Wikipedia

Ryan Burge (footballer)

Ryan James Burge (born 12 October 1988) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder in the English Football League and National League.

Ryan Burge
Burge with the National League South title trophy
Personal information
Full name Ryan James Burge[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-12) 12 October 1988 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Cheltenham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Cadbury Athletic
Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Birmingham City 0 (0)
2008–2009 Barnet 1 (0)
2009 Machida Zelvia
2010 Worcester City[a] 1 (0)
2010–2011 Jerez Industrial[a] 13 (2)
2011 Doncaster Rovers[a] 1 (0)
2011 → Oxford United (loan)[a] 5 (0)
2011 Hyde[a] 0 (0)
2011–2013 Port Vale 30 (2)
2013–2014 Newport County 17 (2)
2016 Sutton United 17 (3)
2017 Eastleigh 5 (0)
Total 90 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He started his professional career under contract at Birmingham City, Barnet and Japanese side Machida Zelvia. He joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain in the summer of 2009. From there, he was sent out to Worcester City, Jerez Industrial, Doncaster Rovers, and Oxford United to gain first-team experience. In June 2011, he signed with Port Vale via Hyde (partners of the Hoddle Academy). He left Port Vale in April 2013 after falling out with the club's management and signed with Newport County for the 2013–14 season. After over 18 months out of the game, he signed with Sutton United in February 2016, helping the club to win promotion as champions of National League South at the end of the 2015–16 season, he left the club in December 2016 and joined Eastleigh for a brief spell four months later.

Career

edit

Early career

edit

Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire,[4] Burge spent a year at West Bromwich Albion, before playing alongside Daniel Sturridge at Cadbury Athletic.[5] He also had a spell with Coventry City.

Birmingham City

edit

After being tracked by both Manchester United and Manchester City, he began his professional career at Birmingham City, where he signed a three-year contract at the age of 17.[5][6] Following the departure of manager Steve Bruce,[7] Burge was released by Birmingham in March 2008.[1] He went on trial at League Two club Hereford United and League One side Cheltenham Town.[5] He was verbally offered a short-term contract by Cheltenham manager Keith Downing,[8] but the deal collapsed after Downing was replaced as the Cheltenham manager by Martin Allen.[9][10] He instead joined up with League Two side Barnet. He debuted for Barnet in the 4–0 home defeat by Notts County on 15 November 2008.[11] This was the only appearance he made before his time there was disrupted by appendicitis, which ruled him out for four weeks.[12] The club released him in January 2009.[13]

Searching for a new club

edit

In February 2009, Burge travelled to Japan, the birthplace of his step-mother,[14] in the hope of securing a contract with a J-League club. He spent a week trialling with Division Two side Avispa Fukuoka, followed by a trial period at Division One club Oita Trinita.[12] Top-flight sides F.C. Tokyo and Sagan Tosu also expressed an interest in Burge, as he was tested at Kokushikan University against players such as Hidetoshi Nakata.[10] He later joined third-tier side Machida Zelvia, where he made a handful of appearances.[15] Burge said that the clubs in Japan appreciate inexperienced but technical players and "they don't just go for big lumps that head it and kick people".[10]

Glenn Hoddle Academy

edit

In July 2009, Burge had to return to England to renew his visa to stay in Japan.[9] He participated in a pre-season friendly against Malmesbury Victoria for Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers. He was offered a contract but rejected it and joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain on a two-year deal, stating he felt it would help to improve his technical skill.[9][15] Burge scored the quickest goal in the academy's history, netting against Spanish side San Fernando after just 12 seconds.[16] In March 2010, Burge played once for Conference South club Worcester City, by arrangement with the academy.[17] In the 2010–11 season, Burge played for Jerez Industrial, the Spanish Tercera División club connected with the Glenn Hoddle Academy. He became established in central midfield after he recovered from numerous injury problems.[9] He was sent off twice in 13 games and won the club's Player of the Month award for October 2010.[18] They were in contention for promotion to the Segunda División B when a November 2010 article on the BBC Sport website described Burge as "the current star of the side".[19]

