Ian Andrews was snapped up by alert Leicester City youth coach Dave Richardson while Nottingham Forest (with whom he had been on associate schoolboy forms) and Mansfield Town (where he had started an apprenticeship) dithered over his potential, Ian was immiediatly groomed as goalkeeping successor to Mark Wallington.
Just like Mike Stringfellow, almost two decades earlier, made the switch from Field Mill, Ian Andrews became one of those to make this switch.
Soon winning England Youth caps, he made prdiguious progress to the fringe of the first team, and made an unexpected Leauge bow while on emergensy loan to Swindon Town, only a week after commencing a similar spell at Ayresome. His agility and confidence seemed to mark him as a worthy heir to City’s fine goalkeeping tradition and, following Wallington’s departure Ian’s deserving condidacy for U.21 honours was loudly canvassed.
He was finally capped at the level as an over age player in the ealry months of the 1986/87 season, when showing inspired First Division form. But, as City gradually slid into the danger zone, Ian’s own confidence dipped alarmingly, and his comparative lack of experience began to cost the team dearly, with his sence of positioning, coming under rigerous critical scrutiny after several opposition attacks had exploited his habit of wandering from his line.
Subsequently he lost his first team place to Paul Cooper, but became a prime transfer target for several clubs before Leicester City accepted £300.000 from Celtic to allow him briefly to contest the No. 1 spot at Parkhead with Irish international (and one time City trialist) Packie Bonnar.
Thereafter reserve status adhered to Ian even following his move to The Dell. He later moved to Bournemouth and cemented the first team spot. After his spell with The Cherries Ian returned to Leicester City and settled as third choice behind Kasey Keller and Pegguy Arphexad, staying on the books until 2000.
He stayed on in a goalkeeper capacity and worked with Tim Flowers and Ian Walker. A chance to open his own practice and working on as a physio has since been his trade as he continue life and that journey.
FACTFILE:
- Full Name: Ian Edmund Andrews
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Date of Birth: 01.12.1964
- Birthplace: Nottingham
- Nation: England
- Caps / Goals:
- Major League Career:
- 1982-88, Leicester City (126/0)
- 1988-89, Celtic (5/0)
- 1989-94, Southampton (10/0)
- 1994-96, Bournemouth (64/0)
- 1997-02, Leicester City (0/0)
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