Peterhead manager Jim McInally has confirmed that the versatile duo of Ryan Conroy and Alan Cook will be leaving the club now that the 2021/22 season is over.
The departure from the playing ranks of Simon Ferry and Derek Lyle has already been announced and they have been joined in the Departure Lounge by former Celtic, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Dundee, Raith Rovers, Queen of the South and Airdrie player Conroy and ex-Dumbarton, Stirling Albion, Airdrie, Arbroath, East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Alloa man Cook.
Ryan moved to Peterhead in the summer of 2019 and the last of his 66 appearances was on Saturday at Airdrie with Jim highlighting the versatility of the 35 year old as he said: “Ryan was always a midfielder in his career however he played a lot of games for us at left back and even turned out at right back against Dundee in the Scottish Cup back in February.”
“When we secured Flynn Duffy on loan this season I knew that I had the option to use Ryan more in midfield and he scored a very important goal for us from that position that helped set up a 5-0 win over Dumbarton last autumn.”
“It looks like he will be taking his career off in a different direction now and I wish him well with that.”
‘Cookie’ played in 33 games, the last of which was also at Airdrie on Saturday, and scored a memorable goal down at Montrose with Jim admitting that luck has not been on the side of the 30 year old as he explained: “Alan joined us in January 2020 and I remember thinking that he could do a good job for us as a striker at that time after a very encouraging performance at Falkirk. Covid struck the nation just after that game and he was not able to build on that.”
“When we got going again we needed him to play in defence and midfield and he did that without complaint. Unfortunately a stress fracture in his shin made it difficult for Alan to get an extended run in the team this term but every time he has been called on he has given 100%.”
“Like Ryan, Alan is a good guy to have in your squad and I hope he can get a good run at another club. As I said about Simon and Derek it is not just on the pitch you miss experienced players as you miss them in your dressing room as well. That is also the case for Ryan and Alan.”
