The Salford Red was well known to thousands who follow the team home and away, and had helped many of that number – both directly and indirectly – via his roles with Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) and the Fans’ Forum. But ultimately, Ian was a supporter. And it’s not every day that the first team wears black armbands to mark the passing of a fan.
That’s what happened when Erik ten Hag’s side took on Southampton on 12 March, with chief executive Richard Arnold placing on record the club’s gratitude for his “towering” contribution as a “relentless and unflinching advocate for the interest of fans”.