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Thanks to my dad and from reading various reports and books I thought that I’ve heard of the vast majority of Town players from the days of SBR who played fairly often for the club. But I have to admit that I have never heard of Ian Collard.
Anyway, went on Wikipedia and was sort of amazed that he played 92 times for the club but gave up on professional football when only 29. Does anyone know why this was the case?
According to The Who's Who Of Ipswich Town he was forced to retire with a hip injury.
I liked Ian Collard, he was a classy midfield player but ha a lot of injuries. He played 32 games in his first season(1969/70) but the rest of his appearances were spread over five seasons-he started 98 games and made 13 sub appearances.
Played in both legs of the Texaco Cup Final win in 1973.
I, just about, remember Ian Collard playing for us. I think he was one of those players who could turn a game, who had a few tricks up his sleeve, but was never consistent enough to challenge Colin Viljoen for a settled run in the side. Perhaps the best comparison would be Paul Mason. Also remember someone saying that he was around on the Ipswich 'scene' during his time here but I never encountered him, it might be that a leaning towards an alternative lifestyle didn't sit well with Sir Bobby either.
I, just about, remember Ian Collard playing for us. I think he was one of those players who could turn a game, who had a few tricks up his sleeve, but was never consistent enough to challenge Colin Viljoen for a settled run in the side. Perhaps the best comparison would be Paul Mason. Also remember someone saying that he was around on the Ipswich 'scene' during his time here but I never encountered him, it might be that a leaning towards an alternative lifestyle didn't sit well with Sir Bobby either.
I, just about, remember Ian Collard playing for us. I think he was one of those players who could turn a game, who had a few tricks up his sleeve, but was never consistent enough to challenge Colin Viljoen for a settled run in the side. Perhaps the best comparison would be Paul Mason. Also remember someone saying that he was around on the Ipswich 'scene' during his time here but I never encountered him, it might be that a leaning towards an alternative lifestyle didn't sit well with Sir Bobby either.
He had a good beard.
To be fair Viljoen was a proper star and apart from Beattie Town's best player for many years.
Wasn't he also a top squash player around the Suffolk sports league long after he stopped playing football for Town. Years ago someone connected to Towns stadium told me there was a squash court built underground near the centre spot east stand bar...is that true?
I picture him with a low centre of gravity and a slightly crouching style. I think he was left-footed? He shared something with some of our modern-day casualties in that his return from the treatment room was reported on with decreasing anticipation, and his return there, sadly much more predictable. A neat, compact player though who shielded the ball well.
According to The Who's Who Of Ipswich Town he was forced to retire with a hip injury.
I liked Ian Collard, he was a classy midfield player but ha a lot of injuries. He played 32 games in his first season(1969/70) but the rest of his appearances were spread over five seasons-he started 98 games and made 13 sub appearances.
Played in both legs of the Texaco Cup Final win in 1973.
I remember Collard as somebody that if his name was on the team sheet, you wouldn’t say ‘oh no’. He was a good solid midfielder. One of ITFCs better players during Robson’s early years, if outshone by Colin Viljoen and Jimmy Robertson (an early favourite of mine) in my view.
I’d forgotten how much his time here was ravaged.by injury and that he played the Texaco Cup final. What a trophy that was. It reminded me of a spaceship on a stand.
That's a shame because he was a key player of sorts in a difinitive time in the club's history. He came from WBA in part exchange for Danny Hegan - the combined fee makes Hegan the most valuable player Town have ever sold by a considerable distance as it was over 80% of the record fee at the time.
He added a considerable wow factor has he'd played in the recent Everton v WBA cup final.... the one with 'that' Jeff Astle goal.... until then the notion of an FA Cup winner playing for Town was a tad fanciful.
His main problem was 1. he wasnt Danny Hegan and 2.he was somewhat injury prone
But he was a fine player as many of that team were, being able to establish Town in the top division at a time when England were the number one ranked team in the world and English football was at a peak.
He ran a restaurant in Felxistowe for a while I believe.
Wasn't he also a top squash player around the Suffolk sports league long after he stopped playing football for Town. Years ago someone connected to Towns stadium told me there was a squash court built underground near the centre spot east stand bar...is that true?
Yes, that is true about the squash court......it was slightly towards the North Stand end of the Cobbold Stand. Not sure if it is still there, but was definitely there mid - late '70's.
As others have said, good dependable midfield player and one of the few who sported a beard in those days. A bit of class about him to be honest. Always seemed to make himself a bit of time on the ball and never let us down. Not quite in the same mould as Viljoen who got forward more and scored a few goals as well as really making the team tick when he was at his best. Collard was bit of an unsung hero I suppose. It's a pity he's nor more widely remembered but his early retirement contributed to that I guess. There were a few in that era that were good solid professionals that never really got the recognition they deserved. Peter Morris, Colin Harper & David Best are three others that spring to mind.
