Ian Westwater

Born: 08/11/63 Loughborough.

Westie was signed in March 1985 for a mere £4,000 from Hearts by Jim Leishman having been a former Scottish Youth International.  He went straight into the first team to record a shut out in his debut against Stranraer.  Soon cementing his place as number one, Westie made the move through the leagues with ease and performed heroics the clubs inaugural Premier League campaign.

Winner of Second and First Division medals he moved on to Falkirk in 1991 before returning to Dunfermline three years later.  A record 361 appearances as goalkeeper with 115 shutouts during his two spells with Dunfermline.

Ian started his football career in July 1975 when he joined Salveson Boys Club and between 1976 and 1980 that Boys Club won the Edinburgh Juvenile League, the East of Scotland Cup and the Scottish Cup for five successive seasons.

In April 1979 he won his first international honour when he represented Scottish Schools Under 15s. The next year he played for Scotland v England in an U18 schools international.  Westie joined Hearts in June 1980 and on 1st November 1980 became the Premier League`s youngest ever goalkeeper when he started the match against St Mirren.

In April 1981 he was a member of the Scotland squad that won the UEFA Youth Championships in Helsinki, the following year he was a member of the same squad that reached the Quarter finals of the FIFA World Youth Championships in Mexico.

A year after joining the Pars Westie`s 20th shut out of the season was enough to help them win the Second Division Championship.  Next season 1986-87 he won promotion taking Dunfermline into the Premier League.  In June 1991 Ian moved to Falkirk in search of first team football after Pars Manager Iain Munro dropped him in favour of Andy Rhodes.

Bert Paton brought Westie back to Dunfermline in April 1994 and put him straight into the first team.  One of his greatest triumphs - a shutout against Dundee United followed by a win over Airdrie saw the Pars crowned First Division champions.

Westie`s final match of 361 appearances for Dunfermline was in May 2000 against Morton. Having declined the opportunity to remain in a coaching capacity at East End Park deciding instead to take on Player/coach role at Hibs.  He was forced to quit the game completey in September 2005 due to the recurring effects of his long term knee injury.

Position - Goalkeeper
Date of Birth - 8 November 1963
Previous Club - Heart of Midlothian
First Game - 3 April 1985 v Stranraer (Second Division)
Last Game - 6 May 2000 v Morton (First Division)
Transferred To Falkirk (1st spell), Hibernian (2nd spell)

Total Pars Apps - 361 (359 + 2 sub)
Total Pars Shut Outs 115 (22 SD, 55 FD, 22 PD, 8 LC, 8SC)