Doncaster Rovers

edit

Burge moved to Championship club Doncaster Rovers on a short-term deal on transfer deadline day, 31 January 2011.[20] He made his Doncaster debut as a second-half substitute in a 6–0 home defeat to Ipswich Town on 15 February 2011. That was to be his only appearance for the club.[21] On 17 March 2011, Burge joined League Two team Oxford United on loan for the rest of the season, after impressing in a reserve game against Colchester United which Oxford won 2–0.[22] He went straight into the starting line-up for the match against Crewe Alexandra two days later, and provided the assist for James Constable's winning goal.[23] His first performance at Oxford received praise in the local media.[24] A week later, Steve MacLean opened the scoring against Burton Albion. Burge reportedly claimed the goal after the ball took a deflection off his heel on its way into the net for what would have been his first Football League goal.[25] In mid-April 2011 Doncaster recalled him,[26] and a few weeks later they offered him a new deal.[27]

Hyde to Port Vale

edit

In June 2011 he signed a two-year deal with Micky Adams' Port Vale.[28] The League Two club had to pay Hyde a small undisclosed fee,[29] as the Conference North side secured his contract from their partnership with the Glenn Hoddle Academy.[30][31] He missed the start of the 2011–12 season with a knee injury,[32] and in November 2011 it was revealed that he would have to undergo surgery to correct the problem.[33] He did not feature in matchday squads for the rest of the season, and was transfer listed in May 2012.[34] The door to the first-team remained open though, after Burge had an encouraging and injury-free pre-season.[35]

He came off the bench on 14 August 2012 – his first competitive game for twelve months – and "pulled the strings to help Vale control the second half" in a League Cup defeat to Championship side Burnley.[36] He made his long-awaited league debut at Vale Park four days later, replacing Chris Shuker 79 minutes into a 3–0 win over Barnet.[37] Despite some impressive cameo appearances from the bench, a streak of wins kept Burge out of the first XI until 29 September 2012, when he made his first league start for the club at Valley Parade, in a 1–0 win over Bradford City.[38] He scored his first goal for the club in the Football League Trophy at the Bescot Stadium; his 20 yards (18 m) left-footed strike helped Vale to battle to a 2–2 draw with Walsall, though he missed his penalty in the shoot-out victory.[39] He opened the scoring in a 2–2 home draw with York City on 17 November 2012,[40] and was selected on the League Two Team of the Week for his performance.[41]

He established himself in central midfield over the New Year with "a string of impressive performances".[42] However, on 12 March 2013 he missed a pre-match team meal, but claimed he made his own way for the match against Bristol Rovers, only to be informed that he was not in the matchday squad when he was just five minutes away from Bristol.[43] He took to Twitter to put his side of the story across, and an angry Micky Adams responded by saying Burge's tweets were "absolute nonsense and he's going to be disciplined".[44] Burge was suspended for two weeks for breaking the club's "social media guidelines" after club management claimed he refused to apologise for the incident.[45] On 12 April 2013, with three games left of the season, Burge left the club by mutual consent.[46] Club chairman Paul Wildes stated that "this has been a difficult decision for both parties".[47] Vale secured promotion into League One at the end of the 2012–13 season.

Newport County

edit

Burge was linked with a move to Peterborough United in May 2013, though also stated that "I am confident I could do a job at Championship level".[48] He also had a trial spell with Burnley.[49] He eventually signed a contract with League Two side Newport County on 30 August 2013.[50] Illness and injuries limited his contribution at the beginning of the 2013–14 season.[51] He impressed in central midfield during the second half of the campaign and manager Justin Edinburgh was reported to have opened talks to extend Burge's stay at Rodney Parade beyond the summer.[52] Despite these reports, Burge left the club in May 2014.[53][54]

In June 2014, he was reported to have agreed terms with South African side Bidvest Wits of the Premier Soccer League, but the move was never completed.[55] He had a trial with Cheltenham Town in March 2015 and impressed in a reserve game against Plymouth Argyle after being out injured for the season, but the club was unable to offer him a contract, even though his grandad was on the board.[56]

Sutton United

edit

In February 2016, Burge signed with National League South club Sutton United on a contract running until summer 2017.[57] He contributed three goals in five games as the U's won promotion into the National League as champions of the Southern Division in 2015–16.[58] He was forced to miss the rest of the season after his ankle ligaments were damaged from a heavy challenge he received during a 2–0 win at Wealdstone on 22 March.[59] Burge made his National League debut in a 1–1 draw with Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn on 9 August.[60] On 9 December 2016, Burge was released by Sutton United as he looked to continue his career nearer to his Cheltenham home.[61]

Eastleigh

edit

Burge signed with National League side Eastleigh on 13 March 2017; caretaker manager Richard Hill said that "he likes to pass the ball and move well".[62] He played five games for the "Spitfires" before being sidelined with an ankle injury.[63]

