Ryan Inniss Explained

Ryan Inniss
Fullname:Ryan Stuart Clayton Inniss[1]
Birth Date:1995 6, df=y[2]
Birth Place:Penge, London, England[3]
Height:1.97m (06.46feet)[4]
Position:Centre back
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:2008–2013
Youthclubs1:Crystal Palace
Years1:2013–2020
Clubs1:Crystal Palace
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2013
Clubs2:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Luton Town (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2014
Clubs4:Gillingham (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2015
Clubs5:Yeovil Town (loan)
Caps5:6
Goals5:0
Years6:2015
Clubs6:Port Vale (loan)
Caps6:5
Goals6:0
Years7:2015–2016
Clubs7:Port Vale (loan)
Caps7:15
Goals7:0
Years8:2016–2017
Clubs8:Southend United (loan)
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Years9:2017–2018
Clubs9:Colchester United (loan)
Caps9:18
Goals9:0
Years10:2018–2019
Clubs10:Dundee (loan)
Caps10:11
Goals10:0
Years11:2019–2020
Clubs11:Newport County (loan)
Caps11:22
Goals11:1
Years12:2020–2023
Caps12:64
Goals12:4
Years13:2023–
Caps13:38
Goals13:1
Nationalyears1:2011
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2011–2012
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:22:43, 18 August 2024 (UTC)

Ryan Stuart Clayton Inniss (born 5 June 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Forest Green Rovers.

An England under-16 and under-17 international, he turned professional at Crystal Palace in 2011. He had a number of loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Luton Town, Gillingham, Yeovil Town, Port Vale, Southend United, Colchester United, Dundee and Newport County. He joined Charlton Athletic on a free transfer in October 2020, where he would make 72 appearances in close to three seasons. He signed with Forest Green Rovers in June 2023.

Club career

Crystal Palace

Inniss joined the Crystal Palace youth academy at the age of 14 and signed his first professional contract two years later.[5] He captained the club's youth team during the 2012–13 season.[6]

Cheltenham Town loan

Inniss joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on 1 August 2013 on a month-long loan;[7] this was later extended for a further month.[8] "Robins" manager Mark Yates said that Inniss had "been on our radar for six months now". Standing in for the injured Troy Brown, Inniss made his professional debut on 27 August 2013 in Cheltenham's 2–1 League Cup defeat against West Ham United. He impressed despite suffering a facial injury.[9] He made his first appearance in the English Football League four days later against Bury. On 13 September 2013, Inniss had his loan spell at Cheltenham terminated due to injury.[10] After recovering, he was an unused substitute for Crystal Palace in a 3–1 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League on 5 October 2013.[11]

Luton Town loan

On 10 January 2014, Inniss joined Conference Premier leaders Luton Town on a one-month loan, having been a "number one target" for "Hatters" manager John Still.[12] He scored with his first touch five minutes into his Luton debut in a 2–2 FA Trophy draw with Cambridge United.[13] He returned to Crystal Palace after playing in three matches for the club.[14] On 14 February 2014, he joined League One side Gillingham on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season,[15] making his debut against Sheffield United in a 1–0 defeat. He picked up an injury in the game, which limited him to just two further appearances for the "Gills".[16]

Yeovil Town loan

On 16 October 2014, Inniss joined Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal,[17] later extended until 20 December 2014.[18] "Glovers" manager Gary Johnson had signed him on the recommendation of Tony Pulis.[17] On 29 November, he was sent off for the first time in his career for a two-footed challenge on Kyel Reid in a 2–0 defeat by Preston North End at Huish Park.[19] On 6 January 2015, Inniss returned to Crystal Palace after being recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil having made six appearances.[20]

Port Vale loan

On 12 February 2015, Inniss joined Port Vale on a one-month loan deal.[21] He made his debut two days later, helping the "Valiants" to keep their first clean sheet in three months with a 1–0 win over Walsall.[22] He collected five yellow cards in five starts during his stay at Vale Park, helping the team to concede just two goals whilst he was on the pitch, but his loan spell was not extended as he damaged his ankle ligaments during his final appearance.[23]

