Ryan Dow is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Dunfermline Athletic. A product of the Dundee Unitedyouth system, he turned professional in 2007. After making his first team debut in 2011, he went on to become a first team regular after a spell on loan to Forfar Athletic. He left Dundee United in the 2016 close season and signed for Ross County in September. Dow moved to Peterhead during the 2018–19 season, initially on loan. In May 2019 he signed for Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year contract.
Early life
Ryan Dow was born in Dundee on 7 June 1991. He attended Harris Academy in the city, and was part of the school football team that won the Scottish Schools' Shield in 2005. having previously been attached to Dundee as a youth player, Dow joined Dundee United in 2005, going on to sign a professional contract in June 2007.
Playing career
Dundee United
Dow's first involvement with the Dundee United first team came in July 2007, when he appeared as a substitute in a pre-season friendly against Airdrie United. Over the next three years he established himself in the Dundee United youth and reserve sides, and was top scorer for the under-19 team in season 2008–09. It was announced in July 2009 that Dow would be joining Forfar Athletic on loan, but the move was never completed. Dow made his competitive debut for the Dundee United first team on 1 May 2010, at home to Rangers. After coming on as an early substitute, he set up United's goal in the 2–1 defeat. Dow was named man of the match and, shortly afterwards, he signed a contract extension until 2012. Dow was named in 12 matchday squads during the 2010–11 season, but made only one substitute appearance, against St Mirren in November 2010. He was loaned out to Forfar Athletic in March 2011 for the remainder of the season, to gain experience. He made twelve appearances for the Second Division club, scoring three goals and helping them reach the promotion play-offs. Dow later described his time at Forfar as "a great experience... It does toughen you up when you go down to the lower leagues". Over the next two seasons, Dow began to feature more regularly in the Dundee United squad. He scored his first goal for the club on 20 September 2011, when he opened the scoring in a Scottish League Cup tie against Airdrie United. He signed an extended contract in October 2011, keeping him at Dundee United until 2014. His first league goal came on 11 May 2013, in a 2–1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Dow began to play more regularly after Jackie McNamara became Dundee United manager in 2013. He was selected to start in the first match of the 2013–14 season, ahead of more established players like Gary Mackay-Steven. As the season progressed, Dow was often selected in the middle of a front three formation, despite strong competition for the attacking positions in the team. He later had an extended run in the first team and scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win over Motherwell on 21 February 2014. His second goal came on 26 March 2014, as Dundee United beat Inverness 2–1. Then, on 26 April 2014, Dow scored his third goal of the season in a 5–1 win over Motherwell. On 13 May 2014, Dow signed a new contract until 2016, ending three months of negotiations. A few days after signing his new deal, Dow started in the Scottish Cup Final, as Dundee United lost 2–0 to St Johnstone. Dow was released by Dundee United at the end of the 2015–16 season, with the club having been relegated to the Scottish Championship.
Ross County
Dow signed for Ross County on 9 September 2016, having recovered from injury. He extended his contract with Ross County for a further two years in May 2017. Dow left Ross County on 3 January 2019, by mutual consent having made 54 appearances for the club scoring only 1 goal.
Peterhead
On 14 September 2018, Dow joined Scottish League Two side Peterhead on loan until January 2019. On 3 January 2019, he left Ross County and joined Peterhead on a free transfer.
Dunfermline Athletic
Following a successful spell with Peterhead, it was announced on 14 May 2019, that Dow had signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win away to Scottish Premiership side St Mirren in the group stage of the League Cup.
