Ryan Green
{{short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{other people}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ryan Green
| image =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|10|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cardiff, Wales
| height =
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Defender
| years1 = 1997–2001
| years2 = 2001
| years3 = 2001–2002
| years4 = 2002
| years5 = 2002–2003
| years6 = 2003–2006
| years7 = 2006–2009
| years8 = 2009–2012
| years9 = 2012–2014
| years10 = 2014–2015
| years11 = 2015–2019
| years12 = 2019-
| clubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
| clubs2 = → Torquay United (loan)
| clubs3 = Millwall
| clubs4 = → Cardiff City (loan)
| clubs5 = Sheffield Wednesday
| clubs6 = Hereford United
| clubs7 = Bristol Rovers
| clubs8 = Hereford United
| clubs9 = Port Talbot Town
| clubs10 = Merthyr Town
| clubs11 = Hereford
| clubs12 = Westfields
| caps1 = 16
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 10
| goals2 = 0
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 0
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| caps5 = 4
| goals5 = 0
| caps6 = 90
| goals6 = 3
| caps7 = 71
| goals7 = 0
| caps8 = 100
| goals8 = 2
| caps9 = 53
| goals9 = 1
| caps10 = 14
| goals10 = 3
| caps11 = 106
| goals11 = 2
| caps12 =
| goals12 =
| nationalyears1 = 1998–2001
| nationalyears2 = 1998
| nationalteam1 = Wales U21
| nationalteam2 = Wales
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalcaps1 = 16
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 14:09, 25 October 2018 (UTC)
}}
Ryan Green (born 20 October 1980) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|Westfies}} club Westfields. He earned two international caps for Wales in 1998, breaking Ryan Giggs's record as their youngest player, a record which has since been surpassed.
Club career
=Wolverhampton Wanderers=
Green began his career as a trainee with Wolverhampton Wanderers turning professional in October 1997. Despite already being a full international, manager Mark McGhee kept him in the reserves. His successor Colin Lee needed a replacement for defender Kevin Muscat on 10 November 1998 and gave Green his debut in a 2–1 First Division victory against Sheffield United at Molineux. He was praised by local newspaper Express & Star for his performance, and was given an ovation when he was substituted due to injury. During his recuperation, Muscat recovered and regained his place in the team.{{cite news|title=From the archive – the 'next Giggs' makes his debut|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/11/02/from-the-archive-the-next-giggs-makes-his-debut/|accessdate=15 December 2015|work=Express & Star|date=2 November 2015}}
Green handed in a transfer request in January 2000, when he was not chosen for an FA Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday, and Lee stated that his preferred right backs were Muscat and Darren Bazeley. However, at the start of the 2000–01 season, Bazeley was moved into right midfield and Muscat to left back, giving Green an extended run in the team. On 17 October, away to West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country derby, he was sent off in the 40th minute of a 1–0 loss, for two fouls on Jason Roberts in a three-minute space.{{cite news|title=West Brom 1-0 Wolves|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/975264.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2000}} He never started for the team again, and totalled eight starts and four substitute appearances in his time at the club.
