Ian Moore
Encyclopedia
Ian Thomas-Moore is a retired English
professional footballer
He mostly played as a centre-forward but also played on the right wing. He is the son of former Rotherham United
manager Ronnie Moore
. He was known as Ian Moore until he married Victoria Thomas in July 2009 and added her surname to his own.
, where he broke into the first team while still a teenager, and made more than 50 appearances. He also spent a short period on loan at Bradford City
to gain more first team experience. His impact on a Tranmere side that at the time was a regular contender for promotion to the Premier League, where his records for goals and assists and all-round contribution to play were impressive, along with his inclusion in England youth sides at all levels up to under-21s, led many to believe he was destined to play at an even higher level.
under Dave Bassett
but failed to make a significant impact – getting just one goal in 15 games and so was loaned out again, this time to West Ham United
. Moore was given little chance at the Boleyn Ground
and made just one substitute appearance.
was the next team to take a gamble on the goal-shy striker who signed him for a club record fee of £800,000. To some extent the gamble paid off and Moore gave a goal return of almost one goal in every four games – netting 20 times and becoming the club's leading scorer.
and Thomas-Moore moved to Turf Moor
for a £1million record transfer fee in the winter of 2000.
Moore became known at Turf Moor for his pace and dedication, and regularly chased down goalkeepers and defenders to try and force mistakes. Moore went on to make almost 200 appearances for 'The Clarets', scoring 37 league goals in the process. He seemed to enjoy the FA Cup
most though – netting a hat-trick against Canvey Island
and a double against Bournemouth
. Some of his fans said he was like a "dog with a balloon".
As his career progressed at Turf Moor
, Moore was increasingly played as a winger, to take advantage of his pace. This was not a position which Moore enjoyed though, and he often visibly 'sulked' in games, and his previous determination had gone. Whilst at Burnley he also suffered a series of injuries which, while not career ending, were severe enough for the previously quick striker to lose much of his pace.
decided to sign the striker, where he re-joined the ex-Burnley assistant manager, Sam Ellis. Moore was sold by Steve Cotterill
for a fee of £50,000, an amount many Burnley fans were surprised at due to the player's loss of form. Moore hardly featured under manager Kevin Blackwell
with many Leeds fans seeing Moore as a waste of time and space. However, on 19 September 2006 in the League Cup
game against Barnet, Moore scored his first goals for Leeds United, netting twice to lead the team to a 3–1 victory.
Under new manager, Dennis Wise
, Moore played regularly and looked a completely new player. He scored his first league goal for Leeds United against Southend United
at Elland Road
in Wise's first game in charge and later scored against Stoke City
too. However, he was released at the end of the season following his club's relegation to League One
.
when he signed for Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his debut against his former club Leeds United
in a 2–0 Tranmere victory. He also netted against Millwall and Port Vale as he ended the season playing up front with Chris Greenacre
. Moore continued his good form against old club Leeds by scoring in a 2–1 home victory in the 2008/09 season
He ended up having an impressive season for Rovers, he scored 11 times as Rovers finished 7th and were two minutes away from clinching a play off place. Thomas-Moore scored a quality double against Carlisle in Rovers' 4–1 win. He also added goals against the likes of Stockport, Southend and Oldham as well as gaining a goal of the season candidate with a volley against Scunthorpe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Thomas-Moore had another impressive season at Tranmere in 2009/10 season, having netted 15 goals, including two penalties against League One leaders Norwich City
in a surprise 3–1 victory at Prenton Park
. Ian Thomas Moore scored his 100th football league goal against Norwich. Moore also netted against Southampton, Gillingham, Wycombe and Aldershot. One of his most important goals in the same season was a valuable equaliser as Tranmere earned a point away at Colchester in their bid to avoid relegation.
Again Thomas-Moore proved why he was awarded Player of the Season at Tranmere, creating and scoring a vital penalty to put Tranmere 1–0 up in their vital clash against Millwall at Prenton Park, which resulted in Tranmere running out 2–0 winners. Moore also assisted in the second goal.
Moore's impressive season went all the way to the last game of the season away at Stockport County, where he scored the second goal in possibly the biggest game of his career.
