| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ian Britton | ||
| Date of birth | 19 May 1954 | ||
| Place of birth | Dundee, Scotland | ||
| Playing position | 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) |
| Morecambe | ? | (?) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1996–1998 | Nelson | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Ian Britton (born 19 May 1954) is a retired Scottish footballer who played in midfield.
Britton signed for Londoners Chelsea from Scottish junior side Hillside Rangers, and made 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 side. 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 again in 1976-77, though the club were relegated again in 1979. In total, he played 289 games and scored 34 goals for Chelsea.
He left to join Dundee United in 1982 and helped the club win the Scottish Championship for the only time in their history. He moved to Blackpool a year later, against whom he had scored on his league debut while at Chelsea. He initially moved on a month's loan, in November 1983, but Britton impressed enough that manager Sam Ellis signed him permanently for a small fee.
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 helped Blackpool to promotion in 1985 before joining Burnley in August 1986. His goal for the Clarets in the final game of the 1986-87 season to secure a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient helped preserve Burnley's Football League status.