Gerry Ryan (footballer)

Gerard Joseph Ryan (4 October 1955 – 15 October 2023) was an Irish professional footballer who played as a forward or winger.[1] He made 18 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team scoring once.[2][3]

Gerry Ryan
Personal information
Full name Gerard Joseph Ryan
Date of birth (1955-10-04)4 October 1955
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Date of death 15 October 2023(2023-10-15) (aged 68)
Position(s) Forward, winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975–1977 Bohemians (12)
1977–1978 Derby County 30 (4)
1978–1985 Brighton 173 (32)
International career
1985 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
1978–1984 Republic of Ireland 18 (1)
Managerial career
1993–1995 Brighton & Hove Albion (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Born in Dublin, Ryan began his career at Bohemians on 9 February 1975 and after 14 goals in 53 appearances he earned a move to Derby County in 1977. He was later moved to Brighton for £100,000 with whom he played in the 1983 FA Cup Final against Manchester United before his career was ended in 1985 after a broken leg sustained in a tackle from Crystal Palace's Henry Hughton.[4]

Ryan played eighteen times for Ireland between 1978 and 1984.[2] Ryan made his debut in April 1978, when he played in a 4–2 win against Turkey in a friendly at Lansdowne Road.[5] His only goal for Ireland came over a year later at the same venue, but it was only a consolation effort as Ireland lost 3–1 to West Germany in a friendly. Ryan's last appearance in a green shirt came in 1984 when he played in a scoreless draw against Mexico at Dalymount Park. He earned one cap for the Republic of Ireland U21 side.

A testimonial in August 1986 provided the funds to buy an 18th century old coaching house, The Witch Inn in Lindfield, West Sussex, which he ran.[6] He turned out regularly for The Witch in the Lewes Sunday League.

Personal life and death

His son Darragh also played for Brighton and in the League of Ireland.

Ryan was admitted to hospital on 18 August 2007 after suffering a stroke. Ryan's recovery from the stroke left him with a weakness in his left side and he decided to sell The Witch.

Gerry Ryan died on 15 October 2023, at the age of 68.[1][7]

Honours

Bohemians

Sources
  • Irish Football Handbook by Dave Galvin & Gerry Desmond (ISBN 0-9517987-3-1)

References
  1. "Former Brighton, Derby and Ireland star Gerry Ryan dies, 68". The Argus. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  2. Gerry Ryan at National-Football-Teams.com
  3. "Gerard Joseph Ryan". eu-football.info. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. "Brighton and Crystal Palace get set for latest bout in the oddest of rivalries". The Guardian. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  5. The Irish Times. Dublin. 5 April 1978. ISSN 0791-5144 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1978/0405/Pg003.html#Ar00300:14E1F016920716A1F01732071B93931D43AB1D63931DE3AB1AF44F1D44661151F013D2071E325720C26F1853931AF3AB. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. Hannigan, Mary (11 January 1999). "Where are they now? No 22: Gerry Ryan". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. Brighton & Hove Albion deeply saddened by passing of former striker, Yahoo News UK (15 October 2023).
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