Alan Ryan (footballer)

Alan J. Ryan, also known as Ginger Ryan (26 September 1909 – 26 October 1980), was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne and Collingwood in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

Alan Ryan
Alan 'Ginger' Ryan in a Collingwood team photo
Ryan during his time at Collingwood
Personal information
Full name Alan J. Ryan
Nickname(s) Ginger, Mick
Date of birth (1909-09-26)26 September 1909
Date of death 26 October 1980(1980-10-26) (aged 71)
Original team(s) Preston (VFA)
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1932–1933 Melbourne 13 (0)
1934–1938 Collingwood 29 (5)
Total 42 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1938.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

In a match for Collingwood against Fitzroy Football Club in 1935, Ryan had to kick for goal from 35 metres out after the final siren with Collingwood trailing by six points (a goal would draw the match). Hundreds of spectators ran onto the ground while Ryan was lining up for goal and just as he was about to kick, a police trooper on horseback rode in front of Ryan, startling him. The horse reared but Ryan was still able to clear the trooper to kick the goal.[2][3]

In 1939 Ryan was cleared to play for Brunswick in the Victorian Football Association.[4]

References
  1. Miller, Quentin (4 September 2010). "MCC Fact Sheet" (PDF). Melbourne Cricket Club Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  2. Atkinson, p. 37.
  3. "One Hit Wonders: Alan Ryan". Collingwood Forever. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. "Collingwood Surprises". The Age. No. 26, 209. Victoria, Australia. 19 April 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 12 December 2017 – via National Library of Australia.

Sources
  • Atkinson, G. (1982). Everything you ever wanted to know about Australian rules football but couldn't be bothered asking. The Five Mile Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0 86788 009 0.
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