Ryan relishing the Brighton side of life

Mat Ryan and Premier League club Brighton have become football’s perfect match.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan in Canberra. Picture Gary Ramage

Six years ago he was a raw teenage footballer living in a caravan on the NSW Central Coast.

Now the world could hardly have changed more for a player who has come to be regarded as one of the English Premier League’s most consistent goalkeepers, but Mat Ryan insists life away from the pitch has not been affected by the hype and scrutiny of playing in the world’s most watched football competition.

Back on Australian soil with Brighton teammate Aaron Mooy to face Nepal on Thursday night, as the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign takes another step forward, Ryan pulled the curtain back a little on life in a football bubble.

The 27-year-old this week won the players’ union Player of the Year award, voted for by his peers, after Brighton crushed Tottenham 3-0 last weekend. It all indicates a player at the top of his game but determined not to fall for the headlines and emotions that surround the EPL.

If anything, living in a relatively quiet town on the English south coast has made it easier to stay level-headed — along with the enduring influence of his mum Carol, a woman who Ryan has often credited with developing his drive and commitment.

“I had the upbringing to make sure I never forget where I came from, and off the field I honestly don’t believe anything has changed that much,” Ryan said.

“When Azza (Mooy) and Leandro Tossard were signed by the club in the off-season, I remember saying to them that down in Brighton you can walk the streets and hardly anyone recognises you. They let you be on a day-to-day basis, without people coming up and bothering you.

“For whatever reason people are coming up to me a bit more this year, maybe because it’s my third season and my face is a bit more familiar.

“I just take that as recognition of where I’ve got to, almost a sense of pride — I’ve always tried to embrace the fans’ interest, without them the sport is nothing like it is.”

Nor is the media hype something he pays too much attention to. “The boot can be on the other foot easily enough,” he said. “You get praise when things go well but you can be heavily scrutinised when they’re not going so well.

“I think you have to keep a sense of perspective, listen to those who are close to you and go about your business.

“Since the last international break (in October), on a personal level I feel I’ve found that consistency, been in the right place at the right time to make a couple of saves. I’m enjoying my football.”

Part of that is the style instilled by Brighton’s new coach Graham Potter.

“The manager Graham is one of these young managers, quite revolutionary, a bit like (England boss) Gareth Southgate, and the philosophy he’s brought in has been embraced from day one.

“We’ve stuck with it and slowly starting to reap the benefits. The progression has been there and it was nice to see us get a result at the weekend to get what we deserved.”

The Daily Telegraph