Ian Hamilton (footballer)

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Ian 'Chico' Hamilton (born 31st October 1950 in Streatham) was an English footballer who was nicknamed Chico after the jazz player of the same name.

He first joined Chelsea as a junior and became the Stamford Bridge outfit's youngest ever player and scorer at 16 years, 138 days when he scored against Tottenham Hotspur on his debut in 1966, which earned comparisons with another famous Chelsea striker who scored on his debut against Spurs - Jimmy Greaves. Thereafter he was unable to achieve his full potential and only played 4 more games for the Blues before moving to Birmingham side Aston Villa in 1968.

Whilst at Villa he carved out a long career in the game as a midfielder and helped the Clarets reach two League Cup finals in 1971 and 1975 - they lost in 1971 and won in 1975. Villa also won the Division 3 title in 1972. Hamilton joined Sheffield United in 1976. He was one of many British football players who ended their careers in the North American Soccer League, where he played for Minnesota Kicks and San Jose Earthquakes.