| view Harley's match-by-match record |
| Ryan HARLEY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Signed on a two year deal in July 2013, having been released by mutual consent by Brighton, Harley declared that he was relishing a fresh start at Swindon after a frustrating time on the south coast, in which he made just twenty-one appearances in two years. At 28, Harley was a more senior member of the Town’s youthful squad, and he made his debut in the centre of midfield on the opening day of the season, in a 1-0 defeat at Peterborough. Though he missed the second match of the season with a groin niggle - a victory over Torquay in the League Cup - he stated that he felt he was settling in at Swindon, and he started each of the games until the end of August, when he was dropped to the beach for the home game with Crewe, manager Mark Cooper preferring the younger midfield trio of Yaser Kasim, Ryan Mason and Massimo Luongo. After the Town swept Crewe aside, thumping them 5-0, with Mason grabbing a hat-trick and Luongo netting another, Harley remained benched for the following two games - before a thigh injury picked up in training saw forced him of the squad completely. Though that knock was expected to keep him out for no longer than a fortnight, another knee problem extended his absence, and it was November before he returned to action - Cooper hailing his return as being like a new signing, saying that technically, he was a “fantastic” footballer. Harley spoke of his frustration at spending so long on the sidelines, and after substitute appearances in cup games against Macclesfield and Wycombe, he returned as one of a six-man midfield that Cooper employed for a 2-1 win at Colchester. Though this was the start of a run of six starts in seven games, Harley failed to hold down his place in the side, and over the Christmas period, he found himself benched again, starting only one game up to the middle of February. When he did return to action, Harley followed up a man-of-the-match performance against Crawley with his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at Crewe, and he remained in the side for the following month - before another injury, this time a locked hip, saw him sidelined again. Though he made the bench for a trip to Coventry, he didn’t feature again before the season was out. Early in the following pre-season campaign, manager Cooper declared that Harley was no longer in his plans, and though he was given squad number 17 for the new season, he was not selected for a single squad. During September, It was revealed that Harley was training with former club Exeter - when quizzed on the subject, Cooper simply stated that Harley wanted to train there, but that it was unlikely that he would join the Grecians due to their budget constraints. Finally, he joined the Devon club on loan in November, before signing on a permanent basis in January. PLAYING RECORD:
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date of birth
usual positions central midfield youth career senior career |
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