Ian Westwater
Encyclopedia
Ian Westwater is an English
former professional football goalkeeper
, who spent the majority of his career with Scottish
side Dunfermline Athletic
.
, making his debut for the Tynecastle
side at just 16 years of age. He went on to play only one other game for the side, before being signed by Dunfermline Athletic
for £4,000 in March 1985. It was with Dunfermline that Westwater would be most prosperous, playing in over 190 games in his first spell at the club. His debut came against Stranraer
in April 1985.
Westwater moved to local rivals Falkirk
in a player swap deal in August 1991, where in his first season he helped the club gain promotion to the Scottish Premier Division. After being relegated in 1993, he again helped the side in 1994 in their promotion winning season before moving on a short term deal to Dundee
.
After playing no games for Dundee, Westwater moved back to Dunfermline Athletic for his second spell with the club, signing for £15,000. He stayed with the Pars, helping them achieve promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1996. He played in over 110 league games in his second spell but towards the end of his Dunfermline career, he was ousted by younger goalkeepers. He made the short move across the River Forth
to Easter Road
side Hibernian
in 2000, where he would fail to play any matches before hanging up his gloves in 2004.
, Westwater was the goalkeeping coach for the Leith
side. He had to retire from football completely in 2005 due to injury and was replaced by Gordon Marshall
as Hibs' goalkeeping coach.
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...
former professional football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, who spent the majority of his career with Scottish
Football in Scotland
Association football is the national sport in Scotland and highly popular throughout the country. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite...
side Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
.
Playing
Westwater started his career with Scottish Premier Division side HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, making his debut for the Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
side at just 16 years of age. He went on to play only one other game for the side, before being signed by Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
for £4,000 in March 1985. It was with Dunfermline that Westwater would be most prosperous, playing in over 190 games in his first spell at the club. His debut came against Stranraer
Stranraer F.C.
Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:...
in April 1985.
Westwater moved to local rivals Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in a player swap deal in August 1991, where in his first season he helped the club gain promotion to the Scottish Premier Division. After being relegated in 1993, he again helped the side in 1994 in their promotion winning season before moving on a short term deal to Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
.
After playing no games for Dundee, Westwater moved back to Dunfermline Athletic for his second spell with the club, signing for £15,000. He stayed with the Pars, helping them achieve promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in 1996. He played in over 110 league games in his second spell but towards the end of his Dunfermline career, he was ousted by younger goalkeepers. He made the short move across the River Forth
River Forth
The River Forth , long, is the major river draining the eastern part of the central belt of Scotland.The Forth rises in Loch Ard in the Trossachs, a mountainous area some west of Stirling...
to Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
side Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 2000, where he would fail to play any matches before hanging up his gloves in 2004.
Coaching
During his spell with HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, Westwater was the goalkeeping coach for the Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
side. He had to retire from football completely in 2005 due to injury and was replaced by Gordon Marshall
Gordon Marshall (footballer born 1964)
Gordon Marshall is a former Scottish professional football goalkeeper. He is currently goalkeeping coach at Motherwell.-Career:...
as Hibs' goalkeeping coach.