Bryan emerged from six and a half seasons as a Huddersfield reserve with a creditable scoring record, and continued this through a long Saltergate career. He made his debut along with new signings Gwyn Lewis and Tommy Walker, as the club tried to put impetus into a flagging promotion challenge in '56-7. That was the last time for many years that promotion looked likely, and it was Bryan's fate (but by no means his fault) to be associated with a team in decline throughout his time here.

He is remembered as a quick-witted forward, with a powerful shot. He top-scored in two seasons, and finished as second-top scorer in another three, and would have added perhaps another thirty goals to his career total had he not played at half-back in '60-1 and '61-2. Although he displayed poise and imagination in that position, the club sorely missed his goals, being relegated in his first season as a wing-half.

He was freed in 1964 with some football still in him - another recurring fate of experienced Chesterfield players at the time - and joined Halifax Town, where he played until retiring from the game. A native of Cleckheaton, Bryan died in Bradford in 1997.

For Chesterfield: 281 League appearances, 84 goals.