In August 2010, manager Les Parry
revealed that Thomas-Moore had submitted a transfer request after being approached by another club, rumoured to be Rotherham United where his father Ronnie Moore
was, at the time, manager.
for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut in a 4-0 win over his old club Stockport County
and set up strike partner Adam le Fondre
for the fourth goal of the game.
On Twitter on 21/06/2011 Ian announced he had left Rotherham by mutual consent, three months after his father had also "left by mutual consent".
He has since trained with League 2 club Accrington Stanley with a view to sign, but nothing materialised and on the 18th of August it was announced he had turned Stanley down on an offer of a non-contract basis.
After his release from Rotherham he hinted he may hang his boots up and retire. He said "If nothing happens by the first week of August, I might have to call it a day."
In August 2011 Moore began training daily with Stockport County from the Blue Square Premier.
On Tuesday 6th September 2011, Thomas-Moore posted on the social networking site Twitter
that he was retiring from professional football. Thomas-Moore posted: "After a long hard think over weekend, I have decided to pull the curtain down on my career, was hard but the right time, thanks for support".
at all levels up to under-21
and has 7 under-21 caps in total.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
He mostly played as a centre-forward but also played on the right wing. He is the son of former Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
manager Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
. He was known as Ian Moore until he married Victoria Thomas in July 2009 and added her surname to his own.
Tranmere Rovers
Moore began his career at Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, where he broke into the first team while still a teenager, and made more than 50 appearances. He also spent a short period on loan at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
to gain more first team experience. His impact on a Tranmere side that at the time was a regular contender for promotion to the Premier League, where his records for goals and assists and all-round contribution to play were impressive, along with his inclusion in England youth sides at all levels up to under-21s, led many to believe he was destined to play at an even higher level.
Nottingham Forest
He made his first big-money move in March 1997 in a £1million move to Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
under Dave Bassett
Dave Bassett
David Bassett , also frequently known by his nickname of Harry, is an English football manager and a former player....
but failed to make a significant impact – getting just one goal in 15 games and so was loaned out again, this time to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. Moore was given little chance at the Boleyn Ground
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
and made just one substitute appearance.
Stockport County
Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
was the next team to take a gamble on the goal-shy striker who signed him for a club record fee of £800,000. To some extent the gamble paid off and Moore gave a goal return of almost one goal in every four games – netting 20 times and becoming the club's leading scorer.
Burnley
This rapid improvement in form brought the attention of north west neighbours BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
and Thomas-Moore moved to Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
for a £1million record transfer fee in the winter of 2000.
Moore became known at Turf Moor for his pace and dedication, and regularly chased down goalkeepers and defenders to try and force mistakes. Moore went on to make almost 200 appearances for 'The Clarets', scoring 37 league goals in the process. He seemed to enjoy the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
most though – netting a hat-trick against Canvey Island
Canvey Island F.C.
Canvey Island F.C, known as the Gulls or Yellow Army, are an English football club founded in 1926 that play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
and a double against Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
. Some of his fans said he was like a "dog with a balloon".
As his career progressed at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
, Moore was increasingly played as a winger, to take advantage of his pace. This was not a position which Moore enjoyed though, and he often visibly 'sulked' in games, and his previous determination had gone. Whilst at Burnley he also suffered a series of injuries which, while not career ending, were severe enough for the previously quick striker to lose much of his pace.
Leeds United
In the last year of his contract, Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
decided to sign the striker, where he re-joined the ex-Burnley assistant manager, Sam Ellis. Moore was sold by Steve Cotterill
Steve Cotterill
Stephen "Steve" Cotterill is an English former footballer who is manager of Nottingham Forest.-Playing career:...
for a fee of £50,000, an amount many Burnley fans were surprised at due to the player's loss of form. Moore hardly featured under manager Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Blackwell
Kevin Patrick Blackwell is an English former professional football goalkeeper who since retiring as a player has worked as a coach and a manager. He has an identical twin, Noel.-Early career:...
with many Leeds fans seeing Moore as a waste of time and space. However, on 19 September 2006 in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
game against Barnet, Moore scored his first goals for Leeds United, netting twice to lead the team to a 3–1 victory.
