Moore: Ian Ronald (Ian)

2005-2007 (Player Details)

Striker

Born: Birkenhead: 26-08-1976

Debut: v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h): 02-04-05

5’11” 12st (2006)

Moore began his career at Tranmere Rovers in July 1994, where he broke into the first team while still a teenager, and made fifty-eight League appearances, of which seventeen were as a substitute, scoring twelve goals. He also made two FA Cup appearances, one as a substitute and five League Cup appearances, two as a substitute and one other game while scoring one goal in the League Cup in his almost three years at Prenton Park. He also spent a month on loan at Bradford City starting in September 1996 to gain more first team experience. He made six appearances at Valley Parade without scoring. His impact on a Tranmere side that at the time was a regular contender for promotion to the Premier League, where his records for goals and all-round contribution to play were impressive, along with his inclusion in England Youth sides at all levels up to Under-Twenty-one's, led many to believe he was destined to play at an even higher level. He made his first big-money move in March 1997 in a £1 million move to Nottingham Forest but failed to make a significant impact, getting just one goal in fifteen games, of which twelve were as substitute, and so was loaned out again, this time to West Ham United. Moore was given little chance at Upton Park and made just one substitute appearance without scoring. Stockport County were the next team to take a gamble on the goal-shy striker and signed him for a club record fee of £800,000. To some extent the gamble paid off and Moore gave a goal return of almost one goal in every four games, netting twenty times and becoming the club's leading scorer. His record in his two years at Edgeley Park was twenty goals in ninety-three appearances, ten as a substitute. In the Cups he scored once in three appearances in the FA Cup and twice in eight in the League Cup.This rapid improvement in form brought the attention of north-west neighbours Burnley and Moore moved to Turf Moor for a £1million record transfer fee in November 2000. Moore became known at Turf Moor for his pace and dedication, and would regularly chase down goalkeepers and defenders to try and force mistakes. Moore went on to make one hundred and ninety-two League appearances, of which twenty-two were as substitute, for 'The Clarets', scoring thirty-seven League goals in the process. He seemed to enjoy the FA Cup, netting a hat-trick against Canvey Island and a double against Bournemouth and scored twelve goals in seventeen FA Cup appearances, and one goal in the League Cup in six appearances including one as a substitute. He was watched by several larger clubs, but actual bids for the striker failed to materialise and Moore remained at Burnley. As his career continued at Turf Moor, he was increasingly played as a winger, a position which would try to use his pace. This was not a position which Moore enjoyed though, and he would often visibly 'sulk' in games, and his previous determination had gone. Whilst at Burnley he also suffered a series of injuries which, while not career ending, were severe enough for the previously quick striker to lose much of his pace. In the last year of his contract, Leeds United decided to sign the striker, where he re-joined the ex-Burnley Assistant Manager, Sam Ellis. Moore was sold by Burnley in March 2005, for a fee of £50,000, an amount many Burnley fans were surprised at due to the player's loss of form. Moore hardly featured under Manager Kevin Blackwell with many Leeds fans seeing Moore as a waste of time and space. However, on 19th September 2006 in the League Cup game against Barnet, Moore scored his first goals for Leeds United, netting twice to lead the team to a 3–1 victory. Under new Manager, Dennis Wise, he played regularly and looked a completely new player. He scored his first League goal for Leeds United against Southend United at Elland Road and later scored against Stoke City too. When Danny Wilson brought the much-travelled striker Ian Moore to Hartlepool United from Leeds on 12th July 2007 on a free transfer. The signing was greeted with a little scepticism among the supporters. Moore didn`t have a very prolific goalscoring record and he was the wrong side of 30. However, he made his debut at Luton Town on 11th August 2007 and, after a slow start, Moore began to win over the fans with some whole-hearted displays eitheras an out-and-out striker or in a wide role. He scored some useful goals and was one of the brighter players in a frustrating season. Unfortunately all was not well. Moore had a young family in Warrington and was finding the travelling a little difficult. He was placed on the transfer list in January 2008 and after playing his last game at home to Cheltenham Town on 18th January 2008 he left to join Tranmere Rovers, who were managed by his father Ronnie, on 31st January 2008 for an undisclosed fee. He scored six goals in twenty-four League appearances of which two were from the bench,together with one goal in two F.A. Cup starts, one goal in two League Cup starts and another goal in two Johnstone's Paint Trophy starts. He scored on his debut against his former club Leeds United in a 2–0 Tranmere victory. In July 2009 he changed his name to Ian Thomas-Moore when he got married. He signed a two year extension to his contract with Tranmere Rovers after new boss John Barnes took over on 3rd July 2009. He was impressive throughout the 2008-09 season, scoring eleven times as Tranmere finished in seventh spot. He continued the good form in 2009-10 and scored fifteen times, notching his one hundredth League goal as Tranmere upset leaders Norwich City 3-1 on 2nd April 2010, followed that up with another as they beat third placed Millwall and scored on the final day of the season as Stockport County were beaten to stave off relegation. To the end of the 2009-10 season he had scored twenty-six goals in ninety-eight League starts and four games from the bench, together with one goal in seven F.A. Cup starts and one game from the bench, one goal in two League Cup starts and one goal in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy from three starts and two games from the bench, while at Prenton Park. He played seven times for England at Under-Twenty-one level.