Ian William Sharps (born 23 October 1980) is an English former footballer who is the lead academy coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers. During his playing career he was a defender most commonly deployed at centre back.
Career Born in Warrington, Sharps is a tall central defender who signed for Tranmere Rovers after serving as a trainee and soon established himself as a first team regular making almost 200 appearances. Sharps joined Rotherham United on a two-year deal during the summer of 2006. Following the 2007–08 season, he signed a new two-year contract with Rotherham. Sharps played his 100th game for the Millers in their FA Cup tie away at Aldershot Town. Despite going through three points deductions, Ian has remained loyal to The Millers and has established himself as one of Rotherham's most consistent performers. Sharps got voted Rotherham United Player of the Year in 2009, resulting him being re-appointed club captain for the 2009 season. On 14 June 2010, Sharps signed for Shrewsbury Town, and was named as club captain. Over a time period of 2 seasons, he helped guide Shrewsbury to promotion from League Two in the 2011–12 season. However, despite the accolade, he was to move on, and return to his former club.
Sharps re-joined Rotherham United on 22 May 2012, with Sharps opting for the Millers and the lure of the New York Stadium, where he was appointed the captain.
On 18 January 2013, Sharps was loaned out to Burton Albion, before joining them permanently at the end of the season. Although he was a regular player for Burton at first, he fell out of favour after the departure of manager Gary Rowett to Birmingham City, and Sharps joined AFC Telford United on loan in February 2015 for the rest of the season. At the end of the season, it was announced that he would be leaving Burton at the end of his contract, and signing permanently for Telford United on a one-year deal at that point.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTranmere Rovers1998–99First Division10000000101999–00First Division00000000002000–01First Division00000000002001–02Second Division29020101Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy03302002–03Second Division3030010103232003–04Second Division2713020003212004–05League One4611020205112005–06League One391101130442Total17267071701937Rotherham United2006–07League One3821021104232007–08League Two3322010213832008–09League Two4542040515652009–10League Two44030104One appearance in Football League Trophy, three appearances in League Two play-offs0520Total1608808112218811Shrewsbury Town2010–11League Two43100204Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs04912011–12League Two431312000482Total862314040973Rotherham United2012–13League Two231201010271Burton Albion (loan)2012–13League Two160——2Appearance(s) in League Two play-offs0180Burton Albion2013–14League Two39140202One appearance in Football League Trophy, one appearance in League Two play-offs04712014–15League Two190103010240Total741505050891AFC Telford United (loan)2014–15Conference Premier150——00150Chester2015–16National League32010—6Three appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances in Cheshire Senior Cup0390Career total5621826125235264823
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordWalsall (caretaker) 12 March 201816 March 2018Total—
Honours Burton Albion Football League Two: 2014–15
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10 League Two, 2010–11 League Two, 2011–12 League Two
References
External links