Remembering Ian Black’s Fulham achievements

There’s a terrific article on the Aberdeen Live website this evening remember their native son Ian Black, who would have turned 99 today. It details his football career in great depth, discussing how he made more than 260 appearances having followed Bill Dodgin from Southampton to Craven Cottage, and how his love of sport continued after hanging up his boots, especially as secretary at Tolworth FC. Black, who sadly passed away in December 2012, was noted for his heroism and became the only Fulham goalkeeper to score for the club when – in the days before substitutes – he was sent up front and headed in an Arthur Stevens’ cross during a 6-1 win over Leicester City in 1962. He made 282 appearances in total for the Whites before his time as first-choice goalkeeper was ended by the emergence of Tony Macedo. Black, who also served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War, was a stalwart in one of the most attractive sides in Fulham’s history and this article is a fitting tribute to his brilliance in goal and his commitment to the sport. It is well worth a read.