Ricketts and the team had a steady but rocky start to the 2020–21 League One season, drawing 3 and losing 1 of their first 4 played games. Ricketts' first win of the season came on 17 October when a stoppage time winner from new signing Leon Clarke confirmed a 0–1 win at AFC Wimbledon. Four consecutive defeats then followed, including a 5–1 defeat away at Peterborough United on 31 October. Two more draws and another defeat later and the club found themselves in the relegation zone and only off the bottom of the table on goal difference. A 2–2 draw at Milton Keynes Dons, in which The Shrews led 2–0, on 24 November turned out to be the last straw as Ricketts and assistant manager Dean Whitehead were relieved of their duties a day later on 25 November. The club sat 23rd in League One after 13 league games, gaining only 9 points from a possible 39.