Throughout his career Ratchford has played as a fullback, wing, centre, stand-off, scrum-half, hooker and loose forward.

[5] Ratchford signed with Salford City Reds in 2005, and made his first team début for the club in 2007 in a fourth round Challenge Cup match against Gateshead Thunder.

He formed an effective halfback partnership alongside Richie Myler,[5] helping the team win the Northern Rail Cup, and the Division One Grand Final.

[19] During Warrington's defeat by Wigan in the 2018 Super League Grand Final Ratchford was voted winner of the Harry Sunderland Trophy making him only the fourth recipient of the award to have played for the losing side.

[25] In July 2024, Ratchford suffering a fractured eyesocket and jaw during a game against St Helens ruling him out for eight weeks.

[29] In 2015, Ratchford set up a business with former Salford City Reds teammate Matty Smith called Future Stars, which runs coaching sessions for junior rugby league players.