Rye swoop for ex-Albion ace

Evan Archibald on the ball for Rye United in their 3-1 win over AFC Uckfield last weekend. Picture by Simon Newstead

Former Brighton & Hove Albion scholar Ryan Cooper has signed for the Quarterboys and is expected to be in the squad for the visit of Chichester City on Saturday.

Gall said: “He’s someone I’ve been keeping my eye on for a while, but I never thought I would ever get hold of him. At the weekend he said he fancied it so we met up and had a chat, and he’s in the squad for Saturday.”

Cooper, who can play right-back, centre-half or central midfield, was at Chelsea as a youngster and later spent several years at Brighton before being released at his present age of 19.

He spent much of pre-season at Ryman Football League Premier Division club Lewes and joins Sussex County League Division One side Rye from Ryman Division One South outfit Eastbourne Town.

“It’s a big signing for the club and I’m made up with it,” continued Gall. “The goal for him is to get playing again and start enjoying his football. If we can help move him back up where he belongs, we feel it’s a job accomplished at both ends. He’s a good size, fit and he looked good in training last night (Tuesday).”

See Friday’s Rye Observer for the full article.