Robbie Ryan
Encyclopedia
Robert Paul "Robbie" Ryan (born 16 May 1977 in Dublin) is an Irish
footballer, who is a left back. He is currently playing for Croydon Athletic
, having signed in December 2008.
Ryan played his youth football for Belvedere FC
. Ryan began his senior career at Huddersfield Town
in July 1994 but did not 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 2004 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.
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.
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.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer, who is a left back. He is currently playing for Croydon Athletic
Croydon Athletic F.C.
Croydon Athletic F.C. are an English football club based in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, London, England. They currently play in the Isthmian League Division One South.-History:...
, having signed in December 2008.
Ryan played his youth football for Belvedere FC
Belvedere FC
Belvedere Football Club is an Irish youth football club based in Fairview, Dublin. Originally founded in 1971, the club plays in the Dublin & District Soccer League...
. Ryan began his senior career at Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in July 1994 but did not make his first team debut until September 1996 when he came on as a sub in a 3-1 win over Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
.
After making just 15 Appearances for The Terriers, Ryan joined Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in 2000, costing the club £10,000. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. In the 2000-01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
season he only missed four games for Millwall as they won the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title. The following season, Ryan played 32 league games as Millwall made the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
play offs, losing to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
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 2004 FA Cup Final against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
where he was marking Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
.
Computer game Championship Manager
Championship Manager series
The Championship Manager series is a series of British football-management simulation computer games, the first of which was released in 1992.The Championship Manager brand and game was conceived by two brothers: Paul and Oliver Collyer...
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.
In the 2004-05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season, Ryan made 40 league appearances for Bristol Rovers. In 2005-06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
he played only 17 games, none at all since November. On February 1, 2007 Bristol Rovers terminated Ryan's contract.
Ryan has represented Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
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
- Statistics at soccerbase.com
- Photo and stats at sporting-heroes.net
- Profile at bristolrovers.co.uk