As others have said, good dependable midfield player and one of the few who sported a beard in those days. A bit of class about him to be honest. Always seemed to make himself a bit of time on the ball and never let us down. Not quite in the same mould as Viljoen who got forward more and scored a few goals as well as really making the team tick when he was at his best. Collard was bit of an unsung hero I suppose. It's a pity he's nor more widely remembered but his early retirement contributed to that I guess. There were a few in that era that were good solid professionals that never really got the recognition they deserved. Peter Morris, Colin Harper & David Best are three others that spring to mind.
He was capable of adding that bit of flair without losing the solid side of a midfield role, and would have been more remembered if it were not for the impact of his injuries. Enterprising off the field too, he ran 'Collards' restaurant on Felixstowe front for several years before and after he retired from ITFC. I remember it, but can't find an images on the net. A good player and a nice cup of tea!
https://www.oldbaggies.com/ian-collard/ Apparently we got £88,000 in cash plus Collard in return for Danny Hegan & in view of both players' subsequent careers, it seems that was another one that SBR got right. Bill McGarry was clearly no mug either, shipping Hegan out to Wolves in short order & I think getting most of his money back.
His missus pops up now and again on the' Ipswich Remembers' FB page. I'm sure I read that he turned up to training on a scooter which Bobby obviously took a dim view of!
https://www.oldbaggies.com/ian-collard/ Apparently we got £88,000 in cash plus Collard in return for Danny Hegan & in view of both players' subsequent careers, it seems that was another one that SBR got right. Bill McGarry was clearly no mug either, shipping Hegan out to Wolves in short order & I think getting most of his money back.
[Post edited 30 Mar 2020 10:01]
Not sure if I am reading your bit about Bill McGarry correctly but he in fact signed Danny Hegan for Wolves from WBA.
Danny Hegan was one of the Jackie Milburn signed success stories at ITFC.
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Ian Collard (n/t) (n/t) on 10:53 - Mar 30 with 3467 views
Not sure if I am reading your bit about Bill McGarry correctly but he in fact signed Danny Hegan for Wolves from WBA.
Danny Hegan was one of the Jackie Milburn signed success stories at ITFC.
Oops yes - McGarry picked up Hegan from WBA when at Wolves, presumably believing that his disciplinarian management would bring him to heel & get the best out of a talented player.
Oops yes - McGarry picked up Hegan from WBA when at Wolves, presumably believing that his disciplinarian management would bring him to heel & get the best out of a talented player.
Danny Hegan was an important part of Bill McGarry's 1967/68 promotion team at ITFC so he knew what he was getting.
Also by signing for Wolves Danny Hegan knew all he needed to know about his 'new' manager.
My late uncles were Wolves fans and they liked Danny Hegan in his time at Wolves.
As others have said, good dependable midfield player and one of the few who sported a beard in those days. A bit of class about him to be honest. Always seemed to make himself a bit of time on the ball and never let us down. Not quite in the same mould as Viljoen who got forward more and scored a few goals as well as really making the team tick when he was at his best. Collard was bit of an unsung hero I suppose. It's a pity he's nor more widely remembered but his early retirement contributed to that I guess. There were a few in that era that were good solid professionals that never really got the recognition they deserved. Peter Morris, Colin Harper & David Best are three others that spring to mind.
Not sure I'd want to classify Bestie as a good, solid professional. I've always felt he was among the top goalies that we've ever had. Certainly, "Diesel's" shot was solid though!
As others have said, good dependable midfield player and one of the few who sported a beard in those days. A bit of class about him to be honest. Always seemed to make himself a bit of time on the ball and never let us down. Not quite in the same mould as Viljoen who got forward more and scored a few goals as well as really making the team tick when he was at his best. Collard was bit of an unsung hero I suppose. It's a pity he's nor more widely remembered but his early retirement contributed to that I guess. There were a few in that era that were good solid professionals that never really got the recognition they deserved. Peter Morris, Colin Harper & David Best are three others that spring to mind.
Peter Morris, Colin Harper and David Best were all good players and played their part in Ipswich becoming a good side in the early 70s.
Ian was from the north-east, a former mining village in Durham i believe. He was a direct swap with WBA for Danny Hegan. He was a decent, tidy midfield player for us, but if memory serves, he picked up some injuries and may have been in direct competition with Colin Viljoen. He was a friendly guy who I got to know after his playing career was curtailled, probably due to injuries. He was manager of the sports centre in Stowmarket but moved to the West Country with his new lady. I bumped into him at Ashton Gate once , probably in our promotion season of 1992 under John Lyall.
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