Ryan Baird is an 18-year-old midfielder who has impressed over two seasons with the AFC R&D / MAA U18 side. He was praised by the U18 Manager, Darren Purse – “He’s got great technique, great footwork and he can get around the pitch, but he’s a little bit slight and that’s the reservation I have, would he get bullied a bit in men’s football? The only way to find out is to put him in there.” He made his debut for the senior team in December 2016 aged 17. For the 2017/18 season he has joined the Diamonds Elite Youth Squad.