‘Statement of intent’ – Leiston confirm signing of ex-Premier League midfielder

‘Statement of intent’ were the words from some fans as Leiston confirm the signing of ex-Premier League midfielder Ryan Jarvis.

The 35-year-old joins from Lowestoft Town, who he re-joined Lowestoft in the summer of 2021 from then-National League side King`s Lynn Town, where he had been since June 2017 after arriving from the Trawlerboys.

A graduate of the Norwich City youth system, Ryan Jarvis became the Canaries youngest ever first-team player at 16 years and 282 days when making his debut in a 0–0 draw away to Walsall on the 19th of April 2003 in the First Division and their youngest ever goalscorer later that year, an 88th-minute goal in a 2–1 home defeat by Watford on the 15th of November 2003.

Jarvis scored his first Premier League goal against Liverpool during a 2–1 defeat in January 2005 with a 20-yard shot, which you can see below…

Throwing it back to this beauty from Ryan Jarvis at home to Liverpool in 2005! 😍 pic.twitter.com/9Oi8G0dZjV

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 16, 2021

CLUB STATEMENT:

Leiston FC are delighted to announce that midfielder Ryan Jarvis will be joining the club for the 2022/2023 season.

Ryan has enjoyed a successful professional career before dropping into the non-league scene in the past few seasons, playing for Lowestoft Town last season. It has seen him play over 450 games, thus far, starting off at Norwich City where he became their youngest ever player as he came off the bench in March 2003 at Walsall, at just 16 years of age.

Ryan played 38 games for Norwich, netting 5 times. Ryan has also played for Leyton Orient, Walsall, Torquay United, York City before playing for local clubs Kings Lynn Town and Lowestoft Town in recent seasons. The midfielder also had loan spells at Colchester United, Kilmarnock, Notts County, Northampton Town and Aldershot Town.

Jarvis has represented England at U16’s, U17’s and U19’s level in the past, scoring 11 times across the three age groups.

Blues joint boss Darren Eadie said of Ryan’s addition to the squad: –

‘Ryan will bring valuable experience from higher level clubs in his career, and also leadership on the pitch to help our younger players to develop’.

Everyone at Leiston FC welcomes Ryan to the club and hope he enjoys his stay with us.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Delighted to have @jarvy14 as our first summer signing at @leistonfc He will bring a vast amount of experience to our young developing team 👌🏼 🔵⚪️🔴 https://t.co/I0QFvvUML5 pic.twitter.com/zPC28esSV7

— Darren Eadie (@eadie11) June 6, 2022

LeistOn’s pre-season schedule has been confirmed ahead of the 2022/2023 campaign with training starting on Saturday the 25th of June and will play an internal game on Saturday 9th July at the club. Kick off times and pricing for the matches are yet to be confirmed.

Pre-Season Fixtures: –
Weds 13th July – Ipswich Town U23’s (H)
Sat 16th July – Wroxham and Mulbarton (A)
Tues 19th July – Woodbridge Town (A)
Sat 23rd July – Braintree Town (A)
Sat 30th July – Brightlingsea Regent (H).

The league will begin on Saturday 6th August, with Leiston remaining in the Southern League Central Premier for the 2022/2023 season. Suffolk club Needham Market will also stay put along with the Blues. Basford United, Ilkeston Town and Mickleover have all moved across to the Southern Premier Central. Banbury United and Peterborough Sports were promoted while Lowestoft Town and Biggleswade Town were relegated respectively.

Th FA’s National League System has allocated the following clubs to the Pitching In Southern Football League for 2022/2023.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Alvechurch
Barwell
Basford United
Bedford Town
Bromsgrove Sporting
Coalville Town
Hednesford Town
Hitchin Town
Ilkeston Town
Kings Langley
Leiston
Mickleover
Needham Market
Nuneaton Borough
Redditch United
Royston Town
Rushall Olympic
St Ives Town
Stourbridge
Stratford Town
Tamworth

JARVIS’ CAREER:

2003–2008 – Norwich City – 29 games (3 goals)
2005 → Colchester United (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2007 → Leyton Orient (loan) – 14 games (6 goals)
2007–2008 → Kilmarnock (loan) – 9 games (1 goal)
2008 → Notts County (loan) – 17 games (2 goals)
2008–2011 – Leyton Orient – 84 games (10 goals)
2010–2011 → Northampton Town (loan) – 3 games (0 goals)
2011–2012 – Walsall – 19 games (2 goals)
2012 → Torquay United (loan) – 14 games (2 goals)
2012–2013 – Torquay United – 38 games (7 goals)
2013–2015 – York City – 43 games (8 goals)
2015 → Aldershot Town (loan) – 12 games (1 goal)
2015–2017 – Lowestoft Town – 56 games (9 goals)
2017–2021 – King’s Lynn Town – 111 games (2 goals)
2021–2022 – Lowestoft Town – 37 games (5 goals)
2022– Leiston

National team
2001–2002 – England U16 – 6 games (3 goals)
2002–2003 – England U17 – 16 games (6 goals)
2004–2005 – England U19 – 15 games (2 goals)

As mentioned, there was plenty of reaction as Leiston confirm the signing of ex-Premier League midfielder Ryan Jarvis…

@Toby11233: Welcome to the club Ryan

@Ianhoneyman2: Wow – that’s some statement of intent

@ryannhh05: Some signing that 💙⚽️👏

@kriss_atkinson: Good luck Jarv

@LTFCGandalf: All the best @jarvy14 , thanks for all you have done at @LowestoftTownFC. You got my vote for Supporters’ Player of the Season.

@TeamLaurenLou: Best wishes Ryan thanks for all your efforts for @LowestoftTownFC and best wishes at @leistonfc

@Leasky_1_5: Champagne footballer.

@Cruise_nydazayo: Some signing 👏🏾

@PecheyYellow: This makes me feel old

@GavinCaney: Elite signing. Still a great player but it’s everything else he’ll bring to the table that will make as much of an impact. Class personified.

@robbo84_klfc: Absolute class act and plenty of experience for your younger players to draw from.

@tibbslfc: What a signing for @leistonfc welcome @jarvy14