Etheridge began his career at
Derby County, but never played for the club. He had loan spells at nearby non-league teams
Ilkeston,
Gresley and
Leek Town, and on 26 January 2015, he was loaned to
League One club
Crewe Alexandra for a month. Starting on 31 January with their 0–5 loss to
Milton Keynes Dons at
Gresty Road, he was included for five games for the Railwaymen, but never took to the field. On 9 March, he went on another month-long stint at
Stalybridge Celtic, playing ten full
Conference North games.
Accrington Stanley On 29 June 2015, after his release from Derby, Etheridge signed for
League Two club
Accrington Stanley on a year-long deal. He played the first professional game of his career on 1 September, a 1–2 loss to
Bury at the
Crown Ground in the first round of the
Football League Trophy.
Doncaster Rovers On 25 May 2016, Etheridge joined fellow League Two side
Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal. Etheridge failed to impress and by mid January 2017 he was third choice keeper following the signing of
Ian Lawlor. He was made available for transfer at the end of the season, though a training ground injury where he broke his ankle made this unlikely to happen.
Nuneaton Town On 25 January 2018, after being released by mutual consent from Doncaster, Etheridge was signed by
National League North side
Nuneaton Town. He joined
Stratford Town on loan in September 2018 and went on to spend the majority of the season with the
Southern Premier Central Division club.
Glapwell FC At the start of the 2020–21 season, Etheridge turned down a host of clubs to sign for home club
Glapwell FC, where he spent his junior years before joining the
Derby County academy. His father, Neil, was the club's goalkeeper in the 1990s. Neil is still connected with the club as a groundskeeper.
South Normanton Athletic On 7 June 2023,
Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South side
South Normanton Athletic announced Etheridge had joined the club.
Doe Lea On 22nd February 2026, Ross played in the semi final of the Derbyshire cup, in the 64th minute he decided to take a penalty to tie the game. He rocketed the penalty over the bar and began the walk of shame back to his own box. The game finished 1-0 and went straight to the physio to get treated for bee stings. Bees do in fact sting several times ==Career statistics==