Ryan guns for number one spot after signing pro for National League's 'Shots'

The former Newport player, who grew up on the Isle of Wight, captained the National League side when he made his debut in the FA Trophy against Bedford last year.

Ryan Hall signing his first pro contract for Aldershot Town. Photo: Ian Morsman.

Ryan, who attended Nine Acres Primary and The Bay School, Sandown, has been at Aldershot three years — starting in the club’s academy and spending most of the last campaign training with the first team.

The 19-year-old, of Wootton, was with Newport Colts and played 12 times in the first team, between 2017 and 2018, when part of the Portsmouth FC Academy, with MK Dons keeper, Stuart Moore, before he was taken on by the Shots, via Wimbledon.

Ryan in action for Newport two years ago. Photo: Simon Dear

Ryan’s reward for his work last season earned him his dream deal.

He said: “I’ve always wanted to be a keeper since I was a young lad. I loved it, so to achieve my goal is a dream come true.

“Seeing the likes of goalkeepers Stuart and Simon Moore from the Island do so well, made me realise that’s exactly what I wanted to do.

Ryan with Aldershot boss Danny Searle and his mum.

“I’ve worked my way up through the academy system, so it’s really good to finally get there.

“This season, I’ll be trying to get as much game time as possible and make my league debut.

“I want to be the club’s number one. The experience I’ve gained training with the first team showed me the standards I needed to reach.

“I’m very excited and more than ready for the challenge.”

Ryan warming up with the Aldershot first team on match day last season.

Aldershot Town's goalkeeping coach, David Blackmore, said Ryan had great attributes to be a top keeper like the Moore brothers.

"Ryan is a fantastic shot stopper and distributor of the ball — his kicking especially," said David.

"For someone so young, he has a great attitude and is one of the hardest working goalkeepers I know.

"If he continues to keep working hard and developing the way he is, he will have a long and successful career in the game."

Ryan with Shots manager, Danny Searle.

Gareth Bricknell, Ryan’s PE teacher and mentor at The Bay School, was delighted for him.

“Ryan’s attitude is spot on. He’s quietly determined, resilient and very mature — not one of those in your face types,” he said.

"I helped guide Ryan through school — not just with his football, through the Bay's performance academy, but also his academic work.

"When he had the setback of being released by Pompey Academy, he was very, very mature about it throughout and almost saw it as an opportunity, rather than a setback — knuckling down and using it as a springboard to better things.

"What I really liked about Ryan at the Bay was that he was not just a 'one sport Billy'. He played as many sports as he could and was a talented cricketer — captaining the school team.

"Ryan always offered his help to younger students.

"Through our high performance academy, having students there being a part of it like Simon and Stuart Moore — who have both gone on to become top goalkeepers — was an inspiration to Ryan.

"His achievement at Aldershot is great for him, the Island and the school."