Career
Ryden began his career at non-League club Duntocher Hibernian before signing for Alloa Athletic on 13 May 1950. The strong tackling, uncompromising, centre half made 108 appearances in all competitions and scored 13 goals in three seasons. In February 1954 he joined Accrington Stanley in a £1,000 transfer deal where he scored once in 80 matches.
Tottenham Hotspur paid £10,000 for his services in November 1955.
Ryden spent five seasons at the White Hart Lane club and was made club captain in the 1957-1958 season. He made a total of 68 appearances and found the Netto on two occasions in all competitions between 1955-1959.
Ryden was involved in two memorable matches for the Lilywhites. In the first 4-4 draw against rivals Arsenal on 22 February 1958 at Highbury. and featured again in manager Bill Nicholson"s first game in charge on 11 October 1958 at White Hart Lane in a 10-4 victory over Everton Ryden was listed as one of the top 12 Scots to wear the Spurs shirt.
In June 1961 he joined Watford and went on to make a further 24 appearances and scoring one goal.He then moved into Non-League football with Romford then in 1965 he moved to Tunbridge Wells Rangers and then on to Bexley Utd as player/manager where he ended his career.
After his football career had ended, Ryden was employed by a finance and insurance broker in the companies offices at Maidstone and later in Richmond. Ryden died on 16 August 2013 at his home in the London Borough of Bromley at Keston aged 82.