In early 2001, Green handed in another transfer request, and joined Torquay United on loan in March, where Lee was assistant manager. He played ten times as they successfully fought off relegation to the Conference, despite scoring an own goal in the final game of the season, a 3–2 win away to Barnet which relegated the hosts.{{cite news|title=Barnet suffer relegation heartache|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1310555.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2001}}
=Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday=
Green moved to fellow First Division side Millwall on a free transfer on 20 October 2001, until the end of the season, signed by his former Wolves manager McGhee.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/1610319.stm Green joins Millwall] He made his debut later that day in a 3–3 draw against Nottingham Forest at The New Den.{{cite news|title=Millwall 3-3 Nottm Forest|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1606730.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 October 2001}}
He almost joined Bradford City in 2002, a move scuppered by the financial impact on Football League clubs of the ITV Digital collapse. Instead he joined Cardiff City on a monthly contract in November 2002, joining Sheffield Wednesday two weeks later. He was released by Wednesday at the end of the season, having been relegated to the Second Division.{{cite news|title=Turner wields the axe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/3010933.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2003}}
=Hereford United=
In August 2003, Green signed for Conference side Hereford United.{{cite news|title=Turner 'quietly confident' that United will challenge|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/5675654.Turner__quietly_confident__that_United_will_challenge/|accessdate=15 December 2015|work=Hereford Times|date=7 August 2003}} On 23 September, against Telford United at Edgar Street, he scored his first senior goal, a left-foot volley to seal a 2–1 win in the third minute of added time and keep the Bulls in first place in the league.{{cite news|title=Hereford United 2 Telford United 1|url=http://www2.newsquest.co.uk/herefordshire/hufc/sport/WEN_SPORT_FOOTBALL_HEREFORD_REPORTS_H31.html|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=Newsquest|date=23 September 2003}} On 13 December, he was sent off in the last minute of a 0–1 home loss to Tamworth.{{cite news|title=Nationwide Conference results and table|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/article34361.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144958/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/article34361.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2015|accessdate=15 December 2015|work=The Sunday Times|date=14 December 2003}} The team finished the season in the play-off places, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Aldershot.{{cite news|last1=Prime|first1=Richard|title=Aldershot closing on return to the big league|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/04/newsstory.sport9|accessdate=15 December 2015|work=The Guardian|date=4 May 2004}}
Green played 26 league games in the 2004–05 season, scoring his only goal of the campaign on 30 August in a 4–1 win at Northwich Victoria.{{cite news|title=Northwich 1-4 Hereford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35035929|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2004}} Hereford again reached the play-off semi-finals, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Stevenage Borough.{{cite news|last1=Duncan|first1=Euan|title=Hereford United 0-1 Stevenage Borough|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2005/05/05/hereford_stevenage_secondleg_060505_result.shtml|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2005}}
He opened his third season at the club on 13 August 2005, scoring the third goal of a 4–0 home win over Scarborough.{{cite news|title=Hereford 4-0 Scarborough|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4126818.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 August 2005}} Sixteen days later, in a 1–0 win at Tamworth, he was sent off for violent conduct.{{cite news|title=Tamworth 0-1 Hereford|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4168800.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2005}} For a third successive season, Hereford made the play-offs, and dispatched Morecambe in the semi-finals to set up a final against Halifax Town on 20 May 2006. In the decisive game, at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium, he scored the 108th-minute winner in a 3–2 victory.{{cite news|title=Halifax 2-3 Hereford (aet)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4771819.stm|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 May 2006}}
=Bristol Rovers=
On 31 May 2006, Green signed a two-year contract with Bristol Rovers of League Two.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/5034268.stm Rovers bag Bulls' defender Green] He made his debut on 5 August, replacing Chris Carruthers for the final 15 minutes of a 2–1 loss at Peterborough United. Green made 33 league appearances in his first season with the Pirates but suffered a foot injury in the 4–3 away defeat to Grimsby Town on 20 February 2007. Due to the injury, he missed the Football League Trophy final, which his team lost to Doncaster Rovers. He returned for the final stages of the campaign as they qualified for the play-offs. After eliminating Lincoln 7–4 on aggregate in the semi-finals, he played in the final on 26 May at Wembley Stadium, a 3–1 win over Shrewsbury Town.
A broken jaw and further Achilles tendon problems in a volatile match at Swindon Town ruled him out for the rest of the following season. A hamstring injury sustained in a pre-season friendly added to Green's injury nightmare.[http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Green-looking-end-Bristol-Rovers-injury-jinx/article-411018-detail/article.html Green looking to end Bristol Rovers injury jinx] Evening Post, 20 October 2008, retrieved 14 June 2009. His contract was not renewed, and he left the club on 8 May 2009.