After being linked with a return to Burslem for many weeks, his arrival on loan at Port Vale for the entirety of the 2015–16 season was confirmed on 27 July.[24] He started the 2015–16 season competing with Remie Streete and Richard Duffy for one of two available centre-back places.[25] He was in good form at the start of the campaign, and also managed to significantly improve his disciplinary record.[26] He dislocated his shoulder in September and returned to Selhurst Park for treatment, though his loan deal to Port Vale remained active.[27] He returned to Vale shortly after Christmas.[28] However, he picked up a hamstring injury in a home draw with Coventry City on 7 February, and was ruled out of action for three weeks.[29] He returned to Crystal Palace after a re-occurrence of his hamstring injury in a defeat to Barnsley on 28 March.[30] Page described him as "the unluckiest player I think I have ever met with injuries".[31]

Southend United loan

On 31 August 2016, he joined League One side Southend United on loan for the rest of the 2016–17 season.[32] He had a difficult start to the campaign, and after returning to Southend following his release from prison he went on to dislocate his shoulder in an FA Cup defeat to Millwall, and was ruled out of action for three months following surgery.[33] On 25 February, he was sent off for two yellow card offences in a 2–1 loss at Gillingham, though manager Phil Brown strongly criticised the decision and said it was "unbelievable refereeing".[34] On 4 April, he dislocated his shoulder for the second time of the season in a 1–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Roots Hall.[35]

Colchester United loan

On 31 August 2017, he joined League Two side Colchester United on loan for the rest of the 2017–18 season.[36] He made his Colchester debut in a 3–1 win over Crawley Town at the Colchester Community Stadium on 9 September.[37] He made 19 appearances for John McGreal's "U's" across the 2017–18 season and was named in the EFL team of the week for his performance in a 1–0 win at Barnet on 11 November.[38] [39]

Crystal Palace debut and Dundee loan

Inniss made his Crystal Palace debut on 28 August 2018, playing in the entirety of the club's 1–0 win at Swansea City in the EFL Cup.[40] He admitted his "surprise" at finally making his senior debut for the club and said "I can only thank those people at the club who have helped me off the field through some tough times".[41] However, manager Roy Hodgson did not name him in his 25-man Premier League squad,[42] and three days later he joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.[43] He started the season in the "Dens" starting eleven but fell out of the first-team picture after Jim McIntyre replaced Neil McCann as the manager in October.[44] He did manage to force his way back into the team in January, alongside Genséric Kusunga, after Darren O'Dea was suspended and Andrew Davies picked up an injury.[45] However, his loan at Dens Park was ended early on 31 January, with Inniss returning to Palace having played 13 games for Dundee.[46]

Newport County loan

On 23 August 2019, Inniss joined League Two side Newport County on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[47] On 31 August, he was praised[48] for his debut for Newport, being named in the starting line up and playing a positive role in the 2–0 League Two win against Forest Green Rovers.[49] His second appearance for Newport was as a 59th-minute substitute in the EFL Trophy 5–4 defeat against West Ham United U21s on 4 September, in which he was sent off for allegedly biting 18-year-old Reece Hannam.[50] [51] This was the second red received by Inniss during his career. Newport manager Michael Flynn stated after the match that if the accusation was true, it was "inexcusable and I will not be fighting his corner".[52] On 6 September, Inniss was charged with violent conduct by the FA. Inniss was available and played in Newport's next League Two fixture the following day, a 1–0 win against Port Vale.[53] He was subsequently suspended for five matches.[54] He scored his first goal for Newport in a 2–1 win over Bradford City at Rodney Parade on 22 February; he was also named on the EFL team of the week.[55] [56] However, he received his second red card of the season for a two-footed challenge on Joshua Kayode in a 2–0 defeat at Carlisle United on 10 March.[57]

