Club Career: Signed by Tommy Docherty for Derby County from Bohemians in 1977 (for £40,000), leaving a year later for Alan Mullery's Brighton (£80,000) where he spent the rest of his career. Was a member of the team that won promotion to the old First Division and was a substitute in the 1983 FA Cup final (and replay) against Manchester United. Suffered a horrific compound fracture of the leg playing against Crystal Palace in September 1984, forcing him to retire before he was 30. Returned to the club in the early 1990s as Liam Brady's assistant manager.
International Career: Won 18 caps between 1978 and 1984, making his debut in a 4-2 win against Turkey at Lansdowne Road (David Langan, Noel Synott, Maurice Daly, Ashley Grimes, Paul McGee and Dundalk's Synan Braddish made their debuts on the same day). Scored his only senior international goal against West Germany in a 1979 friendly in Dublin (lost 3-1). A month after his final cap, against Mexico at Dalymount Park, injury ended his playing career.
Where Is He Now? Ryan used the funds from his Brighton testimonial 13 years ago to buy an 18th century old coaching house with a haunted past . . . The Witch Inn in Lindfield, Sussex, which he still owns and runs. Has lived in the Sussex area for 21 years now and his son Darragh, a Republic of Ireland under-18 international, is a professional at Brighton. Gerry does some coaching at the local Ardingly College and runs a Sunday League team.
