New Zealand Football is sad to hear former international Ian Ormond has passed away after a short illness and wishes to pass on their condolences to his friends and family. 

The following obituary on Ian's footballing life was written by Neale Turley, life member of Blockhouse Bay Soccer club, with statistical information provided by Barry Smith.


J.L.(IAN) ORMOND 1949-2021

The Blockhouse Bay /Bay Olympic Soccer Club has lost one of its greatest and most famous players. Ian Ormond passed away, at the age of 72, on October 8th after a short illness.

Ian, born in Scotland, immigrated in 1961 with his family, so his father, Bert, could take up a playing contract with Eastern Union (Gisborne City). The family relocated to Auckland in 1964, so Bert could take up player/coaching position with Blockhouse Bay.

Ian made his senior debut as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 1965. He went on to play 203 league and cup games, scoring 108 goals between 1965 and 1976.

Ian was integral member of the Blockhouse Bay team that won the National League and Chatham Cup double in 1970.

1972 was arguably Ian's greatest season. He scored a NZ record 22 league goals in an 18-game season. This was only broken when the League was increased to a 26-game season. Ian was awarded the NZ Footballer of Year.

Ian played 16 games for Auckland from 1965 to 1979, scoring 11times. He played against many touring teams including Wales, Middlesbrough, Glasgow Rangers, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Dundee.

He made his debut for Auckland as a 16-year-old and had the distinction of twice playing in the same Auckland team as his father, Bert. This achievement has surely never happened before or since, anywhere. 

In 1968 Ian was one of the first young New Zealanders to try his luck as a professional in English football. He signed for Barnsley (4th Division) making one first team appearance, scoring 1 goal. He returned to NZ in 1969.

He played 23 games for NZ, between 1972 and 1978, scoring 9 goals. On debut, versus New Caledonia, he scored a hat trick. He toured Australia, Southeast Asia, and China with the All Whites. His father, Bert, brother, Duncan, and niece, Vicky were also NZ representatives. 

Ian also played for Stop Out (28 games, 2 goals) and North Shore (35 games,19 goals). His last competitive game was the 1979 Chatham Cup final, where he won his second winners medal. He also won a runner up medal with Blockhouse Bay in 1975.

Ian was a naturally gifted player, possessing mercurial skills, a great first touch and fantastic close control. He had incredible balance and when heading, seemed to hang the air for ever. His pace over 5 to 10 metres was electrifying.

Ian was made a Life Member of the Blockhouse Bay Soccer Club, in recognition of his achievements. The Soccer Media Association awarded Ian the distinction of being named in the best NZ XI, selected from players between 1970 to 1995.

When there is talk of NZ greatest players, Ian's name is always in the mix.

Out of football, he was a successful and respected businessman in the textile and clothing industry. 

He spent time coaching at St. Kentigern Collage and in the early 1990s, he completed a report for NZ football on the state of the game in NZ, recommending many structural changes.

Ian was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

Article added: Monday 11 October 2021