Ian Britton (Scottish footballer)

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Ian Britton
Personal information
Full name Ian Britton
Date of birth (1954-05-19) 19 May 1954 (age 69)
Place of birth Dundee, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1982 Chelsea 263 (33)
1982–1983 Dundee United 10 (1)
1983–1984 Arbroath 2 (0)
1983–1986 Blackpool 106 (15)
1986–1989 Burnley 108 (10)
1989 Morecambe ? (?)
Managerial career
1996–1998 Nelson
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ian Britton (born 19 May 1954) is a retired Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder.

Playing career

Chelsea

Britton started his career with Scottish junior side Hillside Rangers. Aged 17 he signed as an apprentice with Londoners Chelsea in the summer of 1971, making his debut during the 1972–73 season. With Chelsea's relegation from the First Division in 1975, which saw the departure of many of the club's established players, Britton became a regular in the first team. He was a key part of manager Eddie McCreadie's young side, alongside the likes of Ray Wilkins, Steve Finnieston and Tommy Langley, which won promotion back to the top flight in 1976–77.

Chelsea were relegated once again following the 1978–79 season and remained in the old Second Division for the remainder of his time at Stamford Bridge, which came to an end in August 1982 when he returned to his home town and signed for Dundee United. In total, he played 289 games and scored 34 goals for Chelsea.

Dundee United

As a member of the Tangerines in the 1982–83 season, he helped the club win the Scottish Championship for the only time in their history. His only goal came in Hamish McAlpines testimonial against Tottenham Hotspur which finished 1–1.

Blackpool

After playing two games for Arbroath at the start of the 1983–84 season, Britton joined Blackpool in November, the team he had scored against on his League debut for Chelsea in December 1972. Initially a one-month loan deal, he impressed manager Sam Ellis, who signed him permanently for a small fee when his loan period expired.

In his first season at Bloomfield Road, his goal tally was bettered only by Paul Stewart, and his best period came when he teamed up in midfield with Mike Conroy.

Britton was in the Blackpool side that won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1985, swapping places with his next club Burnley, whom he joined in August 1986. But, such were the finances at Turf Moor, that manager Brian Miller was initially only able to sign him on loan.

Burnley

Britton's headed goal for the Clarets, three minutes into the second half of the final game of the 1986–87 season, secured a 2–1 win over promotion chasing Leyton Orient, helping to preserve Burnley's Football League status.

Many of the side that played against Orient were subsequently released. Britton was the only member of that team to feature in the starting eleven at Wembley just one year later, when the Clarets faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Sherpa Van Trophy final in front of 80,841 fans, a record for the trophy.

The 1988–89 season proved to be Britton's last at Burnley and his last in League football. He'd scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers, and in January 1989 he scored at Prenton Park once again in what proved to be manager Brian Miller's final game in charge. Miller was replaced by Frank Casper and although Britton remained in the side for much of the remainder of the season, he was released at the end of his third year with the club.

Retirement

Having ended his professional career, Britton became involved in local semi-professional football, briefly managing Nelson in the mid-1990s. He still lives in East Lancashire where he is the manager of the Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre operated by Pendle Leisure Trust.

References

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External links