Already with five clubs under his belt since he
turned professional in December 1982, Ian joined Burnley the season after the Sherpa Van
Trophy Final. He fitted into the side immediately for an injured Peter Daniel and soon
became a firm favourite with his determined tackling and distinctive running style. He
made his debut on the 12th November 1988 in a well-forgotten 1-0 defeat at
Scarborough and apart from one game was an ever present for the rest of the season. In
February 1989 Ian was to have a very eventful game against Peterborough United; he
conceded a 64th minute penalty with a rash challenge, but took only 10 minutes
to redress the mistake by scoring his first of only two career goals past a helpless Paul
Crichton. (No surprise there!)
Ian made the number two shirt his own and his
quick attacking runs fitted in well with Burnley’s sweeper system at the time. He
became an automatic name on the team sheet over the next two seasons and with his regular
solid performances became one of my favourite players. It was the 1991-92 season that
myself and a friend decided to sponsor his boots. What a season for us to pick. Although
Ian’s position came under threat from Paul France, briefly, he still made 32 League
and Cup appearances. The season was capped with a glorious goal in the final game, a 3-1
away win at Rochdale, denying them a place in the divisional play-offs. I was very proud
to be presented with a commemorative certificate by Ian himself for our sponsoring
efforts.
The consistent performances carried on
throughout the next season back in the new Division Two. He was renowned for his fast
overlapping runs down the wing and his resolute defensive tackling. He had only played six
games during the 1993-94 season before a shock transfer to Doncaster Rovers in September
for £40,000. It was later that season that Ian suffered an alarming injury in a match at
Torquay. He broke his neck and was ruled out of the game for 15 months. He spent long
periods of this time in traction allowing his fractures to heal and a full recovery to be
made. Ian would return to Turf Moor and assist with the commentary for a local radio
station. His career ended in May 1996 when Doncaster Rovers released him.
I was to meet up again with Ian in May 1997 at a
sportsman's dinner to celebrate ten years since the Orient Game. During the evening I
spoke to Ian and he told me of his affinity for the club. He told me about the numerous
"get well" messages he received during his convalescence and how he was touched
that even after leaving a club he was not forgotten by the supporters. He is a player I
admired for his wholehearted commitment to a football club that he loved as much as us
all.
Career appearances for
Burnley:
League 182 (goals 2)
Cup 27
Other 33
Julian Booth
November 1999
Just read Julian Booth's piece on Ian
Measham and it reminded me of one of those moments supporting Burnley which are fairly
insignificant but last in the memory forever. Though having said that, I've just been
discussing the incident with my son and we both have different views of what exactly
happened and in which season. Anyway, I'm 90% sure it was in 1990/91 when we pulled off
probably our best away win of the season winning 3-1 with Eli, Francis and Futcher tearing
the Scunthorpe defence to ribbons. The memory is that of Measham chasing a ball back
towards the corner pursued by an opposition player. Looking to be in a no win situation
and having no option but to clear the ball for a corner or throw in, he turns and nutmegs
the oncoming forward, doubles back and beats him again and calmly plays the ball back to
the goalie (Pearce?). The classiest and coolest example of defending since John Angus. But
the icing on the cake was an instantaneous cheer from the Burnley supporters followed by a
chant from what seemed like thousands of 'MEASHAM, MEASHAM, MEASHAM, MEASHAM'. I was one
of those millions. But the icing on the icing was Measham, a normally undemonstrative
chap, raising clenched fist in an acknowledgement of his achievement and enjoying the
rapturous support of his adoring public. The crowd went wild.
This is my recollection of the incident and the one,
whether right or wrong, I'd like to retain.
John A Brown
1999
'My Hero' menu
The 1991/1992 season menu
