Ryan Esson
Encyclopedia
Ryan Esson is a Scottish
professional football
goalkeeper currently playing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle
.
in the Scottish Premier League
. Debuting on 14 May 2000 in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock
, he became Aberdeen's first-choice keeper for 2000-01. After losing his place the following season, he had a brief loan spell at Rotherham United
in March to May 2002.
Esson did not play at all in 2002-03 and only twice in 2003-04, but played the majority of Aberdeen's games in 2004-05, and the former Scotland Youth and U21
international was an unused substitute when the senior side
played the USA
in November 2005.
His contract expired at the end of the 2005-06 season
, and after playing in 18 matches in the season, Esson decided to leave the club in order to get more first team games. His final appearance was against Celtic on 7 May 2006 where the match ended 2-2.
opener against Mansfield Town
, which finished 2-2. After playing in Shrewsbury's first six league matches he was dropped in favour of Chris Mackenzie
.
Whilst playing in a reserve fixture on September 18, 2006, Esson sustained a broken cheekbone, and it was later revealed that he would be sidelined for up to ten weeks.
Scott Shearer
was signed on loan from Bristol Rovers
to cover Esson's injury spell. Upon his recovery, Esson could not dislodge Shearer from the team, and Shearer played out the rest of the season as first-choice goalkeeper. In the League Two play-off final, Shearer was prohibited from playing against his parent club Bristol Rovers. Chris Mackenzie, who had played many more league games that season, was chosen ahead of Esson for the match.
At the end of the 2006-07 season Shearer left Shrewsbury, and the club signed Welsh international Glyn Garner
to be their first choice goalkeeper for the 2007-08
season. With a season left on his contract, Esson was told that he may leave should he have the desire and opportunity. However, with no firm offers from other clubs on the table, Esson opted to see out his contract at Shrewsbury Town, and try and win back the first choice goalkeeper's berth.
In 2007-08, Esson was used as Shrewsbury's goalkeeper for the first and second rounds of the League Cup
, where his highlight was an extra-time penalty save as Shrewsbury won 1-0 against Colchester United
. With Glyn Garner
firmly established as the club's number one goalkeeper, rumours linked Esson with a move back to Scotland. On January 30, 2008, Esson was released by Shrewsbury, after having the final six months of his contract paid off.
until the end of the season, as cover for the injured Michael Ingham
. He made his one and only appearance for the Bulls on the final day of the season, playing 90 minutes against Grimsby Town
. He was released by Hereford on 19 May 2008.
championship in 2010.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper currently playing for Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
.
Aberdeen
Esson started his career with his hometown club AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. Debuting on 14 May 2000 in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
, he became Aberdeen's first-choice keeper for 2000-01. After losing his place the following season, he had a brief loan spell at 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...
in March to May 2002.
Esson did not play at all in 2002-03 and only twice in 2003-04, but played the majority of Aberdeen's games in 2004-05, and the former Scotland Youth and U21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
international was an unused substitute when the senior side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
played the USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in November 2005.
His contract expired at the end of the 2005-06 season
2005-06 in Scottish football
The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill...
, and after playing in 18 matches in the season, Esson decided to leave the club in order to get more first team games. His final appearance was against Celtic on 7 May 2006 where the match ended 2-2.
Shrewsbury Town
He joined Shrewsbury Town on June 30, 2006 on a free transfer and made his début in the 2006-072006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
opener against Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, which finished 2-2. After playing in Shrewsbury's first six league matches he was dropped in favour of Chris Mackenzie
Chris MacKenzie
Christopher Neil Mackenzie is an English football player. He is a goalkeeper and plays for Alfreton Town in the Conference North.Mackenzie has also played for Hereford United and even scored a goal for them...
.
Whilst playing in a reserve fixture on September 18, 2006, Esson sustained a broken cheekbone, and it was later revealed that he would be sidelined for up to ten weeks.
Scott Shearer
Scott Shearer
Scott Shearer is a Scottish footballer who plays for Crawley Town as a goalkeeper.-Career:Born in Glasgow, Shearer began his career in Scotland with Albion Rovers before moving to amateur side Tower Hearts. He then returned to Albion before joining Coventry City in 2003...
was signed on loan from 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....
to cover Esson's injury spell. Upon his recovery, Esson could not dislodge Shearer from the team, and Shearer played out the rest of the season as first-choice goalkeeper. In the League Two play-off final, Shearer was prohibited from playing against his parent club Bristol Rovers. Chris Mackenzie, who had played many more league games that season, was chosen ahead of Esson for the match.
At the end of the 2006-07 season Shearer left Shrewsbury, and the club signed Welsh international Glyn Garner
Glyn Garner
Glyn Garner is a Welsh footballer who plays for Bath City as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Born in Pontypool, Garner started his career at Cwmbran Town before moving to Llanelli....
to be their first choice goalkeeper for the 2007-08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. With a season left on his contract, Esson was told that he may leave should he have the desire and opportunity. However, with no firm offers from other clubs on the table, Esson opted to see out his contract at Shrewsbury Town, and try and win back the first choice goalkeeper's berth.
In 2007-08, Esson was used as Shrewsbury's goalkeeper for the first and second rounds of the League 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...
, where his highlight was an extra-time penalty save as Shrewsbury won 1-0 against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
. With Glyn Garner
Glyn Garner
Glyn Garner is a Welsh footballer who plays for Bath City as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Born in Pontypool, Garner started his career at Cwmbran Town before moving to Llanelli....
firmly established as the club's number one goalkeeper, rumours linked Esson with a move back to Scotland. On January 30, 2008, Esson was released by Shrewsbury, after having the final six months of his contract paid off.
Hereford United
On 17 March 2008 he joined Hereford UnitedHereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
until the end of the season, as cover for the injured Michael Ingham
Michael Ingham (footballer)
Michael Gerard Ingham is a footballer who plays for York City as a goalkeeper.Ingham started his career with Northern Irish side Cliftonville before moving to England with Sunderland in the FA Premier League in 1999. He was loaned out by the club on eight occasions before eventually joining former...
. He made his one and only appearance for the Bulls on the final day of the season, playing 90 minutes against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He was released by Hereford on 19 May 2008.
Inverness CT
On July 15, 2008, Esson completed a free transfer to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, signing a two-year contract. He was a regular in the squad which won the First DivisionScottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
championship in 2010.