Ian Christopher Elsby is an English

English people

The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

 former footballer. His uncle is the former footballer Jim Elsby

Jim Elsby

James Elsby is an English former footballer. His nephew is Ian Elsby, also a now retired footballer who played for Port Vale.-Playing career:...

.

Playing career

Elsby graduated from the Port Vale

Port Vale F.C.

Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...

 youth team to sign as a professional in May 1978. He was immediately sent out to the USA

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 on loan with the Cleveland Cobras

Cleveland Cobras

The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972-73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras. The Stars' colors were blue and white...

, but returned by August of that year. He was a first team regular from February 1980 to the end of the season

1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1979–80 season was Port Vale's sixty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their second successive season in the Fourth Division. One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a...

, but fell out of favour the next season

1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1980–81 season was Port Vale's sixty-ninth season of football in the Football League, and their third successive season in the Fourth Division. A difficult season, by February the club were bottom of the Football League, however they rallied to finish in nineteenth place, thus avoiding a...

 and was handed a free transfer in May 1981. He moved on to Macclesfield Town

Macclesfield Town F.C.

Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...

 and Congleton Town

Congleton Town F.C.

Congleton Town F.C. is a football club based in Congleton, Cheshire, England. They currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division and are full members of the Cheshire County Football Association...

.