Ian Osborne

For the Australian politician, see Ian Osborne (politician).

Ian Leonard Osborne (born 28 October 1952) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Birmingham City and Port Vale.

Ian Osborne

Personal information
Full name	Ian Leonard Osborne[1]
Date of birth	(1952-10-28) 28 October 1952 (age 72)
Place of birth	Leicester, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s)	Full back
Youth career
1968–1970	Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1970–1976	Birmingham City	10	(0)
1976–1977	Port Vale	15	(0)
–	Hillingdon Borough
–	Westfields
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Osborne was born in Leicester. When he left school in 1968, he joined Birmingham City as an apprentice and turned professional two years later.^[3] A pacey full back, he spent a long time in the reserve team before eventually making his debut in the First Division on 16 August 1975, the opening game of the 1975–76 season, in a 3–3 draw at Leicester City. Osborne played a few more games that season, deputising for Ray Martin who was nearing the end of his Birmingham career,^[4] but his defending was not considered up to standard and he was allowed to leave.^[3] He then spent a season with Port Vale where he played the opening six games of the season for the Third Division side. After losing his place in September 1976, he did not get another game until April the next year, though he did play nine of the last ten games. He left on a free transfer in May 1977, moving into non-League football with Hillingdon Borough^[5] and Westfields.^[6]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition^[7][5]

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Birmingham City	1973–74	First Division	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
	1974–75	First Division	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	1975–76	First Division	10	0	1	0	0	0	11	0
	Total		10	0	1	0	1	0	12	0
Port Vale	1976–77	Third Division	15	0	0	0	2	0	17	0