An amateur scottish forward, Ian was brought up in Tanzania. After playing for Creetown Amateurs he had played a dozen or so matches for Scottish junior side Tarff when he was invited to join Crystal Palace. Playing in their juniors he made one first team appearance, in Arthur Rowe's testimonial, up against a select XI including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Jimmy Greaves and Tommy Steele.

Ian moved to Canada, joining Toronto Metros in the North American Soccer League, scoring 10 goals in 31 matches.

He joined the Dons on an extended trial soon after the start of the 1972/73 season on the recommendation of captain John Loughlan, who he had played with in Crystal Palace's youth team, but his only start was in the 0-2 defeat at Dagenham in the London Challenge Cup.