Bryan Small

Playing career Small was born in Birmingham and began his career as a trainee at Aston Villa making his debut away at Everton in 1991–92. He played in 13 matches that season and made 15 appearances in 1992–93.

In 1993–94 Small played 12 times for Villa including two against Deportivo de La Coruña in the UEFA Cup. In the 1994–95 season he played five matches for Villa and had a loan spell at second city rivals Birmingham City where he played three times.

He left Villa in March 1996 for Bolton Wanderers where he made 16 appearances helping the club win the First Division in 1996–97. Small was unable to force his way into the team in the Premier League and spent time out on loan at Luton Town, Bradford City and Bury. At Bury he scored his only goal of his career against Sunderland.

In the summer 1998 Small moved to Stoke City where he made 43 appearances in 1998–99 as Stoke failed to claim a play-off place.

Personal life Small's nephew, Thierry Small, became Everton's youngest first-team debutant when he made a brief appearance in the FA Cup as a 16-year-old in early 2021, and turned professional later that year with Southampton.

Career statistics

Honours Bolton Wanderers Football League First Division: 1996–97