Ian started playing football at the age of seven with Spalding Athletic and stayed there until he was 16. During this time, he had a spell with Lincoln City at youth level and had the opportunity to train with Aston Villa and Norwich City youth academies.

In the summer of 2004, Ian started coaching at a football academy and was quickly promoted to head coach. During his two years in charge, the academy doubled in size. He was also Head of Football for three years in a row at a sports week run by Spalding Grammar School each summer.

Ian started work for Boston United FITC in April 2006

Ian left to go to the University of Birmingham in September 2006 to study psychology, with a particular interest in the sports side of things. He is a coach for a local under-8s team, Harborne Hotshots.

He regularly helps out for Boston United FITC