Charlton Athletic

On 13 October 2020, Inniss joined League One club Charlton Athletic on a two-year deal; "Addicks" chairman Thomas Sandgaard said that "Ryan is a player that [director of football] Steve Gallen has been following for a very long time and he fits in with what [manager] Lee [Bowyer] and Steve are trying to do".[58] He was sent off for receiving two yellow cards in a 2–0 win over Oxford United at The Valley on 27 October.[59] The following month he injured a quad muscle in training and was sidelined for the next five months.[60] Speaking in April, new manager Nigel Adkins said that the defender's long-standing injury record would be addressed.[61] Inniss scored his first goal for the club on 4 May, in a 3–1 win against Lincoln City.[62]

A thigh issue caused him to be sidelined from late August until Christmas in 2021.[63] On 5 April 2022, he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on AFC Wimbledon midfielder George Marsh just seven minutes after entering the game as a substitute.[64] Manager Johnnie Jackson said that Inniss had made "a bad mistake" but stressed that it would not effect the decision whether or not to extend his contract in the summer.[65] Later that month he was recognised for his charity work as League One's 2022 PFA Player in the Community.[66] Despite featuring just seventeen times in the 2021–22 campaign, his contract was extended by a further year.[67] He made 38 starts and three substitute appearances in the 2022–23 season, receiving four red cards, though one was rescinded on appeal; his disciplinary record meant that he was suspended for a total of five games following his third non-rescinded red card.[68] On 13 May 2023, it was announced that Inniss would leave the club when his contract expired in June.[69]

Forest Green Rovers

On 16 June 2023, Inniss joined recently-relegated League Two club Forest Green Rovers, where manager Duncan Ferguson said "he's the type of player and profile I feel we need".[70] Inniss suffered a suffered a stress fracture in October and was sidelined for 12 weeks.[71] On 6 January, he was sent off after giving away a stoppage-time penalty in a 2–2 draw at Salford City.[72] On 24 February, he was sent off for a late foul on Connor Jennings in a 1–0 win over Tranmere Rovers at The New Lawn.[73] He played 38 games in the 2023–24 campaign despite injury and suspensions as the club were relegated back into non-League football.[74]

International career

Inniss has represented England at under-16 and under-17 level, scoring the winning goal in England U16's 2–1 Victory Shield win over Scotland U16 in 2011.[75] He is also eligible to represent Trinidad and Tobago at international level, through his Trinidadian-born father.[76]

Style of play

A vocal player, Cheltenham Town centre-back partner Steve Elliott described him as "a typical modern-day centre-half: tall, athletic and aggressive".[9] He has struggled with various injuries throughout his career.[77]

Personal life

Inniss had a troubled childhood, as his mother's drug dependency and his father's imprisonment left him to raise his two younger siblings as a teenager.[78] He has three police cautions: one for a public order offence in 2011, one for common assault in August 2015 and one for being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police constable in March 2015.[78] On 9 September 2016, Inniss pleaded guilty to assault following an incident in a bar four months earlier; he was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison.[79] He was released three days later after successfully appealing his sentence, which was suspended for 18 months; he was also handed 240 hours unpaid work, a £300 fine, and ordered to take part in a 20-day alcohol rehabilitation course.[80]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crystal Palace2013–14Premier League00000000
2014–15Premier League00000000
2015–16Premier League00000000
2016–17Premier League00000000
2017–18Premier League00000000
2018–19Premier League00001010
2019–20Premier League00000000
2020–21Premier League00001010
Total0000200020
Cheltenham Town (loan)2013–14League Two2000101040
Luton Town (loan)2013–14Conference Premier10002131
Gillingham (loan)2013–14League One3000000030
Yeovil Town (loan)2014–15League One6000000060
Port Vale (loan)2014–15League One5000000050
2015–16League One150002000170
Total200002000220
Southend United (loan)2016–17League One100100010120
Colchester United (loan)2017–18League Two180100000190
Dundee (loan)2018–19Scottish Premiership110200000130
Newport County (loan)2019–20League Two221300040291
Charlton Athletic2020–21League One131100000141
2021–22League One151100010171
2022–23League One362104000412
Total644304010724
Forest Green Rovers2023–24League Two360100010380
2024–25National League21000021
Total381100010401
Career total1956110901012257

