Ryan Watts

Ryan Dale Watts (born 18 May 1988) is an English retired semi-professional footballer who played as a left back or left winger.

Watts began his career in the Football League at Brentford and dropped into non-League football upon his release in 2006. He made nearly 300 appearances for a number of National, Isthmian and Southern League clubs before his retirement in 2015.

Club career

Brentford Watts began his career as a youth at Brentford. He was the leading appearance maker and joint-leading scorer for the U17 team during 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. Watts' first involvement with the first team came on 7 May 2005, when he was named as a substitute in a youthful squad for the final League One game of the 2004–05 regular season at home to Hull City. The then-16-year-old Watts made his senior debut after 78 minutes of the 2–1 win, as a substitute for Matt Harrold. He made three first team appearances during his time at Griffin Park.

Non-League football After two unsuccessful trials at Championship club Ipswich Town, Watts appeared sparingly for Isthmian League Premier Division and Conference South clubs AFC Wimbledon and Sutton United during the first half of the 2006–07 season. Watts transferred to Isthmian League Premier Division club Carshalton Athletic in January 2007 and made 39 appearances, scoring one goal. He transferred to Isthmian League Premier Division club Harrow Borough in 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 Year. In the 2010–11 season, Watts played in Harrow's 2–0 FA Cup first round defeat to Chesterfield and suffered heartbreak as the club lost to Tonbridge Angels in the playoff semi-finals. By the time of his departure in August 2011,

Barnet Wells made a return to the Football League when he signed a one-month contract at League Two club Barnet on 2 August 2011. He failed to win a call into a squad and was released at the end of his contract.

Return to non-League football Watts transferred to Southern League Premier Division club St Albans City in September 2011 and made 61 appearances, scoring three goals, prior to transferring to Conference Premier club Braintree Town on 17 December 2012. Watts spent the 2013–14 season with Conference South club Tonbridge Angels, for whom he made 29 appearances and scored one goal. Watts made 39 appearances during 14 months at Grosvenor Vale,

Coaching career As of June 2025, Watts was strength and conditioning coach at Hendon. As of December 2025, he was first team coach at Maidenhead United.

Personal life Watts has a son and works as a gym instructor and nutritionist.

Career statistics

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