Ian Stirling signed for Arbroath as a 17 year-old in July 1960 from Arbroath Lads Club. He became Club Captain at 21 years-old and would go on to make 380 League, League Cup and Scottish Cup appearances, scoring 41 goals before retiring in 1971. Originally playing as a striker, he was converted to centre back and was part of the 1967/68 promotion winning side. He retired from the game aged only 28 to concentrate on the family business and eventually served as Chairman from 1979 to 1987.
