Ian Walsh (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ian Patrick Walsh is a former Wales
international footballer
.
, winning the FA Youth Cup
in 1977, before forcing his way into the first team, making his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Chester City
on 4 September 1976 at the age of 18, where he was a key member of the side that won the Division Two
title in the 1978–79 season. After playing over 100 times for the side, he joined Swansea City
in February 1982, spending two years at the Vetch Field
before leaving following the sides relegation in 1984.
He spent two years at Barnlsey
, scoring fifteen times, before leaving for Grimsby Town
where he won promotion in his first season. His second year at the Grimsby was hampered by a number of minor injuries and he was allowed to leave midway through the season to sign for Cardiff City
. The majority of his appearances at Ninian Park
came as a substitute and he was forced into retirement in 1989.
in September 1979 during a 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland
, becoming a regular for the side of the following four years before making his final appearance on 2 June 1982 in a 1-0 win over France
.
.
He is also the uncle of Premiership footballer Simon Davies who plays for Fulham.
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Club career
Walsh began his career at Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, winning the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
in 1977, before forcing his way into the first team, making his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
on 4 September 1976 at the age of 18, where he was a key member of the side that won the Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title in the 1978–79 season. After playing over 100 times for the side, he joined Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
in February 1982, spending two years at the Vetch Field
Vetch Field
The Vetch Field was a multi-purpose stadium in Swansea, Wales. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Swansea City until the Liberty Stadium opened in 2005. Opened in 1912, the ground held around 12,000 at the time of its closure, but upwards of 30,000 at its peak...
before leaving following the sides relegation in 1984.
He spent two years at Barnlsey
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, scoring fifteen times, before leaving for Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
where he won promotion in his first season. His second year at the Grimsby was hampered by a number of minor injuries and he was allowed to leave midway through the season to sign for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. The majority of his appearances at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
came as a substitute and he was forced into retirement in 1989.
International career
Walsh made a goalscoring debut for WalesWales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in September 1979 during a 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, becoming a regular for the side of the following four years before making his final appearance on 2 June 1982 in a 1-0 win over France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
After football
Walsh is currently a commentator and football pundit for BBC WalesBBC Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales. Based at Broadcasting House in the Llandaff area of Cardiff, it directly employs over 1200 people, and produces a broad range of television, radio and online services in both the Welsh and English languages.Outside...
.
He is also the uncle of Premiership footballer Simon Davies who plays for Fulham.