At the age of 28, Burge applied for the vacant managerial post at Port Vale following the dismissal of Michael Brown in September 2017.[64]

Style of play

edit

Keith Downing described Burge as "aggressive" and that he is "technically good and has a good frame".[5] After arriving at Port Vale in June 2011, Vale manager Micky Adams stated, "Ryan is a creative central midfielder and will bring plenty of quality on the ball, but he is also a very hard-working individual".[65] Neil Duncanson, the Glenn Hoddle Academy's commercial director said: "Ryan is very strong, powerful and suited to the front of a diamond in central midfield. He's a creative player who can take an excellent dead ball".[65] Burge has said of himself that "I'm a midfield player who likes to put my foot in, as well as to get on the ball and create things. I try to be an all-round midfield player and do a bit of everything".[7]

Business career

edit

Burge set up his own fashion label, Ten Club London, and sold the naming rights to American rock band Pearl Jam in 2018.[66]

Personal life

edit

His grandfather, Rod Burge, was a member of Cheltenham Town's board of directors for over 25 years before his death in April 2014.[67]

Career statistics

edit
Club Season Division League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2005–06[68] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006–07[69] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08[70] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barnet 2008–09[71] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Worcester City 2009–10[72] Conference South 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Jerez Industrial 2010–11[73] Tercera División Group X 13 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 2
Doncaster Rovers 2010–11[74] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Oxford United (loan) 2010–11[74] League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Hyde 2011–12[72] Conference North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Port Vale 2011–12[75] League Two 0 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 2 0
2012–13[76] League Two 30 2 2 0 1 0 2[a] 1[a] 35 3
Total 30 2 2 0 2 0 3 1 37 3
Newport County 2013–14[77] League Two 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 2
Sutton United 2015–16[78] National League South 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3
2016–17[78] National League 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Total 17 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 3
Eastleigh 2016–17[78] National League 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Career total[b] 90 9 3 0 2 0 3 1 98 10
  1. ^ a b c Appearance/s and goal/s in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ Statistics for Machida Zelvia not recorded.

