Ryan Watts

Ryan Dale Watts (born 18 May 1988) is an English football left back and left winger who is currently unattached. He began his career in the Football League at Brentford, before dropping into non-league football.

Career

Brentford

Watts began his career as a youth at Brentford. He was the leading appearance maker and leading scorer (along with Charlie Muldowney) for the U17 team in the 2003–04 season. Watts was part of the Brentford youth team which beat Arsenal in the third round of the 2004–05 FA Youth Cup, scoring an extra time equaliser to level the score at 2–2 and send the tie to penalties. Watts' first involvement with the first team came on 7 May 2005, when he was named as a substitute for the last League One game of the 2004–05 regular season at home to Hull City. Manager Martin Allen also gave a number of other young players their debuts in the game, including Darius Charles, Karleigh Osborne, Jerrome Sobers, Ryan Peters, George Moleski and Charlie Ide. The then-16-year-old Watts made his senior debut after 78 minutes of the 2–1 win, coming on for Matt Harrold. He failed to feature during Brentford's unsuccessful playoff campaign.

Watts made his first appearance of the 2005–06 season in a 5–0 League Cup defeat at Cheltenham Town on 23 August 2005, replacing Paul Brooker after 74 minutes. He made another appearance in a Football League Trophy first round shootout defeat to Oxford United on 18 October, replacing George Moleski (who in turn had replaced Eddie Hutchinson during the first half) during extra time. Watts was not called into the first team again and was released in June 2006. He made three appearances during his time with the Bees.

AFC Wimbledon

After an unsuccessful trial at Championship side Ipswich Town, Watts signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2006. His only appearance for the club came in a 2–1 Isthmian League Cup second round win over Hastings United on 12 September 2006. He departed the club in October 2006.

Sutton United

Watts signed for Conference South side Sutton United in October 2006 and made his debut for the club in a 2–2 draw with Cambridge City on 14 November, replacing Richard Harris after 67 minutes. After just one appearance for the club, Watts departed in January 2007.

Carshalton Athletic

Watts signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic in January 2007. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Boreham Wood on 3 February, replacing Laurent Hamici at half time during the 1-0 win. He made 12 league appearances in what remained of the 2006–07 season. Watts made regular appearances during the 2007–08 season and departed the club at the end of the campaign.

Harrow Borough

Watts signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Harrow Borough on 25 August 2008. He had a successful 2008–09 season and was voted the club's Player's Player Of The Season and Supporters' Player Of The Season. Watts made 35 appearances and scored four goals during the 2009–10 season. In the 2010–11 season, Watts appeared in Harrow's 2–0 FA Cup first round defeat to Chesterfield on 6 November 2010 and suffered heartbreak as Harrow lost to Tonbridge Angels in the playoff semi-finals. He made 43 appearances and scored four goals during the campaign. Watts departed the club in August 2011.

Barnet

Wells made a return to the Football League when he signed a one-month contract at League Two side Barnet on 2 August 2011. He failed to feature in the first team and was released at the end of his contract.

St Albans City

Watts signed for Southern League Premier Division side St Albans City in September 2011 and made 38 appearances and scored three goals during the 2011–12 season. He made 23 appearances during the 2012–13 season before leaving the club in December 2012.

Truro City (loan)

Watts joined Conference South side Truro City on loan on 1 July 2012. He returned to St Albans on 8 August, having failed to make a competitive appearance.

Braintree Town

Watts signed for Conference Premier side Braintree Town on 17 December 2012. Featuring mainly from the bench, he made 11 appearances during the remainder of the 2012–13 season as Braintree fought their way from the relegation places to a 9th-place finish.

Tonbridge Angels

Watts dropped to the Conference South to join Tonbridge Angels on 13 May 2013. Watts strained a hamstring and a calf in a friendly match against Gillingham during pre-season and missed the first two games of the regular season. He departed the club after the 2013–14 season, having made 29 appearances and scored one goal.

Metropolitan Police

Watts dropped a division to sign for Isthmian League Premier Division side Metropolitan Police in July 2014. He made 9 appearances before departing Imber Court on 19 September.

Wealdstone FC

Ryan signed for Wealdstone in mid-September 2014, making the step back up to Conference South level. He made 39 appearances in 14 months at Grosvenor Vale, leaving due to injury problems and work commitments.

Personal life

Watts has a son and works as a gym instructor.

Career statistics

Honours

• Harrow Borough Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
• Harrow Borough Supporters' Player of the Year: 2008–09

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