Ryan France
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ryan France | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sheffield United | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
Ryan France (born 13 December 1980) is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sheffield United. His preferred position is on the right side of midfield.
Career
Alfreton Town
Born in Sheffield, France started his career at Alfreton Town. He had been courted by a number of league clubs but chose to remain with Alfreton until he had completed his degree at Nottingham Trent University where he graduated in Sport & Exercise Science and Mathematics. After an impressive start to the season, scoring 5 goals in 7 games, he was signed for Hull City by then manager Peter Taylor in September 2003 for a fee of £15,000.
Hull City
The day after signing for Hull, he scored on his debut (as a substitute) in a 6–1 victory over Kidderminster Harriers. France achieved the impressive feat of four consecutive promotions: 2001–02 and 2002–03 in non-league football with Alfreton and 2003–04 and 2004–05 with Hull City in the Football League.
In the 2006–07 season, France's versatility was demonstrated as he played in a variety of positions for City, including left-wing, right-back and central midfield. However, in February 2007, in a game against West Brom, France ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
When France appeared for Hull City against Arsenal in the Premier League during the 2008–09 season, he joined an elite band of players to have represented the same football club in all four divisions. By June 2009 however France, along with eight other players, was told he was being released by the club after six seasons.[1]
Sheffield United
Having been on trial at Sheffield Wednesday[2] and even scoring in The Owls' pre-season victory over Hartlepool United, he joined cross town rivals Sheffield United on 24 July 2009, signing a two year deal[3] after Wednesday manager Brian Laws decided not to offer him a contract due to doubts over his fitness.[citation needed] He made his debut for The Blades in the first game of the new season; a 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough.[4]
Personal
France is a big fan of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and watches them regularly.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Tigers Release Eight". hullcityafc.net. 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ^ "Owls boss to make decision on trialist France". thestar.co.uk. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Blackwell completes triple deal". sufc.co.uk. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ "Boro 0 - 0 Sheff Utd". bbc.co.uk. 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
External links
- Ryan France player profile at hullcityafc.net
- Ryan France at Soccerbase