Only three days after signing from AlfretonTown, Sheffield-born Ryan made a sensational start to his career in professional football. After coming on as a second half sub, the right-sided attacking midfielder took only eight minutes to open his Tigers account as he netted the fifth in our 6-1 demolition of Kidderminster Harriers on 27 September.

It was not just with his debut goal that Ryan immediately impressed his new KC audience, and quickly justified City's £15,000 investment as he was a regular member of the squad that won promotion from Division Three.

Ryan had made 199 appearances in his four seasons with Alfreton, and was a key figure in the Reds consecutive promotions over the previous two seasons to rise from the Northern Counties East League to the Unibond Premier Division.

His skills had already attracted the attention of a number of Football League clubs and seemed set for a meteoric rise to Division One in April 2003 following a trial at CoventryCity.

Although the move to the Sky Blues subsequently fell through, Ryan also had a close season trial at Chesterfield and there was also reported interest from Doncaster Rovers and MansfieldTown.

Still living in the Sheffield area and having completed his studies at Nottingham Trent University (he is a graduate in Sport & Exercise Science and Mathematics), Ryan eagerly grasped the opportunity to join the promotion-chasing Tigers and readily agreed a two-year deal.

Ryan failed to suffer any second season blues as the Tigers completed back-to-back promotions in 2004-05.

His personal highlight of a memorable campaign was the Tigers visit to Sheffield Wednesday a week before his 24^th birthday in December. On the Hillsborough books as a youngster, Ryan failed to clinch a YTS contract. In front of a crowd of over 28,000, it proved to be a fantastic night as City won 4-2 in a pivotal game of another successful season.

He soon settled in to the new demands of the Championship as his 25-yard strike against Brighton & Hove Albion at the KC Stadium in August triggered the Tigers first win at this level in 14 years.

Another string was added to Ryan's impressive bow in the second half of 2005-06 when, due to injuries, he enjoyed an extended run at right-back.

His versatility was further demonstrated in the two home games at Christmas in 2006 when he played behind the front two against Leicester City then at right-back against Burnley.

Ryan suffered the first major injury of his senior career in February when he ruptured cruciate ligaments in his left knee against West Bromwich Albion. This is set to keep him on the sidelines for the remainder of 2007.