Ian Love

Ian James Love (born 1 March 1958) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a forward. He made 52 appearances in the Football League during spells with Swansea City, Torquay United and Cardiff City.

Ian Love

Personal information
Full name	Ian James Love[1]
Date of birth	(1958-03-01) 1 March 1958 (age 66)
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1979–1982	Barry Town	100	(35)
1982–1984	Merthyr Tydfil
1984–1986	Barry Town	34	(15)
1986–1989	Swansea City	41	(10)
1989	Torquay United	9	(0)
1989–1990	Cardiff City	2	(0)
1990–1991	Barry Town	46	(9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

After playing local league football, Love joined Barry Town in 1979.^[3] In two spells with Barry and one with Merthyr Tydfil, he impressed enough to be offered a professional deal by Swansea City in 1986.^[4] He scored nine goals in 41 league appearances for the side. He also scored in the first leg of the 1988 Football League Fourth Division play-off final as Swansea won promotion to the Third Division.^[4]

He was sold to Torquay United for £2,000 in March 1989 but left the club soon after. He joined Cardiff City on non-contract terms,^[5] making two league appearances before returning to Barry Town.^[4]

References

1. "Ian Love". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
3. "Season Archive". Barry Town United F.C. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
4. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 119. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
5. "Players of the Past". Swansea City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2018.