RYAN SHAWCROSS

'Ryan Shawcross' (born 4 October 1987 in Chester, England) is a Welsh footballer, currently playing for Stoke City on loan from Manchester United. His position is as a centre-back.

Contents

Early life and education

Football career

International honours

Trivia

References

External Links

Early life and education

Although he was born in Chester, England, Shawcross was raised in Buckley, Flintshire, and attended Elfed High School in Buckley, North Wales.
During his primary school days, Shawcross played representative level football for Flintshire Boys; this team counts Gary Speed, Michael Owen and Ian Rush amongst its former players.
Early in his Manchester United career, Shawcross made 22 appearances for the Under 17s, in 2003-04, scoring against Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers. The following season, 2004-05, he made five appearances for United’s Pontin's Holidays League Reserve side, that won the Division One West title.

Football career

In 2004-05, Shawcross made 21 appearances for the Under 18s, scoring against Everton on 5 March 2005.
During the 2005-06 season, Ryan made ten appearances in the F.A. Premier Reserve League and was a part of United's successful Reserve side that won the treble of the Manchester Senior Cup, F.A. Premier Reserve League North and F.A. Premier Reserve Play-off against Tottenham Hotspur Reserves.
On 25 October 2006, Ryan made his senior debut as a substitute for fellow debutant Michael Barnes in the League Cup 3rd Round encounter at Gresty Road, Crewe, coming on in extra-time in a 2-1 United win.
In January 2007, he was sent on loan to Royal Antwerp FC, where he appeared regularly, and helped Antwerp to make it into the Belgium playoffs, scoring 3 goals himself, before returning to Manchester in the summer.
On 9 August 2007, Shawcross was sent on loan again, this time to English Championship club Stoke City, for 6 months.^[1] He scored his first two goals for Stoke during his first two games, one on his debut during a 1–0 win on the opening day of the season, against Cardiff City.^[2] The other during a League Cup game against Rochdale in which Stoke lost on penalties.^[3]

International honours

Ryan has played for Wales Under-15s, against Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

Trivia

★ Ryan's footballing idol is Paul Gascoigne.

★ Ryan has one younger brother, Rory, who is also a defender, and represents Flintshire Schoolboys.

References

1. Shawcross Signs!
2. Cardiff 0-1 Stoke
3. Rochdale 2-2 Stoke City (aet)

External Links

★

★ Player profile at manutd.com