Robbie Ryan

Infobox Football biography
playername = Robbie Ryan


fullname = Robert Paul Ryan
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|5|16
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Republic of Ireland
height = height|ft=5|in=11
nickname =
position = Left back
currentclub = Ashford Town F.C.(Kent)
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1993–1994
1994–1998
1998–2004
2004–2007
2007–2008
2008–
clubs = Belvedere
Huddersfield Town
Millwall
Bristol Rovers
Welling United
Ashford Town F.C.
caps(goals) =
015 (0)
226 (2)
54 (0)
36 (1)
1 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland U-21
nationalcaps(goals) = 12
pcupdate = 12:57, 5 July 2007 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Robert 'Robbie' Ryan (born 16 May 1977 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish footballer, who is a left back. He is currently playing for Ashford Town F.C., after leaving Welling in 2008.

Ryan began his career at Huddersfield Town in July 1994 but didn't make his first team debut until September 1996 when he came on as a sub in a 3-1 win over Ipswich Town.

After making just 15 Appearances for The Terriers, Ryan joined Millwall in 2000, costing the club £10,000. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Southend United. In the 2000-01 season he only missed four games for Millwall as they won the Football League Second Division title. The following season, Ryan played 32 league games as Millwall made the First Division play offs, losing to Birmingham City.

At the end of his contract, Millwall offered him another one-year deal, which he declined in favour of a three-year deal with Bristol Rovers, despite dropping down two divisions. He had played 226 league games for Millwall. His last appearance in a Millwall shirt happened to be the FA Cup Final against Manchester United where he was marking Cristiano Ronaldo.

Computer game Championship Manager played its part in Ryan's transfer. Utilising real-life statistical data, the game revealed to Ryan Molesworth, the son of Bristol Rovers scout Paul Molesworth, that Robbie Ryan's contract was expiring. Rovers then became interested in signing the player, which after negotiations, actually took place. [cite web | title=Football transfer due to Championship Manager| work=www.championshipmanager.co.uk | url=http://www.championshipmanager.co.uk/shownews.php?id=84| accessdate=May 17 | accessyear=2006 ]

In the 2004-05 season, Ryan made 40 league appearances for Bristol Rovers. In 2005-06 he played only 17 games, none at all since November. On February 1, 2007 Bristol Rovers terminated Ryan's contract. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/6321621.stm Defender Ryan released by Rovers] BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2007]

Ryan has represented Ireland at schoolboy and youth levels playing in the FIFA World Youth Champions in Malaysia for the Republic of Ireland who came 3rd and has also picked up 12 U21 caps.

External links

* [http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=6964 Statistics] at soccerbase.com
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=10544 Photo and stats] at sporting-heroes.net
* [http://www.bristolrovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/ProfilesDetail/0,,10328~9125,00.html Profile] at bristolrovers.co.uk

References

External links