Ian Gayle

Ian George Gayle (born 23 October 1992) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for club Whitstable Town.

Club career Gayle was born in Welling, London Borough of Bexley and is of Jamaican descent. Gayle joined the youth system at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2010 as a scholar. In March 2011, Gayle joined United Counties League Premier Division side St Neots Town on a youth loan. He made his debut for the club against Boston Town, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 win.

In August 2011, Gayle joined Isthmian League Division One North side Grays Athletic on a short-term loan deal with an option to extend. He made only one appearance during his loan spell in a 1–1 draw with Heybridge Swifts before returning to the Daggers. In October 2011, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Kingstonian on loan until the end of the season. His debut came in the 3–0 away league defeat to A.F.C. Hornchurch, featuring as a substitute. He made his debut for the club in a 4–1 home defeat to Guiseley. In January 2013, Gayle re-joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Kingstonian on loan. He played his first match in a 3–1 away win over Carshalton Athletic. His final game of the loan spell came against Leiston in a 2–2 draw. In November 2013, Gayle returned to Grays Athletic on an initial one-month deal. His first game came in a 1–0 defeat to Canvey Island. His final appearance for Grays came in a 3–2 away defeat to Dulwich Hamlet. In February 2014, Gayle was on the move again joining Conference South side Whitehawk on a one-month loan deal. His debut for the Hawks came in a 2–1 home defeat to Eastbourne Borough. His second and final game for the club came in a 3–1 defeat to Bath City. In June 2014, he signed a new one-year contract until 2015. In December 2014, following a 1–0 defeat to Bromley, his loan was extended for a further month. His final game for St Albans came in February 2015, in a 1–1 draw with Basingstoke Town. In August 2015, he re-joined National League South side St Albans City on an initial one-month loan. In November 2015, he joined National League South side Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan deal. In February 2016, he joined National League side Welling United on loan until the end of the season along with Adeoye Yusuff. In May 2016 as his contract expired, he was released along with eleven players as Dagenham were relegated to the National League.

In August 2016, he signed for National League side Braintree Town on a free transfer following his release by Dagenham. On the opening day of the season, he went onto make his debut during Braintree's 0–0 draw with North Ferriby United, playing the full 90 minutes. Following several major injuries, Gayle's playing time was limited at the National League side and the centre-back only managed to feature just twenty-three more times before leaving for Welling United in June 2017.

On 4 June 2018, following his release from Wealdstone, Gayle joined recently relegated Woking. On the opening day of the 2018–19 campaign, Gayle made his Woking debut during their 1–0 away victory over East Thurrock United, featuring for the entire 90 minutes. Three days later, he scored his first goal for the Surrey-based side, netting the winner in their 2–1 home victory against St Albans City.

In March 2022, Gayle joined Cray Valley Paper Mills on dual-registration basis.

In June 2022, Gayle signed for Isthmian Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta for the 2022/2023 campaign. He departed the club at the end of the 2024–25 season.

In June 2025, Gayle joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Lewes. In October 2025, he joined divisional rivals Ramsgate.

In May 2026, Gayle joined newly promoted Isthmian League South East Division club Whitstable Town.

Career statistics

Honours Club Woking National League South play-offs: 2018–19