Ian Morris

Ian Morris (born 27 February 1987) is an Irish football manager and former player.

Playing career Dublin-born Morris played youth football with Lourdes Celtic and later came through the youth ranks at Leeds United. On 23 September 2005, with Morris yet to make a first team appearance for Leeds, he joined Blackpool on a month-long loan. After four appearances for the club, the loan was extended by a further month. Morris' loan was later extended for a third month. In January 2006, Morris agreed to return to Blackpool on loan for the rest of the season. He scored three goals in 30 appearances at Blackpool across the two loan spells,

On 26 March 2009, Morris joined Carlisle United on loan until the end of the season.

Morris joined Chesterfield on a month-long loan on 26 November 2009. On 23 December 2009 the loan was extended by a further month.

In July 2010, he signed a year-long loan deal to return to the Spireites for the 2010–11 campaign. Morris played 21 games in the 2010–11 season which saw Chesterfield win the Football League Two title.

On 18 July 2011, Morris signed for Torquay United on a two-year deal. He made his debut for the club in the 2–2 draw with Burton Albion on the opening day of the 2011–12 season.

Morris signed for Northampton Town on 26 June 2013. He was amongst seven players released by Northampton at the end of the 2014–15 season.

On 23 July 2015, Morris returned home to Dublin and signed for League of Ireland club St Patrick's Athletic. He made his debut the next day, in a 3–0 win away to Sligo Rovers. Morris scored the winning penalty in a 4–2 penalty shoot-out win against Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers, to put Pats' into the 2015 League of Ireland Cup Final. On 5 March 2016, it was announced Morris had joined NIFL Premiership side Glenavon

However, in May 2016, Morris took a position with League of Ireland side Bohemians as their Youth Development Officer, and on 5 July signed as a player for the club, and was due to join the squad immediately. Morris made his first team debut for the club on 9 July in a mid-season friendly at home to Portsmouth.

Managerial career Having served as Youth Development Officer at Bohemians while playing for the club, he was appointed to his first managerial job at League of Ireland First Division club Shelbourne for the 2019 season. Morris guided Shelbourne to the 2019 League of Ireland First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division in his debut season as manager, though the club were relegated from the Premier Division the following season after losing in the relegation play-off. He again guided Shelbourne to the First Division title and promotion in the 2021 season before leaving the club at the end of that season. He was sacked on 20 April 2022 with the club 5th after 10 matches.

Career statistics Playing

Managerial

Honours As a player Scunthorpe United Football League One play-offs: 2009

Chesterfield Football League Two: 2010–11

St Patrick's Athletic League of Ireland Cup: 2015

Bohemians Leinster Senior Cup: 2015–16

As a manager Shelbourne League of Ireland First Division: 2019, 2021