Ryan Blake

Brentford

A left back, Blake began his career with League One side Brentford, signing a scholarship deal in the summer of 2008. His maiden call into the first team squad came on 8 August 2009 for the opening game of the season against Carlisle United. Along with other youngsters Fraser Franks and Lewis Ferrell, Blake remained on the bench during the 3–1 victory. He was an unused substitute on 19 occasions throughout the season and made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Yeovil Town on 24 April 2010, when he replaced Lionel Ainsworth after an hour. With the expected departure of first-choice left-back Ryan Dickson at the end of the 2009–10 season, Blake stated that "I'd definitely like to think I could battle for a first team spot next season", with manager Andy Scott in agreement.

Despite signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2010, Blake found his first team chances limited during the 2010–11 season and was an unused substitute on just four occasions. Blake signed new a one-year contract to be part of the Development Squad for the 2011–12 season and made 9 appearances, scoring one goal. Spending much of the season out on loan, Blake failed to feature at all for the first team under new manager Uwe Rösler during the 2011–12 campaign and was released when his contract expired in June 2012.

Woking (loan)

Blake and Brentford teammate Kyle Vassell moved to Conference South side Woking on one-month loans on 2 October 2010. He made four appearances during his spell and returned to Brentford on 2 November.

Ebbsfleet United (loan)

Following recovery from an injury, Blake signed for Conference South side Ebbsfleet United on loan on 11 January 2011. He made 12 appearances during his loan and returned to Brentford on 20 April.

Farnborough (loan)

Blake signed for Conference South side Farnborough on a one-month loan on 28 October 2011. He made five appearances during his spell and scored the equaliser in a 3–1 away league victory over Salisbury City on 19 November. He returned to Brentford on 29 October after his loan expired.

Hampton & Richmond Borough (loan)

Blake signed for Conference South side Hampton & Richmond Borough on a one-month loan on 18 January 2012, linking up with former Brentford youth teammate Lewis Ferrell. He made only three appearances and returned to Brentford on 17 February after his loan expired.

Permanent signing for Ebbsfleet United

After an unsuccessful trial with Lincoln City, Blake signed for Conference Premier side Ebbsfleet United in the summer of 2012, linking up with former Brentford Development Squad teammate Liam Bellamy. He made only eight appearances during his only season with the club, as Ebbsfleet suffered relegation to the Conference South.

Chertsey Town

Blake signed for Southern League Division One Central side Chertsey Town in August 2013 and was awarded the captaincy. He departed the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Kingstonian

In the summer of 2014, Blake joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Kingstonian. He made 8 appearances, with his final match coming in early December 2014.

International career

Blake was capped by Northern Ireland at U19 and U21 level. He made his U19 debut in a 2–2 2010 European U19 championship elite qualifying draw with Russia on 23 May 2010, coming on as a 41st-minute substitute for Dean Jarvis. Blake made his U21 debut on 3 September 2010, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Patrick McLaughlin in a 4–0 2011 European U21 Championship qualifying victory over San Marino. He made his second appearance for the U21s in a friendly against Wales on 9 February 2011, starting the match and playing an hour before being substituted.