Salford Red Devils 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. In 2008, following the club's relegation to
National League One, Ratchford established himself as a regular first team player. He formed an effective halfback partnership alongside
Richie Myler, Ratchford played in the
2012 Super League Grand Final defeat by
Leeds at
Old Trafford. Ratchford signed a new deal in 2014 keeping him at the Warrington club until 2018. Ratchford played in the
2016 Super League Grand Final defeat by
Wigan at
Old Trafford. Ratchford played in the
2018 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the
Catalans Dragons at
Wembley Stadium. 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. Ratchford played in the
2018 Super League Grand Final defeat by
Wigan at
Old Trafford. Ratchford played in the
2019 Challenge Cup Final victory over
St. Helens at
Wembley Stadium. In round 8 of the
2021 Super League season, he scored a try and kicked 11 goals in Warrington's 62–18 victory over Salford. Ratchford played 28 games for Warrington in the 2023 Super League season as Warrington finished sixth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. Ratchford played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens. On 28 March 2024, Ratchford set a new goal kicking record in the Super League converting his 40th goal in a row. Warrington would win the match 58-4 over the hapless
London side. In July 2024, Ratchford suffering a fractured eyesocket and jaw during a game against
St Helens ruling him out for eight weeks. The injury resulted in him being unable to eat or talk for the first month of his recovery. On 7 June 2025, Ratchford played in Warrington's 8-6 Challenge Cup final loss against Hull Kingston Rovers. Ratchford played 19 games for Warrington in the 2025 Super League season as they missed the playoffs finishing 8th on the table. Ratchford announced that he would be retiring following the conclusion of the 2025 Super League season. ==International career==