A biography for Ryan Masonhasn’t been written yet.
“I've enjoyed learning, I'm still learning, and I'll always be learning like any coach or any player. It's important you are still open to learning.”
“It has been difficult because I am physically there. But when it is something so sensitive, with your brain and your skull, it does probably make it a little bit easier to accept you are not going to play again, because it could be life-threatening. So that has definitely made it easier.”
“When you're at a club that's stable and everyone is enjoying it, it's very hard to consider leaving.”
“My opinion may be different to many, but I think Oliver Skipp is an incredible talent and one of the most professional guys I have come across in the academy.”
“There were a few clubs in the Championship and I spoke to some managers, but I wanted to play for Tottenham. There was always that doubt that if I left I'd end up regretting it, and I would have definitely regretted it.”
“I think every season in pre-season you go into it and everyone is saying, 'they'll be strong next season,' but you never know.”
“Retiring was very tough, it's tough at the best of times. Nothing can prepare you for it.”
“I don't think repetitive heading at a young age is doing the kids any good, that's for sure.”
“I think from day one, recovering, it is just try to be as positive as you can.”
“I can't speak highly enough of Petr Cech. He's set the standards of what it is to be a proper man and a gentleman.”
“I worked with Mauricio Pochettino and even as a player, he had certain mannerisms and his body language. There was so much to learn from.”
“I think when you lose a cup final, it's disappointing.”
“I respect the fans, they're the heart and soul of the football club and their opinion matters, it really does.”
“I've always felt a massive connection with the fans. I've always felt loved.”
“I don't think kids should be heading real balls.”
“All the moments I've had in the last 10, 15 years as a player have maybe shaped me to where I am today. But the way I live my life, the way I think I want to be positive, happy, to have experiences that I can look back on.”
“Of course no player wants to end their career with regrets. I don't think any human being likes having regrets either.”
“When the brain gets an injury, the body just instinctively responds and it almost shuts everything else down.”
“There are not many managers in the Premier League willing to put homegrown players in and trust them.”
“Sometimes you have a clash of heads and it feels a bit sore, but I remember the impact was huge. I was touching my head and it felt like it was pouring with blood, but I remember looking and there was nothing on my hand. For me that was a sign it was probably quite serious.”