Ian Ross

Ian Ross 1947-2019

The club have been saddened to hear of the passing of former manager Ian Ross.
Glasgow-born Ian had a highly successful playing career which kicked off with Liverpool back in 1966 having been signed by legendary Reds manager Bill Shankly.

During a seven year Reds career Ian made over 60 appearances and scored 5 goals.

He was later transferred to Aston Villa for a fee of £60,000 in 1972 where he captained the side that won promotion to the first division of English football in 1975 and was a member of the Villa side that lifted the Football League Cup.

Ian later had spells with Peterborough United, Wolves and Hereford United.

In season 1982-83 he had brief spell in caretaker charge of Wolves before embarking on a successful managerial career in Iceland where he bossed Valur
and KR Reykjavík over a five year spell.

His next port of call was Huddersfield Town where he spent a season before returning back to Iceland for a stint with Keflavík.
After short spell helping out with Sunderland’s youngsters – Ian was the surprise choice to succeed Tom Hendrie after he resigned and moved to Alloa in March 1996.

Based in Chester-Le-Street, Ross endured a baptism of fire losing his first game at Ayr United 5-0.
However he stabilised the ship winning seven out of the remaining nine league games in emphatic fashion to secure a third place finish with some swashbuckling football as well as guiding the club to a City Cup success over Livingston in the final.

Sadly for Ian the successful side that he inherited broke up come the end of that 1995/96 season with the bulk of it opting to join their former manager at Alloa and with others receiving better offers than the Borderers could offer them due to the cash restraints that the club was working under.

Sadly with Berwick struggling at the foot of the table the following season Rangers and Ian unfortunately parted company.

Everyone connected with the club would like to offer their condolences to Ian’s family after that sad loss.

(With thanks to Chris Sanderson)

Also the club were saddened again at news of the passing of former Berwick Advertiser Sports Editor and Main Editor TONY LANGMACK.
Tony was a great friend and follower of the club and edited the Centenary Book in 1981. Sincere condolences from the club are passed to his family.