Ian Wallace (footballer)
Ian Wallace (born 23 May 1956 in Glasgow) is a retired professional Scottish footballer who had great success in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he played for top-flight English clubs.
Playing career
Club career
Wallace was playing for Scottish league side Dumbarton – having signed for them from Scottish Junior club Yoker Athletic – when he was purchased for £70,000 by the then Coventry manager Gordon Milne. Wallace soon settled into the Coventry side with his small frame perfectly complimenting his larger strike partner Mick Ferguson. He was adored by the Coventry City faithful and his heroic antics both on and off the field endeared him to the fans and his classic ginger curly perm haircut made him stand out as much as his acrobatic goals. He emerged from a bad car accident whilst at the club sporting a deep scar on the forehead and also detached a retina whilst playing for Coventry at Norwich. The 1977–78 saw Ian playing in Coventry's most exciting top-flight team. A side containing Ferguson, Tommy Hutchison, Terry Yorath, Graham Oakey, Bobby MacDonald and Jim Blyth played a brand of attacking football that swept many teams aside, often by large margins of victory.
He was sold to neighbouring Midlands club (and then reigning European champions) Nottingham Forest in July 1980 for the then massive sum of £1.25 million (making him one of the world's most expensive players), his first game being their UEFA Super Cup defeat to Valencia that summer. Wallace went on be Forest's top scorer for three seasons running. He subsequently moved to French club Brest before returning to English football with Sunderland in the years 1985–1986. He had spells with clubs in Portugal and Australia at the end of his playing career.
International career
Whilst a prolific goalscorer with top-flight clubs Coventry City and Nottingham Forest, Wallace only played three times for his country. He scored his only international goal in the meeting with Bulgaria in February 1978, which featured his Coventry team-mate Jim Blyth in goal.
Dumbarton manager
He returned to Dumbarton as manager in November 1996 replacing Jim Fallon. He was dismissed from this job in October 1999 and was replaced by Jimmy Brown.
Manager statistics
As of March 1999
| Team |
Nat |
From |
To |
Record |
| G | W | D | L | Win % |
| Dumbarton |
 |
November 1996 |
March 1999 |
7001750000000000000♠75 |
7001260000000000000♠26 |
7001240000000000000♠24 |
7001250000000000000♠25 |
7001346700000000000♠34.67 |
|
Honours
References
- Brown, Jim (2000). Coventry City: An Illustrated History. Desert Island Books Ltd. ISBN 1-874287-36-8.
External links