Ian Roper

Ian Roper Date of Birth: Jun 20, 1977

Born Nuneaton, Warwickshire, he started his career at Walsall in 1995. A commanding centre back, Ian made well over 300 appearances for the Saddlers including promotion to the 2nd tier via the play offs in 2001.

When Ian was released in 2008, Mick Harford, looking for experience in the minus 30 points season, signed him on a free transfer. The season started badly when defensive errors gave Port Vale a 3 1 win at Kenilworth Road after the Town had dominated. Looking for quick fixes to try to claw back the points, Ian fell out of favour until the middle of October which started a run of games in the first team. His run ended with a 25th minute injury in February in the Johnstones Paint Trophy semi-final win over Brighton. Ian came back and was on the bench as an unused substitute for the famous Trophy win over Scunthorpe United at Wembley. Ian’s last game was the Town’s last game in the Football League in 2009 as a substitute at Brentford.

Ian moved on a free transfer to Kettering Town for two seasons where he made 70 appearances. Ian ended his career by nearly moving to Tamworth but changed his mind and went to 8th tier Bedworth United in the summer of 2011.