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Newport County . English Football League . 47 . 23 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Player profile: Ryan Inniss . Cheltenham Town F.C . 8 September 2013.
  3. News: Palace defender Ryan Inniss: 'I'll never forget my debut' . Cawley, Richard . South London Press . 2 September 2013 . 8 September 2013.
  4. Web site: Ryan Inniss . Charlton Athletic F.C. . 30 September 2022.
  5. Web site: Three Crystal Palace kids that could attract Premier League clubs like Victor Moses and Wilfried Zaha . Talksport . 4 November 2012. 10 January 2014.
  6. News: Hatters sign Palace defender on loan . Luton Today . 10 January 2014 . 10 January 2014.
  7. News: Ryan Inniss: Crystal Palace defender joins Cheltenham Town . BBC Sport . 1 August 2013 . 8 September 2013.
  8. News: Inniss extends Robins stay . Sky Sports . 3 September 2013 . 8 September 2013.
  9. News: Cheltenham Town video: Inniss can enjoy big future at highest level – Elliott . Gloucestershire Echo . 30 August 2013 . 8 September 2013.
  10. News: Wilson in, Inniss out . Cheltenham Town F.C. . 13 September 2013 . 10 January 2014.
  11. News: Liverpool 3–1 Crystal Palace . BBC Sport . 5 October 2013 . 10 January 2014.
  12. News: Hatters loan Palace's Inniss . Luton Town F.C. . 10 January 2014 . 10 January 2014.
  13. News: Hatters denied Trophy victory by Cambridge United fightback . Luton Today . Johnston Publishing Ltd. . 11 January 2014 . 12 January 2014.
  14. News: Luton loan man Inniss returns to Crystal Palace. Luton Today . Johnston Publishing Ltd. . 12 February 2014 . 12 February 2014.
  15. Web site: Ryan Inniss Joins Gillingham . Gillingham FC . 14 February 2014.
  16. News: Cawdell. Luke. On-loan Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss hoping for Gillingham starting spot against Rotherham. 13 February 2015. Kent Online. 31 March 2014.
  17. News: Ryan Inniss: Crystal Palace defender signs for Yeovil Town . BBC Sport . 16 October 2014 . 16 October 2014.
  18. News: Ryan Inniss: Yeovil Town extend Crystal Palace defender's loan . BBC Sport . 17 November 2014 . 17 November 2014 .
  19. News: Yeovil Town 0-2 Preston North End. 31 August 2017. BBC Sport. 29 November 2014.
  20. News: Ryan Inniss recalled by Crystal Palace from Yeovil loan . BBC Sport . 6 January 2015 . 6 January 2015 .
  21. News: Ryan Inniss: Port Vale sign Crystal Palace defender on loan. 13 February 2015. BBC Sport. 12 February 2015.
  22. News: Baggaley. Mike. Walsall 0-1 Port Vale match report: Superb Vale stun Saddlers. 14 February 2015. The Sentinel. 14 February 2015.
  23. News: Baggaley. Mike. Injured Ryan Inniss 'unlikely' to return to Vale this season. The Sentinel. 9 March 2015.
  24. News: Ryan Inniss: Port Vale sign Crystal Palace defender on season's loan. 27 July 2015. BBC Sport. 27 July 2015.
  25. News: Competition keeps us on our toes, says defender Ryan Inniss. 17 August 2015. The Sentinel. 17 August 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150818125136/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale/story-27618343-detail/story.html. 18 August 2015. dmy-all.
  26. News: Record highlights defender's improvement, says boss Rob Page . 10 September 2015. The Sentinel. 10 September 2015.
  27. News: Baggaley. Mike. Ryan Inniss back at Crystal Palace with shoulder injury . 28 September 2015. The Sentinel. 28 September 2015.
