Ian Sandiford - Player Profile

Ian Robert Sandiford was born in Chorley on Tuesday, 26 February 1946 and begin his football career as an apprentice with Blackburn Rovers in February 1964.

He then moved to Stockport County in June 1964 where he scored 10 goals in 54 games.

He helped them reach the FA Cup 4 Round and they drew at Liverpool before losing the replay.

Ian then joined Crewe Alexandra in January 1966 where he played alongside Dave Whelan.

He was to score 18 league goals for Crewe in his 52 league games.

He was to sign for Harry Leyland's Wigan Athletic Cheshire League side on Saturday, 4 November 1967 and made his debut within hours in a home 2-0 win over Chester Reserves.

A week later, he scored his first Latics goal in a 4-0 away win at Stalybridge Celtic.

He played in a home friendly against Port Vale, who had 50 year-old Stanley Mathews playing for them.

He played in the Lancashire Junior Cup Final 2-0 win over Marine at Deepdale in April 1968.

His last game for Latics was on Saturday, 27 April 1968 in a home 1-0 defeat by Tranmere Rovers Reserves. 

He had played 37 games and scored 16 goals for Latics.

Ian then joined Chorley in season 1968/69 and he was to score against Latics in a 5-4 NPL Cup win.

He then moved to Hyde United in November and again he was to score against Latics, although Wigan won 3-2.

He later played for Stafford Rangers, Netherfield and Bangor City.

After retiring from football. Ian went working in the building trade and did this until reaching retirement age.

He lived in Whittle-le-Woods and was married to Lian and they had two daughters named Hayley and Georgia.

In the last year or so, Ian was to suffer health problems that required him to move into a local care home.

In January 2024, Ian was invited to the Supporters' Bar to receive his career record certificate and his past-player's badge.

On Monday, 24 March 2025, it was announced that he had sadly died at the age of 79.