They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps...if that’s the case then former football star Ian Fleming kept company with some of the best in the business.
He played under three men who tasted success at European Cup/Champions League level, a World Cup winner; he was team-mates with two future Scotland managers, he played under another- and he was Britain’s top goal grabber with 36 back in season 1973/74.
So it’s no surprise Ian’s been a smash hit on the Maybole community Facebook page, where he recently recalled the tales of his illustrious football career.
It’s where Ian, now 70, was born and bred.
The former Carrick Academy pupil said: “I played under three European Cup winners in Alex Ferguson, Billy McNeill and Tommy Gemmell, I played under one World Cup winner in Jack Charlton and one Scotland manager in Ally MacLeod, and I played with two Scottish managers Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish.
“And in 1973/74, I was leading goal-scorer in professional football in Britain with 36, although I thought it was 39, with Kilmarnock, so it’s not bad for a wee boy from Maybole!”
His football career started in the school playground.
Back in the day football scouts didn’t come to Maybole to view emerging talent, so striker Ian opted to join Craigmark and it was with the Dalmellington side that he did get picked up.
Offered a trial under Ally MacLeod at Ayr United, Ian freely admits the chance to progress didn’t work out.
MacLeod, though, figures into the story later.
His professional start arrived with Ayr United’s bitter rivals Kilmarnock, where he spent four years, making nearly 100 appearances and averaging a goal every couple of games.
Ian said: “Craigmark told me Kilmarnock wanted me on trial after playing at Meadow Park in an Ayrshire Cup semi-final, but I only signed provisionally because they wanted to loan me back to Craigmark. Eventually, I got my chance under Walter McCrae.”
At 17, he made an big impact, scoring two against Ayr United at Somerset Park in a 2-1 Ayrshire Derby clash.
Ian joked: "I made sure a red-faced Ally knew I scored twice that day, given the previous trial I'd had at Ayr United."
After his time at Rugby Park was up, Ian was on his way to the North East, when MacLeod was appointed Aberdeen boss. Fleming was his first signing, culminating in League Cup Final glory over Celtic in 1976.
He said: “I just worked my socks off and scored goals. All I wanted to do was be a professional football player.”
Midway into his Aberdeen tenure MacLeod took on the Scotland job and his replacement? A certain Billy McNeill.
“Billy was the best manager I played under,” admitted Fleming.
“He was a good man, even after my football days ended. He was a good man-manager. He was a gentleman.”
In 1979, Fleming headed south after Jock Stein recommended him to Sheffield Wednesday boss, Jackie Charlton.
Unfortunately Ian’s wife Susanne, who passed away 2022, couldn’t settle in South Yorkshire, so the family headed north where their next port of call was Dundee - under another Lisbon Lion, Tommy Gemmell.
Two years at Dens were followed by a good five year stint at Brechin City, where as player/manager he led The Hedgemen to First Division promotion.
Towards the end of his managerial career Fleming spent time in Iceland, bossing Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, or FH as they are often referred.
Ian said: “I liked the experience but it meant leaving my family for nine months of the year and the kids were young at the time. It just wasn’t fair.”
These days Ian occupies his days with a round of golf at Carnoustie, where he’s also a former club champion from 1996, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Ian added: “It doesn’t matter what sport I’m involved in, I’m a winner! I’m fiercely competitive and even my children and grandchildren will tell you that!”
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