  28. News: Baggaley. Mike. Port Vale: Ryan Inniss returns to Valiants. 27 December 2015. The Sentinel. 26 December 2015.
  29. News: Baggaley. Mike. Ryan Inniss out of action but escapes lengthy lay off. 11 February 2016. The Sentinel. 11 February 2016.
  30. News: Baggaley. Mike. Port Vale's Crystal Palace loan player Ryan Inniss is ruled out for rest of season . 31 March 2016. The Sentinel. 31 March 2016.
  31. News: Baggaley. Mike. On-loan Crystal Palace youngster Ryan Inniss suffers hamstring injury . 28 March 2016. The Sentinel. 28 March 2016.
  32. News: Ryan Inniss: Crystal Palace defender joins Southend United on loan. 31 August 2016. BBC Sport. 31 August 2016.
  33. News: Ryan Inniss: Southend United defender has shoulder surgery. 12 November 2016. BBC Sport. 10 November 2016.
  34. News: Phil Brown: Southend boss says referee should be 'brought to task' over performance. 31 August 2017. BBC Sport. 27 February 2017.
  35. News: Phillisp. Chris. On loan defender Inniss suffers dislocated shoulder during Blues' defeat to Bolton. 5 April 2017. Southend Echo. 5 April 2017. en.
  36. Web site: U's Flash:Inniss Added To Defence. www.cu-fc.com. 31 August 2017.
  37. Web site: Colchester United 3–1 Crawley Town . 9 September 2017 . BBC Sport . 9 September 2017 .
  38. Web site: Ryan Inniss - Players - Colchester United . www.coludata.co.uk . 6 April 2019.
  39. News: Team of the Week: 10th-12th November 2017 . 8 October 2019 . www.efl.com . 13 November 2017 . en-gb.
  40. News: Swansea City 0-1 Crystal Palace: Alexander Sorloth sends Eagles through . 1 September 2018 . BBC Sport . 28 August 2018.
  41. News: Warlow . Robert . Palace defender reflects on his debut after off-field troubles . 3 February 2019 . footballlondon . 29 August 2018.
  42. News: Thorogood . Tom . Roy Hodgson admits Ryan Inniss is likely to depart Crystal Palace . 1 September 2018 . Here Is The City . 1 September 2018 . en.
  43. Web site: Inniss Loaned to Dundee. cpfc.co.uk. 1 September 2018. 1 September 2018.
  44. News: Cran . George . No sulking for Ryan Inniss as he plots Dundee return . 3 February 2019 . Evening Telegraph . 7 January 2019.
  45. News: Dundee boss Jim McIntyre reveals defender played on Saturday despite being ill all week . 3 February 2019 . The Courier . 22 January 2019.
  46. News: Dundee's Ryan Inniss returns to Crystal Palace. Evening Telegraph. 1 February 2019. en-GB. 0307-1235.
  47. Web site: Ryan Inniss: Newport County sign Crystal Palace defender on loan. BBC Sport. 23 August 2019. 24 August 2019.
  48. Web site: The talking points from Forest Green Rovers 0 Newport County 2. South Wales Argus. en. 5 September 2019.
  49. News: Forest Green Rovers 0-2 Newport County . 31 August 2019 . BBC Sport . 31 August 2019.
  50. Web site: Palace's Inniss could face lengthy ban after allegedly biting opponent. 5 September 2019. Evening Standard. en. 2019-09-05.
  51. Web site: County's Ryan Inniss could face lengthy ban for alleged bite. South Wales Argus. en. 5 September 2019.
  52. Web site: Newport loanee accused of biting West Ham player. Coleman. Tom. 5 September 2019. walesonline. 5 September 2019.
  53. News: Ryan Inniss: FA charges Newport County defender with violent conduct. 6 September 2019. 6 September 2019. en-GB.
  54. News: Ryan Inniss: FA bans Newport County defender for five games . 13 September 2019 . BBC Sport . 13 September 2019.
  55. News: Baggaley . Michael . Port Vale ace and former Vale favourite in EFL team of week as Stoke miss out . 24 February 2020 . Stoke Sentinel . 24 February 2020.