=Return to Hereford United=
On 5 June 2009, Green re-signed for Hereford United on a one-year deal ahead of the 2009–10 season. Following their relegation in 2012, Hereford did not offer him a new contract.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/8087420.stm Green rejoins Bulls from Pirates] www.bbc.co.uk
=Later career=
In August 2012, Green joined Welsh Premier League club Port Talbot Town.{{cite web|title=Ex-Wales defender Green joins the Steelmen|url=http://www.welsh-premier.com/index.php/lead-story/5006-ex-wales-defender-green-joins-the-steelmen|publisher=Welsh Premier League|accessdate=4 August 2012}}
Green left Port Talbot after one season and in June 2014, he joined Merthyr Town, where he captained the team as they won the Southern League Division One South & West, and promotion to the Premier Division.
On 14 September 2015, he signed for newly formed Hereford, the phoenix club of Hereford United, playing in the Midland League Premier Division.{{cite news|title=Ryan Green Signs on at Edgar Street|url=http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/ryan-green-signs-on-at-edgar-street/|accessdate=14 December 2015|publisher=Hereford F.C.|date=14 September 2015}} Following a successful season which resulted in promotion, Green signed for a further season in July 2016.{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Jamie |date=2016-06-21 |title=Ryan Green Agrees Terms |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/breaking-news-ryan-green-agrees-terms/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford FC |language=en}}
In September 2018, Green was appointed player-manager of Hereford after the departure of Peter Beadle, overseeing five matches before Marc Richards was appointed as permanent manager on 2 October.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Ian |date=2018-09-14 |title=Welsh duo put in temporary charge of Hereford FC |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/16860690.ryan-green-chosen-player-manager/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Ben |date=2018-10-02 |title=Richards appointed as Head Coach |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/16955906.marc-richards-appointed-hereford-fc-coach/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}} In December 2018, Green took a break from playing, but remained at Hereford as a scout.{{Cite web |title=Ryan Green to Take Break From Football |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-ryan-green-to-take-break-from-football/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford FC |language=en}}
On 11 July 2019, Green joined Hereford-based Hellenic League Premier Division club Westfields.[https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/17765352.ryan-green-joins-westfields/ Ryan Green joins Westfields], herefordtimes.com, 11 July 2019 In July 2020, he renewed his stay with the club for a further year, however two months later it was announced that he was leaving the club due to work commitments.{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Ben |date=2020-07-08 |title=Ryan Green amongst a host of Westfields players re-signing |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/18568257.ryan-green-amongst-host-westfields-players-re-signing/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Ben |date=2020-09-01 |title=Green leaves Westfields due to work commitments |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/18689763.ryan-green-leaves-westfields-due-work-commitments/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}
In July 2023, Green rejoined Westfields, aged 42.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=David |date=2023-06-26 |title=Westfields sign 'Rolls-Royce' veteran defender Ryan Green |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/23615653.westfields-sign-rolls-royce-veteran-defender-ryan-green/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}
International career
Cardiff-born Green made his full international debut against Malta on 3 June 1998, before playing a senior club game.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2006/03/02/ryan-green-for-go-lewin-91466-16763053/ Ryan Green for go – Lewin] Western Mail, 2 March 2006, retrieved 14 June 2009. At the age of 17 years and 226 days, he became their youngest international, eclipsing the record of Ryan Giggs.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-green-the-younger-to-eclipse-giggs-mark-1162623.html Green the younger to eclipse Giggs' mark] The Independent, 3 June 1998, retrieved 14 June 2009. Wales manager Bobby Gould went on to select him for a match against Tunisia, his second and final cap. Giggs himself called the selection of Green a "typical Gould stunt", and wrote in his autobiography that he and Green only had a hometown in common.
