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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ian Breckin[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1975-07-24)24 July 1975 (age 49) | ||
| Place of birth | Rotherham, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1993–1997 | Rotherham United | 132 | (6) |
| 1997–2002 | Chesterfield | 212 | (8) |
| 2002–2005 | Wigan Athletic | 96 | (0) |
| 2005–2009 | Nottingham Forest | 143 | (12) |
| 2009–2011 | Chesterfield | 64 | (0) |
| Total | 647 | (26) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ian Breckin (born 24 July 1975) is an English former professionalfootballer. He is now head coach at Wickersley Wanderers.[2]
Born inRotherham, Breckin started his career with his hometown clubRotherham United as a trainee, before signing pro in1993. He made over 130 appearances for them and scored six goals. He was then sold toChesterfield for £100,000 in1997. He spent five years at Saltergate, making over 200 appearances.
He moved toWigan Athletic in2002 and became a key player in the side that won promotion to thePremier League. During his time at the club he became a fans favourite for his passionate performances and outstanding defending, earning him the nickname "Breckinbauer" (a reference to German footballerFranz Beckenbauer).[3]
He never got the chance to play in the Premier League and instead signed forLeague One sideNottingham Forest, in a £350,000 deal, with his teammateNicky Eaden joining him on a free transfer. He never scored in a Wigan shirt but he was the top scorer for Nottingham Forest as he reached the target he set with 10 goals.
Shortly after he arrived at theCity Ground he was made team captain, afterGareth Taylor put in a string of poor performances and was dropped from the first team. He made more appearances for Forest than any other player in the2005–06 season. Breckin has been solid at the centre of defence while pairing up withWes Morgan and was the most consistent performer for Forest in the 2005–06 season, scoring a total of ten goals. At the end of April 2006, he was crowned Nottingham Forest's Player of the Year, receiving 42% of the votes from Forest fans. He also won theFootball League One Player of the Month for April.
Breckin missed the start of the2007–08 campaign with an injury after two years playing in every Forest league game. But he recovered and was recalled to the first-team following the injury of Wes Morgan and helped Forest into second spot at Christmas and scored his first goal of the season in Forest's 4–1 home win againstSouthend United. Breckin made his 100th Forest league appearance in their 2–0 victory againstCrewe Alexandra, but was then dropped to the bench in favour of Wes Morgan, only making a handful of starts and coming off the bench often towards the end of the season. He did however help Forest keep a league record of 24 clean sheets in the2007–08 season, helping them secure promotion to theChampionship.
Breckin's contract with Nottingham Forest was due to end in the summer of 2009, but in December 2008 he was transfer-listed by the club. After managerColin Calderwood was sacked however, Breckin put in impressive performances underJohn Pemberton andBilly Davies, and after the 2–0 home win toPlymouth Argyle he was removed from the transfer list. However, Billy Davies stated on the club's official website that Breckin would play his last game for Nottingham Forest in the club's end of season finale againstSouthampton, as he would not be renewing Breckin's contract.
Breckin was given a standing ovation following theSouthampton game, whichNottingham Forest, won 3–1.
Breckin rejoinedChesterfield on 25 June 2009 and was appointed club captain. Breckin was released from Chesterfield at the end of the 2010–11 season, and on retirement joined Wickersley Wanderers, a Rotherham-based children's football club, as head coach.[4]
Breckin's son, Kian, is also a professional footballer and has progressed throughManchester City'sacademy, having first joined the club in 2015.[5][6] On 11 July 2023, Kian joinedLeague One clubWycombe Wanderers on loan.[7] Ian also has a daughter, Ava, who is travelling around the globe in a different sport, cheerleading.
Rotherham United
Wigan Athletic
Nottingham Forest
Chesterfield
Individual
