Ian Bryson

Ian Bryson
Personal information
Full name Ian Bryson
Date of birth (1962-11-26) 26 November 1962
Place of birth Kilmarnock, Scotland
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1980–1981 Hurlford United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1988 Kilmarnock 215 (40)
1988–1993 Sheffield United 156 (38)
1993 Barnsley 16 (3)
1993–1997 Preston 151 (19)
1997–1999 Rochdale 54 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Ian Bryson (born 26 November 1962 in Kilmarnock) is a Scottish footballer.

Bryson was a junior for Ayr United but was released at 18.[1] He then had a short spell at Hurlford United before moving to Kilmarnock, where he spent seven years as a semi-professional whilst still working on his parents farm.[2] Bryson made almost 200 appearances for "Killie", mostly as a midfielder.

Bryson then got a breakthrough in the pre-season of 1988, when Dave Bassett offered Bryson a trial at Sheffield United.[3] Bryson's trial was successful and he played a crucial part in two successive promotions from the old Third Division, through to the old First Division in 1990.[4] Bryson remained a regular for United in the top flight, assisting and scoring crucial goals, notably a double in a 3 - 2 victory over Nottingham Forest, which was the first win of the season after 17 games without a win.[5]

After 5 successful years at United, Bryson left for a brief spell at Barnsley, before he joined Preston North End in 1993 on his 31st birthday, where he briefly played alongside a young David Beckham.

Bryson was appointed captain of the north west club. Although Preston lost the Third Division playoff final 4-2 to Wycombe Wanderers, Bryson himself scored with a spectacular overhead kick. Two years later he led them to the Third Division title, lifting the trophy at Deepdale in front of a capacity crowd. Bryson ended his professional league career at Rochdale, later playing for Bamber Bridge.

He is still remembered with great affection at both Sheffield United and Preston.[6] After retiring, Bryson spent a spell coaching youngsters at North End's academy. Ian still lives in Preston and still plays regularly for AC Sporting in the Preston area Veterans League.

References


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