Green's record stood until it was surpassed by Lewin Nyatanga in 2004, aged 17 years and 195 days.{{cite news|title=Lewin Nyatanga feats should inspire Zimbabwe|url=http://www.thestandard.co.zw/2004/05/07/lewin-nyatanga-feats-should-inspire-zimbabwe/|accessdate=15 December 2015|work=The Standard|date=7 May 2004}} After being occupied by Gareth Bale, it is currently held by Harry Wilson, who was 16 years and 207 days old on his 2013 debut.{{cite news|title=Who is Harry Wilson? Meet the Liverpool FC starlet who is now Wales' youngest ever player|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-star-harry-wilson-6195566|accessdate=15 December 2015|publisher=Wales Online|date=16 October 2013}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 31 March 2012}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{Efn|Includes FA Cup, Welsh Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{Efn|Includes EFL Cup, Welsh League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4" |Wolverhampton Wanderers
|1998–99{{soccerbase season|13184|1998|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000{{soccerbase season|13184|1999|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|First Division |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000–01{{soccerbase season|13184|2000|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|First Division |7 |0 |2 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |11 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| Torquay United (loan)
|10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Millwall
|2001–02{{soccerbase season|13184|2001|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} |First Division | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| Cardiff City (loan)
|2002–03{{soccerbase season|13184|2002|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{Efn|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy|name=efl}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Sheffield Wednesday
|First Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4" |Hereford United
|2003–04{{soccerbase season|13184|2003|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} |38 |1 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |5{{Efn|Two appearances in Football League Trophy; one appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances in Football Conference play-offs}} |0 |44 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2004–05{{soccerbase season|13184|2004|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|Conference National |26 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3{{Efn|One appearance in Football League Trophy; two appearances in Conference National play-offs}} |0 |29 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2005–06{{soccerbase season|13184|2005|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|Conference National |26 |1 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |5{{Efn|Two appearances in Football League Trophy; three appearances and one goal in Conference National play-offs}} |1 |33 |2 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!90 !3 !3 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !13 !1 !106 !4 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4" |Bristol Rovers
|2006–07{{soccerbase season|13184|2006|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} |33 |0 |2 |0 |1 |0 |6{{Efn|Three appearances in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League Two play-offs}} |0 |42 |0 | ||||||||||
| 2007–08{{soccerbase season|13184|2007|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|12 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |1{{Efn|name=efl}} |0 |14 |0 | ||||||||||
| 2008–09{{soccerbase season|13184|2008|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|League One |26 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |1{{Efn|name=efl}} |0 |28 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!71 !0 !4 !0 !1 !0 !8 !0 !84 !0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4" |Hereford United
|2009–10{{soccerbase season|13184|2009|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}} |League Two |31 |1 |1 |0 |2 |0 |2{{Efn|name=efl}} |0 |36 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2010–11{{soccerbase season|13184|2010|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|League Two |41 |1 |3 |0 |1 |0 |1{{Efn|name=efl}} |0 |46 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|13184|2011|name=Ryan Green|access-date=12 September 2023}}
|League Two |28 |0 |1 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |31 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!100 !2 !5 !0 !5 !0 !3 !0 !113 !2 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Port Talbot Town
|2012–13{{soccerway|ryan-green/50834|accessdate=12 September 2023}} |29 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |30 |1 | ||||||||||
| 2013–14
|Welsh Premier League |24 |0 |0 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |26 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!53 !1 !0 !0 !3 !0 !0 !0 !56 !1 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
! 349 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 400 | 7 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Hereford United
- Conference National play-offs: 2006
Bristol Rovers
- Football League Two play-offs: 2007{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6686951.stm |title=Bristol Rovers 3–1 Shrewsbury |first=Chris |last=Bevan |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2007 |access-date=3 June 2025}}
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2006–07
Merthyr Town
- Southern Football League South & West: 2014–15
Hereford
- Midland Football League Premier Division: 2015–16
- Southern Football League South & West: 2016–17
- Midland Football League League Cup: 2015–16
- Herefordshire FA County Cup: 2015–16
- FA Vase runner-up: 2015–16
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10328~8345,00.html Ryan Green player profile] at bristolrovers.co.uk
- [http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10307~8345,00.html Ryan Green player profile] at wolves.co.uk
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Hereford F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Hereford F.C. managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Green, Ryan}}
Category:Footballers from Cardiff
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Wales men's international footballers
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Torquay United F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Hereford United F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Port Talbot Town F.C. players
Category:Merthyr Town F.C. players
Category:Hereford F.C. players
Category:Sutton United F.C. players
Category:Westfields F.C. players
Category:Cymru Premier players