Neil Ryan
Neil Ryan is an English football coach and former player who played as a defender. He played professionally in the USL A-League.
The son of former footballer Jimmy Ryan, Neil started his early football career playing at Luton Town in 1991 he was a youth team player for two seasons and eventually turned professional in 1994. His professional contract with Luton ended in 1995 and he then moved to the United States and signed with the Richmond Kickers of the USISL Select League. He then moved through several teams in succession. In 1998, he signed with the Worcester Wildfire, but half of the season on loan with the Cape Cod Crusaders of the USISL D-3 Pro League. In the fall of 1998, Ryan moved indoors with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League. He spent two indoor seasons with the Wings. He returned to the outdoor game in 2000 with the Worcester Wildfire, but moved to the Cape Cod Crusaders in June 2000. In 2001, Ryan finished his American career with the Portland Timbers.
In November that year, Ryan returned to England and joined Altrincham F.C. of the semi-professional Northern Premier League. He made his first appearance on 12 December 2001 in the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup. Ryan left Altrincham in September 2003. He played one game for Trafford F.C. in the autumn of 2003.
In July 2018, after 11 years working in various roles within the Manchester United academy, Ryan was appointed as the head coach of the club's under-18 side.
