Ryan-Zico Black

Guernsey-born midfielder who left the island at a young age to pursue a professional career in the UK, before returning to the island in the early part of 2011.

He quickly became the fulcrum and heartbeat of the first Guernsey FC team during 2011-12 and was named as the supporters' player of the year at the end-of-season awards night. He hit nine goals in the double-winning debut season and was also named as man-of-the-match in the 2012 Muratti away win over Jersey, his debut in the fixture.

However, after a similarly strong start to 2012-13, he suffered a horrific leg break in the FA Vase win over Erith Town in November 2012 that ruled him out for the season.

He overcame the odds to return from the injury and went on to play a large role in GFC's first season in the Ryman Isthmian Leagues and has continued that form in the 2014-15 season. 

He also holds the honour of scoring GFC's first goal, a stunning free-kick in the 6-5 pre-season friendly defeat to professional club AFC Wimbledon - although the title of first ever competitive goal belongs to Glyn Dyer.

In his UK days, he had trials at Southampton and AFC Bournemouth, before signing for Morecombe, where he went on to make over 100 appearances in the Conference and playing in the FA Cup third round twice.

Also a former Northern Ireland under-18 and under-21 international, Ryan went on to play for Lancaster City in the Conference North, making over 150 appearances, before having spells at a number of non league clubs.

Then went on to play for Irish Premier League team Glenavon, before going back to England and hitting the headlines in 2005, when he became Paul Gascoigne's first signing for Kettering Town, with the England legend paying £10,000 for his services.

After a brief cameo playing semi-professionally in both Spain and Australia, he returned to Guernsey in 2011.

Nowadays he tends to side in a deep-lying playmaker role and takes a mean set-piece and knows how to find the back of the net. His experience and calm is an important contrast in a young, dynamic squad. Black's 200th appearance in April 2022 was his first since December 2021 and only his second since December 2018.