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Ian Baird had two spells at Leeds, joining initially from
Southampton in 1985. His aggression and goals made him popular with
the fans, but he was sold to 1st Division new boys Portsmouth, but
financial problems caused him to be sold back to Leeds for
£100,000 less than Portsmouth paid after 9 months. His second
spell at Leeds saw reasonable success in front of goal, but the
arrival of Lee Chapman as Leeds charged for promotion effectively
wrapped up his career, and Wilko sold him on to Boro. It turned out
to be an inspired sale, as Baird netted twice against Leeds'
promotion rivals Newcastle on the last day of the season, easing
the nerves of thousands of Leeds fans before Lee Chapman's goal
made the title absolutely certain at Bournemouth.
Jabba says: Cheers to Barry from Somerset for the photo.
Scott says: engaged to his sister
Amy Baird says: ian baird is a great footballer and a great
dad!
Daniel Beveridge says: He played for Hearts for a year or so and
is to this day known as the worst Hearts centre-forward of all
time. Whether it was hitting the bar from on the goal line at Ibrox
or being substituted for being unable to look good even against the
mighty Brechin City, he sticks in my mind, 10 years on, as a worse
player than my 4 year old brother.
Gav says: Can't believe he's slated by a Jambo! Baird did well
at Tynecastle, and always gave 200% for Hearts.
Ross Hamillton-Wright says: what a ledgend and his daughter is
fab 2
Allan Lock says: Met Ian recently in an Italian bar after Leeds
4-1 victory against Hapoel tel aviv......absolute top bloke!!! It
was a great game with smithy scoring all 4, but Ian topped the trip
off having pics with us and also joining the celebrations with us
all enjoying copius amounts of beer!!!
Mike F says: It seems sad that Paul Okon has loads of entries
telling us what a good player he is (you just don't notice because
he never tackles, makes forward runs or passes) and a god like Ian
Baird is slagged off by a Hearts fan. Ian was a great player for
Leeds in both his spells with the club. He was always covered in
mud even in summer and never gave less than 100%. He was actually a
pretty tidy footballer as well !
mick constable says: did ian score in the 1987 semi final if so
who else scored and did micky adams play
Jabba says: David Rennie and Keith Edwards got the goals in that
game, and yes Mickey Adams did play.
Martin Gale (Tef) says: I was lucky enough to have Bairdy as my
gaffer for a season or so in sunday league a few years back. He is
indeed a top bloke, hope he's doing ok now (last I heard he was
playing for BAT).
russ says: legend,remember him singing we hate chelsea at a
kippax supporters club do at U/D in armley
JaSpEr says: Ian Baird has recently joined Stevenage Borough as
a member of the coaching staff. Thought i'd update your info :)
craig myers says: ian baird was one of the greatest players to
have played at elland rooad & will always be rmembered for the
brave header against Q.P.R
johnny lord says: aye that header vs QPR in the cup...what a day
that was head where few people dare but their feet leeds legend
also helped boro stay up by scoring vs sheff utd and in the process
us up to the top flight his last goal was important en all vs the
mags...great header on the end of a zico cross
Garforth White says: nice to see a post from Ians daughter -
take it from me love he was great - he gave everything for Leeds -
still my all time favourite player - how i would love to see him
out there now instead of these jessies who turn out now for us
Andy Hirst says: Yes I saw Mr Baird play- even went to the same
school - top top man - remember when whole school were told to
watch him play on the Sat for England under 15's - waited in
anticipation only to see him on the bench with injury - wouldnt
like to have seen the other bloke!! Little secret though he has a
small admiration for Mancs - doesnt stop him being top lad
Mick Moss says: Ian Baird was my favourite leeds player of the
eighties.He always gave 100%.He was a tough player and was scared
of nobody.However I do remember leeds playing at leicester and he
came off second best with Steve Walsh, getting an elbow in the face
off the ball.I think I was the only one in the crowd who saw it!I
think Leeds won the game 2-1 with Glyn Snodin scoring a late
screamer.Happy memories!
Martin Conway says: Ian was the best player for Leeds in our
second division days. He was a titan, committed and dedicated. His
goals will always linger in the memory, and although we were out of
the top flight, in many ways I believe the enjoyment for me
watching him has been hitherto unsurpassed
peely says: a mate of mine was a massive bairdy fan he named his
son elliot baird wallace.he wants to get hold of a photo of bairdy
in his leeds days can you help.