Honours

edit

Port Vale

Sutton United

Notes

edit
a. ^ Burge's spells at Worcester City, Jerez Industrial, Doncaster Rovers, Oxford United, and Hyde took place under an agreement with the Glenn Hoddle Academy, to which he was contracted during this period.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Ryan Burge". ESPN FC. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Height: 183cm".
  4. ^ "Ryan Burge". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d "Dream come true for Ryan". Gloucestershire Echo. 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Ryan Burge". Doncaster Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Burge on Deal". Port Vale F.C. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
  8. ^ "2.34pm – Burge and Hayles agree new deals with the Robins". Gloucestershire Echo. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d "Burge aims for the big time after agreeing Donny deal". Gloucestershire Echo. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "New dawn for Ryan in the land of the rising sun". Gloucestershire Echo. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  12. ^ a b Rogers, S. (21 February 2009). "Burge's Japanese adventure". Gloucestershire Echo. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  13. ^ Signy, Dennis (4 January 2009). "Ryan Burge Moves On". Barnet F.C. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012.
  14. ^ Shaw, Steve (20 July 2011). "New Boy Burge Happy to Settle Down at Last". The Sentinel.
  15. ^ a b Palmer, Jon; Herbert, Jonathan (17 September 2009). "Cheltenham footballer snapped up by Hoddle". Gloucestershire Echo. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Winning Start for Glenn Hoddle Academy Season". Glenn Hoddle Academy. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009.
  17. ^ Carley, Steve (14 March 2010). "Bromley 2 Worcester City 0". Worcester News. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Ryan Burge: Mejor Jugador del Mes Octubre 2010" [Ryan Burge: Best Player of the Month October 2010] (in Spanish). Jerez Industrial CF. 14 November 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2011. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ Minshull, Phil (18 November 2010). "Jerez, Hoddle and a British takeover". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  20. ^ "Doncaster Rovers sign Ryan Burge and Joseph Mills". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  21. ^ "Match Report: Doncaster Rovers 0 Ipswich Town 6". Sheffield Star. Sheffield. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  22. ^ "Oxford United sign Doncaster Rovers' Ryan Burge on loan". BBC Sport. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  23. ^ "Oxford United 2–1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Burge is proving a pass Master". Oxford Mail. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  25. ^ Murray, Jon (1 April 2011). "Burge was claiming goal". Banbury Cake. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  26. ^ "Burge back with Rovers". Sky Sports. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  27. ^ Mortley, Chris (19 May 2011). "Defensive Duo Released". Doncaster Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
  28. ^ "Ben Williamson and Ryan Burge join Port Vale". BBC Sport. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  29. ^ "Port Vale: Burge targets promotion as he signs on at Vale". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  30. ^ "Double Swoop for Adams". Port Vale F.C. 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
  31. ^ "New Signings". Hyde F.C. 28 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 August 2011.
  32. ^ "Port Vale: Old pals prepare to clash as Vale take on Gills". The Sentinel. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  33. ^ "Port Vale: Striker Williamson facing lengthy spell on sidelines". The Sentinel. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  34. ^ "Contracts latest". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 8 May 2012. [dead link‍]
  35. ^ "Transfer-listed Burge still has chance with Vale". The Sentinel. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Match stats v Burnley". The Sentinel. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  37. ^ "Port Vale sealed a comfortable opening-day victory over disappointing Barnet". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  38. ^ "Bradford City 0–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  39. ^ "Match report v Walsall". The Sentinel. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  40. ^ "Port Vale 2–2 York". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  41. ^ "Midfielder makes the cut". Port Vale F.C. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  42. ^ "Burge ready to pit his skills against Dutch master". The Sentinel. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  43. ^ Pearson, Guy (14 March 2013). "Burge returns to Port Vale squad". The Sentinel. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  44. ^ Pearson, Guy (13 March 2013). "Adams blasts critics after defeat". The Sentinel. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  45. ^ "Two-week ban for Burge the defiant". The Sentinel. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  46. ^ Pearson, Guy (12 April 2013). "Ryan Burge leaves Port Vale by mutual consent". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  47. ^ "Port Vale: Ryan Burge released by the club after Twitter row". BBC Sport. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  48. ^ "Free agent Ryan Burge drops hint about rejoining Peterborough". Sky Sports. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  49. ^ "Family comes first, claims Vincent after Robins move". The Sentinel. 21 July 2013.
  50. ^ Penman, Andrew (30 August 2013). "County snap up midfielder Ryan Burge". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  51. ^ "Ryan Burge ready to hit top gear in Newport County's promotion bid". Wales Online. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  52. ^ Penman, Andrew (5 April 2014). "Exiles ace Ryan Burge in talks over new contract". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  53. ^ "Newport County: Mike Flynn in talks over new contract". BBC Sport. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  54. ^ Penman, Andrew (7 May 2014). "I'm no troublemaker, says Ryan Burge after Exiles exit". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  55. ^ Crann, Joe (3 June 2014). "Burge Agrees Terms With Wits". soccerladuma.co.za. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  56. ^ Young, James (26 March 2015). "Cheltenham Town sign Derby County striker Shaquille McDonald ahead of transfer deadline". Gloucester Echo. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  57. ^ "Cheltenham footballer Ryan Burge signs for Sutton United". Gloucteshire Echo. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  58. ^ a b "Sutton United clinch promotion to the National League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  59. ^ Ashton, Tim (22 March 2016). "SUTTON UNITED: Burge's season-ending injury woe". Sutton Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  60. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 1 Sutton United 1". BBC. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  61. ^ "FA Trophy preview and squad news". Sutton United FC. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  62. ^ "Ryan Burge: Eastleigh sign former Port Vale and Newport midfielder". BBC Sport. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  63. ^ Baggaley, Michael (18 September 2017). "You're kidding! Ex team mates react as Ryan Burge applies for Port Vale job". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  64. ^ Palmer, Jon (17 September 2017). "Cheltenham footballer to apply for Port Vale manager's job". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  65. ^ a b "Adams makes double player swoop". The Sentinel. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  66. ^ Palmer, Jon (26 April 2018). "Footballer's fashion trademark bought by American rock giants". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  67. ^ Brown, James (15 February 2012). "Who's Who". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  68. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  70. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  71. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  72. ^ a b "Ryan Burge Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  73. ^ "Jerez Industrial C.F. Senior Plantilla 2010/11". lapreferente.com. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  74. ^ a b "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  75. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  76. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  77. ^ "Games played by Ryan Burge in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  78. ^ a b c Ryan Burge at Soccerway
  79. ^ "Burge pride in Vale glory". Sky Sports. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ryan_Burge_(footballer)&oldid=1257816633"