In September 1987, Colin Harvey paid Leicester City £300,000 to make Ian Wilson his first senior signing since his appointment as Everton manager. The left sided midfielder was a current Scotland international and was intended as cover for Kevin Sheedy, who was the victim of persistent injuries.
A competent yet unspectacular player, he slotted into a great Everton team without ever looking as if he might distinguish himself. ‘Although he was neat and tidy, it was felt that he couldn’t hold a candle to Sheeds,’ recalled Graeme Sharp. ‘I thought we could perhaps have set our standards higher and that Everton players should have been more than “neat and tidy”.’
In fairness to the prematurely balding Aberdonian, Wilson, in common with many Everton signings during this period, faced a thankless task in having to deputise for a member of its most illustrious team. He made 36 appearances over two seasons, without ever looking like making a regular first team berth his own. In summer 1989, aged 31, he joined Besiktas, later returning to England to play out his career in the lower leagues.
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