–0 Torquay United (1–2) BBC Sport Retrieved 17 August 2011
Rice was loaned to Truro City for the majority of the 2008–09 season, returning towards the end of the season to be part of Torquay's play-off squad.Football.co.uk – Rice agrees new Torquay Contract Retrieved 11 August 2011 He was an unused substitute in Torquay's 2–0 2009 Conference National play-off final victory over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009.Cambridge United 0–2 Torquay United BBC Sport. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2011
Rice agreed a new one-year deal with Torquay to stay at Plainmoor as they made their return to the Football League.Rice agrees new deal This is Devon Retrieved 10 August 2011 However, he lasted just three months into the contract.
After impressing coaches at Truro during his loan spell, Rice left for Cornwall on a free transfer on 29 September 2009 after being released by Torquay.Martin Rice Profile GiveMeFootball.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2011
Truro City In his loan spell with City in 2008–09, Rice made 20 league appearances, even scoring a goal in the process. With Truro 3–0 up against Abingdon United in injury time in February 2009, they were awarded a penalty. Rice was given the honours and duly converted,Truro City sow the seeds of promotion Falmouth Packet Retrieved 6 August 2011 for the only goal of his career so far. Rice kept five clean sheets in his loan spell. He was unable to play in FA Cup or FA Trophy games for Truro whilst on loan, and Torquay had a 24-hour recall on the goalkeeper.
After impressing on loan from Torquay, Rice signed a permanent deal with Truro a few games into the 2009–10 season; Truro registered the goalkeeper on 1 September 2009.List of Players under Written Contract Transferred in September 2009 The Football Association. 30 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2012. Because he had dropped into non-League football, Rice found himself a part-time footballer and worked on a building site to supplement his income.Rice bubbling after Gulls switch Retrieved 30 July 2011 Rice actually made fewer appearances in his first season as a full Truro player, playing 12 games compared to 20 when he was on loan. Two of these appearances were against Mangotsfield United and Maidenhead United in the FA Cup qualifying stages, but the rest of his appearances came in the league.
Rice's second full season at City was more successful, as he made 37 appearances in all competitions. Five of these appearances came in cup competitions, namely three games in the FA Trophy and two in the FA Cup qualifying rounds. Rice enjoyed more success in the league, keeping an impressive 14 clean sheets in 32 games. This rate of almost a clean sheet every other game was a step up from 2008–09, when the custodian only managed an average of one every four games.
During his time at the club, Rice helped the White Tigers to the Conference South,Truro City beat Banbury United to secure promotion BBC Sport Retrieved 30 July 2011 after they had been in the Southern Football League prior to his arrival. In the 2010–11 season, Rice kept six clean sheets as Truro went on a 10-game unbeaten run.Extra time pays Rice This is Cornwall Retrieved 30 July 2011 He made his last appearance for Truro in a 3–2 loss to Falmouth Town on 12 July 2011,Blue Square Bet South round-up Sport 4 Salisbury Retrieved 6 August 2011 in the Aubrey Wilkes Trophy,Falmouth Town beat Truro City in Aubrey Wilkes Trophy Falmouth Packet Retrieved 6 August 2011 just three days before he left for Torquay. In total, Rice made 69 appearances in all competitions for Truro.Falmouth Packet – Martin Rice Falmouth Packet Retrieved 6 August 2011
Rice's contract with Truro stated that if a league club wanted to buy Rice, he would be allowed to leave.Keeper Martin Rice makes Torquay United return BBC Sport Retrieved 26 July 2011. New Torquay manager Martin Ling heard about this clause and decided to sign Rice as cover for first-choice goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.
Return to Torquay
2011–12
After two seasons with Truro, Rice returned to Torquay as one of new manager Martin Ling's first signings, with the deal being completed on 15 July 2011 and United registering the player on 30 July.Martin Rice Football Stats Soccerbase Retrieved 30 July 2011List of Players under Written Contract Transferred in July 2011 The Football Association. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2012. Rice was likely to be backup to Austrian goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, who was signed from Falkirk at around the same time.Rice ready for Gulls challenge This is Devon Retrieved 26 July 2011.Torquay United – Rice Returns Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 27 July 2011 Rice made his second debut for the Gulls in the 2–0 friendly win over Bristol City, coming on at half-time for Olejnik.GULLS 2 BRISTOL CITY 0 Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 27 July 2011 Rice missed the following friendly against his old club Exeter City,GULLS 3 EXETER 0 Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 4 August 2011 which resulted in a 3–0 win for the Gulls. However, he conceded his first goals in his second spell for Torquay in the 3–1 friendly loss to Burnley. Rice scored an unfortunate own goal in this match to make it 3–1 to Burnley.GULLS 1 BURNLEY 3 Torquay United F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2011Ole Ole – Martin Rice Retrieved 11 August 2011
Bobby Olejnik began the season as Torquay's first-choice goalkeeper. Rice was limited to reserve team football, including a 1–0 win against Yeovil Town reserves in which he kept a clean sheet, and the 3–1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion reserves. He made his competitive debut for Torquay in the Football League Trophy on 30 August 2011 in the Gulls' 2–1 loss to Cheltenham Town.Cheltenham Town 2–1 Torquay United This is South DevonRetrieved 31 August 2011 Rice had to wait until 10 January 2012 for his next first team appearance, playing in United's Devon Bowl quarter–final against Willand Rovers.Torquay eventually won the game on penalties, with Rice saving one of Willand's seven efforts, but Rice had his spot–kick saved.Penalty Success for United Torquay United F.C. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.Rovers beaten in dramatic penalty shoot-out Willand Rovers F.C. Retrieved 12 January 2012. Rice suffered a groin strain soon afterwards and missed Torquay reserves' 3–2 loss to Bournemouth reserves on 17 January 2012. He was replaced in goal by youth team goalkeeper Aaron Ibbetson.United 2 Bournemouth 3 Torquay United F.C. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012. Rice returned as first–choice goalkeeper for the reserves in their final Combination League fixture of the season, a 4–2 loss to Forest Green Rovers on 31 January 2012.United 2 Forest Green 4 Torquay United F.C. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012. The goalkeeper played in United's 1–1 friendly draw with Tiverton Town on 15 February 2012, and despite his performance being described as "outstanding" by Martin Ling, Rice was at fault for Tiverton's goal.Friendly Draw Torquay United F.C. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012. On 21 February 2012, Rice played in Torquay's 3–0 loss to non-League Buckland Athletic in the quarter-finals of the Devon Bowl.Buckland 3 United 0 Torquay United F.C. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012. Rice faced former club Exeter City on 27 February 2012 in a 1–1 friendly draw.Gulls 1 Exeter 1 Torquay United F.C. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012. He featured in Torquay's 1–1 friendly draw with Bideford AFC on 2 May 2012, making a number of important saves to earn a draw for his side.United 1 Bideford 1 Torquay United F.C. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.