[7] As a result of Naysmith's injury, Manager Lee Clarke decided not to loan out Ridehalgh, citing left-back crisis.

[11] Ridehalgh then became a regular in the first team until Naysmith returned from a foot injury in February 2011 making a total of 20 league appearances with a further three coming in the FA Cup.

[17] Ridehalgh made his league debut for the club, where he came on for Raffaele De Vita in the 75th minute, in a 2–0 win over Macclesfield Town on 30 September 2011.

[21] He then went on loan to League One strugglers Chesterfield on a deal that would last to the end of the 2011–12 season,[22] playing his first game in the 0–2 home defeat at the hands of Exeter City on 7 January 2012.

[27] Ridehalgh's first game after signing for the club on his second loan spell came on 25 August 2012, where he came on as a substitute for Danny Whitaker in the 78th minute, in a 1–1 draw against Rotherham United.

[30] It was revealed that the club allowed to end Ridehalgh early after losing his first team place to Nathan Smith under the management of Paul Cook.

On 28 September 2013, Ridehalgh joined Tranmere Rovers on a 3-month loan,[36] and made his début against Port Vale on the same day.

[40] Weeks after joining the club permanently, Ridehalgh sustained a groin injury during a 3–0 loss to Peterborough United and was taken off half-time.

[48] Ridehalgh ended the season with only 18 appearances as Tranmere suffered back-to-back relegations falling to National League.

Ridehalgh remained at Tranmere and began 2015–16 season as a regular starter, scoring an opening goal as Rovers won at Gateshead.