Richard Dryden
Encyclopedia
Richard Dryden is an English
former professional footballer.
, joining them as a professional in July 1987. He then joined Exeter City
in March 1989 after a brief loan spell with the club, where he first played under manager Terry Cooper.
During Dryden’s time at Exeter City
, he made a total of 92 appearances and also spent time on loan with Manchester City
. While at Exeter, he played a major part in their 1989–90 Fourth Division title triumph.
Notts County
was the next stop (from August 1991) for Dryden before moving on to Birmingham City
for £165,000 in March 1993, where he was re-united with Terry Cooper. After Birmingham City
, Dryden moved in December 1994 to Bristol City
, the rivals of his youth team club, Bristol Rovers
.
On the recommendation of Terry Cooper, now Southampton's chief scout, Dryden moved to Southampton
in August 1996 for £150,000. He made his debut on 18 August 1996 at home to Chelsea
and successfully marked Gianluca Vialli
out of the game in a 0–0 draw. Although he featured regularly in the first team under manager Graeme Souness
in 1996–97 (making 29 league appearances), the remainder of his time at The Dell was difficult as Southampton had 5 managers during the course of his 5 seasons with the club. He played a total of 54 games for the Premiership club
, scoring 4 goals. He will best be remembered at Southampton for the 3 spectacular goals he scored in their 1996–97 Coca-Cola Cup
run, especially for one against Oxford United
on 26 November, when he received the ball 35 yards from goal, cut inside and curled a shot from 20 yards into the top left corner.
He was also loaned out to Stoke City
, Northampton Town
and Swindon Town
loan while at Southampton.
He was signed on loan for Swindon Town
in November 2000 in a bid to tighten a poor defence. Dryden's spell at the club hardly started well - he was credited with an own goal on his debut, during a 3–0 loss at home against Stoke City
on 25 November. This was followed by two consecutive victories against Northampton Town
and Rotherham United
, but his final four appearances for Swindon all ended in defeat.
In February 2001, Dryden joined Luton Town
on a permanent contract and moved on to Scarborough
in July 2002 after playing for the club on loan earlier in the 2001–02 season.
May 2003 saw him join Worksop Town
for a brief spell before moving to Tamworth
.
, when Mark Cooper took charge of the club in April 2004. On 24 January 2007, Dryden's contract with Tamworth was terminated by mutual consent, at the same time as Mark Cooper's contract.
In March 2007, Dryden signed for Shepshed Dynamo
. In November 2007, he became manager of Conference North club Worcester City
but left this post on 17 January 2010. He was subsequently appointed assistant manager at Darlington
, but was dismissed together with Mark Cooper on 14 October 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer.
Playing career
A very experienced defender, Richard started his career in 1986 as a trainee with Bristol RoversBristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, joining them as a professional in July 1987. He then joined Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
in March 1989 after a brief loan spell with the club, where he first played under manager Terry Cooper.
During Dryden’s time at Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
, he made a total of 92 appearances and also spent time on loan with Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. While at Exeter, he played a major part in their 1989–90 Fourth Division title triumph.
Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
was the next stop (from August 1991) for Dryden before moving on to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
for £165,000 in March 1993, where he was re-united with Terry Cooper. After Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, Dryden moved in December 1994 to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, the rivals of his youth team club, Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
.
On the recommendation of Terry Cooper, now Southampton's chief scout, Dryden moved to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in August 1996 for £150,000. He made his debut on 18 August 1996 at home to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and successfully marked Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
out of the game in a 0–0 draw. Although he featured regularly in the first team under manager Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
in 1996–97 (making 29 league appearances), the remainder of his time at The Dell was difficult as Southampton had 5 managers during the course of his 5 seasons with the club. He played a total of 54 games for the Premiership club
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
, scoring 4 goals. He will best be remembered at Southampton for the 3 spectacular goals he scored in their 1996–97 Coca-Cola Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
run, especially for one against Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on 26 November, when he received the ball 35 yards from goal, cut inside and curled a shot from 20 yards into the top left corner.
He was also loaned out to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
and Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
loan while at Southampton.
He was signed on loan for Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in November 2000 in a bid to tighten a poor defence. Dryden's spell at the club hardly started well - he was credited with an own goal on his debut, during a 3–0 loss at home against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 25 November. This was followed by two consecutive victories against Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
and Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, but his final four appearances for Swindon all ended in defeat.
In February 2001, Dryden joined Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on a permanent contract and moved on to Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
in July 2002 after playing for the club on loan earlier in the 2001–02 season.
May 2003 saw him join Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
for a brief spell before moving to Tamworth
Tamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
.
Managerial career
Dryden was appointed assistant manager of TamworthTamworth F.C.
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system....
, when Mark Cooper took charge of the club in April 2004. On 24 January 2007, Dryden's contract with Tamworth was terminated by mutual consent, at the same time as Mark Cooper's contract.
In March 2007, Dryden signed for Shepshed Dynamo
Shepshed Dynamo F.C.
Shepshed Dynamo F.C. is a football team based in the small town of Shepshed in the North West of Leicestershire, England.Their home ground is called The Dovecote, which is situated on Butthole Lane. Football has been played on this ground for over 100 years...
. In November 2007, he became manager of Conference North club Worcester City
Worcester City F.C.
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Conference North and play at St George's Lane.-History:...
but left this post on 17 January 2010. He was subsequently appointed assistant manager at Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, but was dismissed together with Mark Cooper on 14 October 2011.