A selection of highly rated youngsters have come and gone at Arsenal, but few head to pastures new with regrets from the coaching staff. Ryan Garry is one of those. The Hornchurch born defender showed every promise he could be a top level centre back, but years of frustrating and unlucky injuries saw his top level career end prematurely.
Garry was noted as the star of the 1999-2000 scholars, having impressed in the youth team as a versatile and cultured defender. He continued his development and after signing professional forms, he made his first-team debut against Sunderland in the Carling Cup. Although he suffered from a selection of minor injuries, Ryan earned his Premier League debut in the now legendary 6–1 win over Southampton. The game marked the start of the 49 unbeaten run.
That 90 minutes and a scattering of youth appearances for England proved to be the only highlight of his career. For the next four campaigns he would experience awful luck with shin splints and although he twice looked to have over come the problems, the issues returned after three Reserve run outs. Ahead of the 2007-2008 season, Ryan was not offered a new contract and was released.
With such a strong reputation as a quality centre half before his fitness problems, there was no shortage of potential suitors. Garry decided to join Bournemouth on a 6 month deal in which he aimed to prove he could remain injury free and be a useful asset. Although he had a slow start, he completed the Christmas period as a regular and penned a new deal to the end of the season. However, the bad luck continued as he suffered a broken leg and missed the end of the term.
Bournemouth kept faith in their man and handed him a new, longer term contract. He impressed and featured more and more in the side. To date Ryan has over 60 appearences under his belt and he will look forward to featuring in League One next season after the Cherries won promotion.
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Shame that Ryan Garry was allway injured because he was a very good player IMO.
I go to watch many Bournemouth home games and this guy stands out at the back. Am always impressed with him, especially after recovering from so many injuries.
unlucky lad with injuries
As a bmth season ticket holder i think he is an absolutely quality player who could have made a regular in the prem if it weren’t for injuries.
At the time Arsenal were willing to let Ashley Cole go permanently to Crystal Palace because they thought that Ryan Garry was the real Deal. That’s how good he was.
His career at Arsenal should have been a brilliant one for a disguting tackle during a reserve game against Ipswich ( I think). His leg was broken and for the following four years he was unable to get more than three games without suffering some kind of relapse or other unfortunate injury.
With time I am pretty sure that he will be back at a premiership level. As a centre half he has less pressure to run and that should help him stay injury free.
Spot on