Dean Drury says: I saw Ian play during the 80'S and grew up
during that time with Ian being one of my heroes and the reason I
enjoyed watching Leeds so much. I'll never forget the crowd singing
"Bairdy's gone get you" after some Centre Half had clocked him.
Silly mistake kicking Bairdy. I'd agree with some of the other
comments on here about watching Leeds during that period, it was
tremendous and much of this for me was down to Ian Baird
Dave (wimpy) Clements says: Spoke with Ian the other day and he
is going to come as guest of honour to the Hampshire Whites end of
season awards 2003/04. What a top man
Barry Atrill says: The 'BAT' that was mentioned stands for
British and American Tobacco Company based in the Southampton area.
They have a sports & social club side called BAT Sports who
play in the Wessex League.
ginner bailey says: he returned from pompey against
plymouth,warming up with merv day to the chant pyhsco is back,it
still makes the hairs on the back of my neck lift.my 2nd son now
has your name for a middle name fraser baird to follow elliot baird
can u or a fellow worshiper please send me a picture in the old
burton strip to show mi lads.
"Doc" Hyde says: I remember"Bear" and his brother "Little bear"
too,his friend Jerry(A latter day Arthur daley),and a girl he used
to chase after who we called Alenka Alenka!Playing the "Air guitar"
to the beachboys at 5am on New Years day 1984 at his Dads house!He
was very much the leader of the pack in those days and a great
laugh.
Raph Meade says: I agree, Bairdy is my all time favourite
player. An absolute God. I remember I had just started going out
with this burd once when she introduced me to some of her mates one
night. It turned out one of them had gone to school with Bairdy and
of course I insisted on talking about him all night. That was the
end of that relationship but I had a great night! As well as the
goal agin QPR remember the hat-trick v Plymouth and the fantastic
winner v Newcastle in 89/90, great days and worth 100 Vidukas.
Javaid Mehar says: Bairdy was a lionheart. He was tough as hell.
One of the few players who I've seen give Micky Droy a tough game.I
saw Scott Sellars score directly from a corner against Barnsley.
That goal owed a hell of a lot to Bairdys presence near Baker the
Barnsley keeper.
Franco Gasparotti says: I remember Bairdy scoring a brilliant
last minute winner away to Man City in the 80s. we were 1-0 down 10
mins to go, Scott Sellers pulled off the best solo dribble and
finish I've seen, before Bairdy scored a bullit header from a
corner in injury time. For me the 80s were the best as the away
games were like home games and the singing was brilliant, shut Man
City up that day and was worth all the crap the Man City fans threw
at us during the game! me Bairds guts and determination were second
to none!!
Dec says: I'd almost forgotten about the 80's until i read all
this. If you ever read this Mr Baird, you made a lot of Leeds fans
proud, we need someone like you now. And i think i was at the Man
City game Franco, was it on Boxing day?
Amy Baird says: The comment made by Daniel Beveridge was
complete rubbish, i may be biased but if you read all the other
comments it is proven he is most definetly wrong. Oh Thanks ross
for the comment
Julian Lloyd says: Bairdy was my hero. He worked his socks off
for the team. He would put to shame most of the overpaid lazy
pre-madonna's we have had since especially Yeboah and Viduka. I
particularly remember his goals at the Kop end against Hull and the
brilliant diving header against Newcastle. Quite simply Bairdy is a
legend in my eyes.
Steve says: As of today (1/12/04) Ian is confirmed Manager of
Havant & Waterlooville, currently mid-table in Conference
South. Joined us earlier in the year as a Director, was responsible
for getting one Dean Holdsworth to come along to Westleigh Park too
- nice to know he is widely respected.
Franco says: Hi Dec, Yes that game was on Boxing day all those
years ago and it was one of many great games I can remember in the
80s. Do you remember the FA CUP 3rd away game to Wolves when we won
3-1, that massive away end which had around 10,000 Leeds fans on
one side and the same of Wolves fans on the other. The atmosphere
that day was one of the best I have ever experienced because the
wolves fans thought they could pinch our great song Marching On
Together and we never stopped singing until the end, at one point
the Wolves fans actually aplauded us! What made it for me was the
late Eddie Gray show when if i'm correct scored 2 goals in the last
few minutes, and I have never heared MOT being sung that loud in my
life!! I miss those days as it was special to be a Leeds fan with
so many great away games to remember! there should be a chat forum
just to talk about the 80s! MOT Franco
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