Playing Career
Ian Atkins began his career as an apprentice with Shrewsbury Town, when he left school in 1973. He turned professional in January 1975. In seven years at the club, he made 279 appearances and scored 58 times, helping them win the Third Division championship in 1979. He helped them avoid relegation in the next three seasons before his transfer to Sunderland for a fee of £80,000 before the start of the 1982-83. Shrewsbury, against all odds, retained their Second Division status for seven seasons after Atkins left.
Atkins stayed at Roker Park for two two years, before he moved to Everton in October 1984 for a fee of £70,000. His stay with Everton lasted just one year, and he played only a minimal part in the league title and European Cup Winners' Cup triumphs.
In September 1985 he was sold to Ipswich Town for £100,000. In the three years he was at Town he played 77 matches and scored four goals, but was unable to prevent relegation to the Second Division and by the time he signed for Birmingham City in March 1988 (in a £50,000 deal) Ipswich had still not reclaimed their First Division place.
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