Ryan Blake

Ryan George Blake (born 8 December 1991) is an English former professional footballer who plays as a left back for club Virginia Water.

Blake is a product of the Brentford youth system and made one Football League appearance for the club. After his release in 2012, he dropped into non-League football. Blake was capped by Northern Ireland at youth level.

Career

Brentford A left back, Blake began his career in the Centre of Excellence at Brentford and signed a two-year scholarship during the 2008 off-season. He was an unused substitute on 19 occasions during the 2009–10 League One season and made what would be his only senior appearance for the club as a substitute for Lionel Ainsworth in a 1–1 draw with Yeovil Town on 24 April 2010. Blake found his first team chances limited during the 2010–11 season and was an unused substitute on just four occasions. He failed to feature at all under new manager Uwe Rösler and was released when his contract expired in June 2012.

Non-League football Following an unsuccessful trial with Lincoln City, Blake returned to then-Conference Premier club Ebbsfleet United on a permanent contract during the 2012 off-season. He made only eight appearances during his only full season with the club,

Blake transferred to Southern League First Division Central club Chertsey Town in August 2013 and was awarded the captaincy. He transferred Isthmian League Premier Division club Kingstonian during the 2014 off-season, but made only 8 appearances, with his final match coming in early December 2014.

Blake re-entered non-League football with Hellenic League Premier Division club Virginia Water in 2020.

International career Blake was capped by Northern Ireland at U19 and U21 level. Blake made his U21 debut on 3 September 2010, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Paddy McLaughlin in a 4–0 2011 European U21 Championship qualifying victory over San Marino. He made his second U21 appearance in a friendly against Wales on 9 February 2011, starting the match and playing an hour before being substituted.

Career statistics