Ian Frederick Filby (born 9 October 1954) is an English retired professional football forward who played professionally in England, South Africa and North America.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ian Frederick Filby[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1954-10-09) 9 October 1954 (age 67) | ||
| Place of birth | Woodford, England | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1971–1972 | Orient | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1972–1975 | Orient | 0 | (0) |
| 1973 | → Montreal Olympique (loan) | 19 | (3) |
| 1974 | → Brentford (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1974 | → St Mirren (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| → Romford (loan) | 5 | (1) | |
| 1976–1978 | Durban City | ||
| 1979 | Lusitano | ||
| 1979–1980 | Sacramento Gold | 42 | (25) |
| 1980 | Pennsylvania Stoners | ||
| 1981 | California Surf | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Filby began his career in the youth system at Second Division club Orient and signed his first professional contract on his 18th birthday in October 1972.[2] He later won the London Challenge Cup with the reserve team in 1972 and 1973.[1] He failed to make a first team appearance for the club before departing in 1975.[2]
Filby moved to Canada to join North American Soccer League club Montreal Olympique on loan for the 1973 season.[3] Manager Graham Adams commented that Filby was faster and had better ball control than the previous season's highly rated Scottish player Graeme Souness.[4] Despite the build-up, Filby managed just three goals in Olympique's 19 regular season games.[3]
Filby joined Fourth Division club Brentford on loan in September 1974 and made just three appearances during his spell.[1]
Filby had loans at Scottish club St Mirren and Southern League Premier Division club Romford during the 1974–75 season.[5]
Filby moved to South Africa in 1976 and played for National Football League and National Premier Soccer League clubs Durban City and Lusitano.[3]
Filby returned to North America to sign for American Soccer League club Sacramento Gold in 1979.[3] He had a good 1979 season, finishing the campaign as the league's top scorer (with 45 points) and winning the championship (after a 1–0 victory over Columbus Magic in the final) and being named on the league's All-Star team.[6] Filby scored 11 goals in the 1980 season, before departing midway through the campaign.[3]
Filby signed for American Soccer League club Pennsylvania Stoners during the 1980 season and won his second successive championship, beating former club Sacramento Gold 2–1 in the final.[7]
Filby returned to the North American Soccer League to sign for California Surf in 1981.[3]
After retiring from professional play, Filby remained in Northern California and continued to play in the amateur Central California Soccer League.[8]
Orient Reserves
Sacramento Gold
Pennsylvania Stoners
Individual
Filby's brother Malcolm was also a footballer and the pair played together at Sacramento Gold and California Surf.[9][10][11]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Montreal Olympique (loan) | 1973[3] | North American Soccer League | 19 | 3 | — | — | 19 | 3 | ||
| Brentford (loan) | 1974–75[12] | Fourth Division | 3 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Sacramento Gold | 1979[3] | American Soccer League | 26 | 14 | — | — | 26 | 14 | ||
| California Surf | 1981[3] | North American Soccer League | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 49 | 17 | 0 | 0 | — | 49 | 17 | |||