Ian Filby

Ian Filby
Personal information
Full nameIan Frederick Filby[1]
Date of birth9 October 1954
Place of birthWoodford, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing positionForward
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1971–1975Orient0(0)
1973Montreal Olympique (loan)19(3)
1974Brentford (loan)3(0)
St. Mirren (loan)0(0)
Romford (loan)5(1)
1976–1978Durban City
1979Lusitano
1979–1980Sacramento Gold42(25)
1980Pennsylvania Stoners
1981California Surf1(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Ian Filby is a retired English professional football forward who played professionally in England, South Africa and North America.

Career

Orient

Filby began his career in the youth system at Division Two side Orient, winning the London Challenge Cup with the reserve team in 1972 and 1973.[1] He failed to make a first team appearance for the club before departing in 1975.

Montreal Olympique (loan)

Filby moved to Canada to join North American Soccer League side Montreal Olympique on loan for the 1973 season.[2] Manager Graham Adams commented that Filby was faster and had better ball control than the previous season's highly-rated Scottish player Graeme Souness.[3] Despite the build-up, Filby managed just three goals in Olympique's 19 regular season games.[2]

Brentford (loan)

Filby joined Division Four club Brentford on loan in September 1974.[1] He made just three appearances during his spell.[1]

Further loans

Filby had loans at Scottish club St. Mirren and Southern League Premier Division side Romford during the 1974/75 season.

South Africa

Filby moved to South Africa in 1976 and appeared for National Football League and National Premier Soccer League sides Durban City and Lusitano.

Sacramento Gold

Filby returned to North America to sign for American Soccer League side Sacramento Gold in 1979.[2] He had a good 1979 season, finishing the campaign as the league's top scorer (with 45 points),[4] winning the championship (after a 1-0 victory over Columbus Magic in the final) and being named on the league's All-Star team.[4] Filby scored 11 goals in the 1980 season, before departing midway through the campaign.[2]

Pennsylvania Stoners

Filby signed for American Soccer League side Pennsylvania Stoners during the 1980 season and won his second successive championship, beating former side Sacramento Gold 2-1 in the final.

California Surf

Filby returned to the North American Soccer League to sign for California Surf in 1981.[2] He had an unsuccessful 1981 season, making just one appearance.[2]

Later career

After retiring from professional play, Filby remained in Northern California and continued to play in the amateur Central California Soccer League.[5]

Honours

As a player

Orient Reserves

Sacramento Gold

Pennsylvania Stoners

As an individual

Personal life

Filby's brother Malcolm was also a footballer and the pair played together at Sacramento Gold and California Surf.[6][7][8]

References