MALVERN TOWN | BOOTS BACK ON

It's a return to action for former Football League man, Ryan Brunt

With over 130 Football League appearances to his name, Ryan Brunt brought his playing career to an end just over four years ago… or so he thought!

The 31 year-old cut his football teeth within the youth ranks at Bristol City before moving to the Stoke City academy, from where he embarked upon a professional career that took in the likes of Luton Town, Tranmere Rovers, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, York City, Stevenage, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City.

After dropping into the non-League game, firstly with Bath City and then Chippenham Town, he decided to call time on his playing career in October 2020 at the age of just 27 due to increased work and family commitments.

However, a recent change in circumstances has meant that he has decided to put the boots back on, signing for Pitching In Southern League Division One South outfit, Malvern Town, and making his debut with a cameo appearance in The Hillsiders’ commanding 3-0 victory at League leaders, Yate Town, at the weekend.

“It’s something that I have been talking about with Tums [Malvern Town player, Joe Tumelty] for a while now,” he admitted. “Just after Christmas things fell into place where I had a little bit more time and flexibility in my life to get back involved, so I thought ‘why not’?

“The Gaffers, Lee Hooper and Stephen Cleal, were good enough to let me come and train with the team and, to be honest, I felt a bit sharper than I thought I would be!

“So we agreed quite quickly to get me involved here and I must say that I have been made to feel so welcome from the moment I first walked through the door.

“I just hope that I can add some value and experience to the team for the run-in to the end of the season.

“It was nice to get back out there on the pitch again on Saturday for the first time in over four years. My own contribution was short and sweet towards the end when we already had the game won, but it was just nice to be involved again. It was a good feeling!

“As for the game itself, it was a fantastic performance and victory over strong opponents with lots of experience and quality in their ranks.

“They are on course to win the League, but from start to finish we were impressive and it showed what it meant to everyone at the end. There’s such a great bond between the players, staff and supporters.”

So what qualities does the Birmingham-born front-man feel that he will bring to the team?

“I bring a presence up front,” he said. “I’m an old-fashioned target man, I guess. I’m a team player that will help in both boxes… and hopefully I can add some goals to that too!

“I am looking forward to being involved in this League because there is some good quality within it. We’re lucky enough to have a great 4G pitch, so the quality of the games will change from week-to-week depending on the pitches that we play on.

“I’ve been very impressed so far by the quality and intensity of training. That definitely comes from the enthusiasm and dedication of [Head of Coaching] Andy Bevan alongside the co-managers.”

We ended by talking aims and targets between now and the end of the season.

“From a personal point of view, it’s to get as fit as possible and try and contribute to the team as much as I can,” he replied. “As a team, we’ll be trying to secure a play-off spot; we have a good enough squad to do so, as was proved on Saturday, and with the current run of form, anything is possible.”

Having seen Tuesday evening’s game at Falmouth Town fall victim of the wet weather, Malvern Town return to action on Saturday with a home game against Helston Athletic.

IMAGE: Bath City FC

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