Under new manager, Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
, Moore played regularly and looked a completely new player. He scored his first league goal for Leeds United against Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
in Wise's first game in charge and later scored against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
too. However, he was released at the end of the season following his club's relegation to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Hartlepool United
Moore signed for Hartlepool United on 12 July 2007, on a free transfer. But after nine goals from 30 appearances in all competitions he was transfer listed by the club in January 2008.Back to Tranmere
On 31 January 2008 Moore joined his father RonnieRonnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
when he signed for Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his debut against his former club Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in a 2–0 Tranmere victory. He also netted against Millwall and Port Vale as he ended the season playing up front with Chris Greenacre
Chris Greenacre
Chris Greenacre is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Club career:...
. Moore continued his good form against old club Leeds by scoring in a 2–1 home victory in the 2008/09 season
He ended up having an impressive season for Rovers, he scored 11 times as Rovers finished 7th and were two minutes away from clinching a play off place. Thomas-Moore scored a quality double against Carlisle in Rovers' 4–1 win. He also added goals against the likes of Stockport, Southend and Oldham as well as gaining a goal of the season candidate with a volley against Scunthorpe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Thomas-Moore had another impressive season at Tranmere in 2009/10 season, having netted 15 goals, including two penalties against League One leaders Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in a surprise 3–1 victory at Prenton Park
Prenton Park
Prenton Park is an association football stadium in Birkenhead, England. It is the home ground of Tranmere Rovers F.C. The club moved to the current Prenton Park in 1912. The ground has had several rebuilds, with the most recent occurring in 1995 in response to the requirement of the Taylor Report...
. Ian Thomas Moore scored his 100th football league goal against Norwich. Moore also netted against Southampton, Gillingham, Wycombe and Aldershot. One of his most important goals in the same season was a valuable equaliser as Tranmere earned a point away at Colchester in their bid to avoid relegation.
Again Thomas-Moore proved why he was awarded Player of the Season at Tranmere, creating and scoring a vital penalty to put Tranmere 1–0 up in their vital clash against Millwall at Prenton Park, which resulted in Tranmere running out 2–0 winners. Moore also assisted in the second goal.
Moore's impressive season went all the way to the last game of the season away at Stockport County, where he scored the second goal in possibly the biggest game of his career.
In August 2010, manager Les Parry
Les Parry
Dr. Les Parry is the current manager of Tranmere Rovers.Parry is a qualified physiotherapist and worked with Tranmere Rovers in that capacity since the early nineties before succeeding John Barnes in the managerial position at Tranmere.-Tranmere Rovers:Rovers sacked manager John Barnes and his...
revealed that Thomas-Moore had submitted a transfer request after being approached by another club, rumoured to be Rotherham United where his father Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
was, at the time, manager.
Rotherham United
On 26 January 2011 Thomas-Moore signed for Rotherham United F.C.Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut in a 4-0 win over his old club Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
and set up strike partner Adam le Fondre
Adam le Fondre
Glenville Adam J. le Fondre , more commonly known as Adam Le Fondre, is an English footballer who plays for Reading as a striker. He previously played for his hometown club Stockport County, Rochdale and Rotherham United...
for the fourth goal of the game.
On Twitter on 21/06/2011 Ian announced he had left Rotherham by mutual consent, three months after his father had also "left by mutual consent".
He has since trained with League 2 club Accrington Stanley with a view to sign, but nothing materialised and on the 18th of August it was announced he had turned Stanley down on an offer of a non-contract basis.
After his release from Rotherham he hinted he may hang his boots up and retire. He said "If nothing happens by the first week of August, I might have to call it a day."
In August 2011 Moore began training daily with Stockport County from the Blue Square Premier.
On Tuesday 6th September 2011, Thomas-Moore posted on the social networking site Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
that he was retiring from professional football. Thomas-Moore posted: "After a long hard think over weekend, I have decided to pull the curtain down on my career, was hard but the right time, thanks for support".
International career
Moore has played for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at all levels up to under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
and has 7 under-21 caps in total.