Former Chester star Ian Moir has died after a long battle with cancer. The popular Aberdeen born winger only played 25 league games for the club but made a huge impact in this short period and will always be fondly remembered by Blues fans. Ian continued to live in Vicar’s Cross after his retirement from the game and remained well-known in the area for his involvement in local football and crown-green bowling.

As a youngster, Ian drew the attention of Manchester United having represented Aberdeen Schoolboys and the national team at junior level. He signed schoolboy terms at Old Trafford at the age of 15 and after two years was signed on professional terms by Matt Busby. United were in the process of rebuilding after the Munich disaster and the highly thought of 17 year old was quickly given a break in the first team when he made his debut against Bolton Wanderers in October 1960 at the same time as Nobby Stiles. In 1961 he played against Chester at Sealand Road, for the inauguration of the new floodlights, when United won 6-0.

Ian went on to make 45 league appearances for United over the following five seasons where he played alongside Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. In the end he lost out to the emerging George Best and in 1965 joined First Division Blackpool for £30,000.

Ian spent two years at Bloomfield Road and when Peter Hauser brought him to Chester for £10,000, in May 1967, he became the club’s record signing. He held this record until the arrival of Chris Dunleavy from Southport for £12,000 in September 1973.

As a big money signing a great deal was expected of Ian but he more than lived up to expectations and his pace and natural ability soon made him a crowd favourite. Although tall for a winger he was incredibly skilful and it was perhaps unfortunate that he joined a club on the decline after the successes of the preceding seasons. Ian made his debut in the opening game of the 1967/68 campaign, against Notts County, and was the shining light in a team struggling in the re-election zone. One of the few bright spots in the season was a 6-0 victory over Lincoln City, a game in which Ian scored two of his three league goals for the club.

That game proved to be Ian’s swansong at Sealand Road and the Scotsman was reluctantly transferred to Wrexham in January 1968 with Chester recouping their money and receiving centre half Graham Turner in exchange. Such was Ian’s influence on the team that only two points were picked up from the next eight games.

After leaving Chester Ian spent the next seven and a half seasons at Wrexham interspersed with a season at Shrewsbury in 1971. He made 165 league appearances at the Racecourse and helped the club to promotion in 1969/70. At the end of the 1974/75 season he was released by Wrexham and, after turning down the opportunity to play for Chicago Sting in the USA, moved out to Pretoria in South Africa where he played for Arcadia Shepherds. After returning to this country Ian had spells with Oswestry Town and Colwyn Bay and worked for British Nuclear Fuels in Capenhurst.

It is impossible to find anyone who didn’t warm to Ian’s infectious enthusiasm and he was one of the most likeable people you could hope to meet. Even when he was suffering with his illness he remained cheerful and optimistic and an encounter with Ian always raised the spirits. It was perhaps this laid back approach that prevented Ian from reaching the heights at Old Trafford that his natural, raw talent probably deserved but in itself this was a strength in his personality and he will be badly missed.

Chester FC sends out their condolences to his family and friends.

Chas Sumner [30/3/15]