  56. News: Newport County 2-1 Bradford City . 22 February 2020 . BBC Sport . 22 February 2020 . en-gb.
  57. News: Phillips . Rob . Carlisle United beat 10-man Newport County 2-0 . 4 April 2020 . BBC Sport . 10 March 2020 . en-gb.
  58. Web site: DONE DEAL: Ryan Inniss signs for Charlton . . 9 October 2020.
  59. News: Charlton Athletic 2-0 Oxford United . 13 May 2021 . BBC Sport . 27 October 2020.
  60. News: Mendez . Louis . Ryan Inniss set for a spell out as Charlton's defensive injury woes continue . 13 May 2021 . South London News . 21 November 2020.
  61. News: Spencer . Giles . Charlton boss Adkins determined to address Ryan Inniss' injury history . 13 May 2021 . South London News . 23 April 2021.
  62. News: Charlton 3-1 Lincoln. . 4 May 2021 . 5 May 2021.
  63. News: Mendez . Louis . Defender Ryan Inniss determined to earn contract extension at Charlton Athletic . 24 May 2022 . South London News . 10 January 2022.
  64. News: Brack . Edmund . 'He is two feet off the ground' – Dons boss Bowen on Charlton defender Ryan Inniss' red card . 6 April 2022 . South London News . 6 April 2022.
  65. News: Cawley . Richard . Will red card affect Ryan Inniss' chances of Charlton contract extension? Johnnie Jackson answers that question . 24 May 2022 . South London News . 8 April 2022.
  66. News: Ryan Inniss recognised with League One 2022 PFA Player in the Community award . 24 May 2022 . www.cafc.co.uk . 11 April 2022 . en.
  67. News: RETAINED LIST Club trigger one-year extension on Forster-Caskey contract . 24 May 2022 . www.cafc.co.uk . 10 May 2022 . en.
  68. News: Cawley . Richard . Charlton Athletic defender’s latest red card means he will miss rest of April fixtures as extra matches added to ban . 11 May 2023 . South London News . 17 April 2023.
  69. News: RETAINED LIST : SQUAD UPDATE . Charlton Athletic Official Site . 13 May 2023.
  70. News: Inniss Becomes First Summer Arrival . Forest Green Rovers Official Site . 16 June 2023.
  71. News: Horseman Confirms Inniss Injury . 12 May 2024 . fgr.co.uk . 14 October 2023.
  72. News: Salford City 2-2 Forest Green Rovers . 12 May 2024 . BBC Sport . 6 January 2024.
  73. News: Match Report: Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Tranmere Rovers . 12 May 2024 . www.tranmererovers.co.uk . 24 February 2024 . en-gb.
  74. News: Forest Green relegated to National League . 12 May 2024 . BBC Sport . 16 April 2024.
  75. Web site: Ryan Inniss . The Football Association . 8 September 2013 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227082102/https://www.thefa.com/england/All-Teams/Players/I/Ryan-Inniss. 27 December 2013.
  76. News: Baggaley. Mike. Ryan Inniss could follow Chris Birchall into Trinidad and Tobago team. 28 February 2015. The Sentinel. 28 February 2015.
  77. News: Cawley . Richard . Crystal Palace academy director Gary Issott gives fascinating insight into "fearless" Charlton defender Ryan Inniss . 13 May 2021 . South London News . 29 April 2021.
  78. News: Booker. James. Ryan Inniss 'on last chance' says Palace chief Steve Parish. 12 September 2016. Croydon Advertiser. 12 September 2016.
  79. News: Burnett. Tom. Former Vale star jailed for assault. 9 September 2016. The Sentinel. 9 September 2016.
  80. News: Baggaley. Mike. Ex Port Vale loan ace Ryan Inniss wins appeal against sentence. 12 September 2016. The Sentinel. 12 September 2016.