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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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