Ryan was one of five brothers who played at South Adelaide during the 1920s and 1930s.

He played the next five years with South Adelaide, after joining the club in 1963.

He also did not play league football for South Adelaide, due to a hamstring injury.

Only South Adelaide has had a longer drought with their last premiership win being 1964.

In 1971 and 1972 he was the non-playing coach of South Adelaide.

He also topped South Adelaide's goalkicking once, with 44 goals in his final season.

He later served as coach of South Adelaide and also played briefly for the club.

He continued playing with the club until 1911, when he joined South Adelaide.

In South Adelaide, Australia, a hospital created a "violence management team."

As playing coach with South Adelaide he played 47 games in 1983-1984.