Ian Main played for Exeter City between 1978 and 1982. Studying at Exeter University, he had previously appeared for Gloucester City. Always in competition for the goalkeepers' jersey during his time with the club, his contribution to the 1981 FA Cup run came when he was called in to face Leicester City in the replay at St James' Park. Later joining the police, he died at the age of thirty-eight in 1998.

Staying on at school he played for England schools at under-18 level before arriving in Exeter to study mathematics at the Exeter University. Having played for Gloucester City he caught the eye of Exeter City and signed Football League forms in 1978.

Drafted in to replace the injured Vince O’Keefe, he made his debut against Rotherham United in March 1979 as he went on to play in the final thirteen games of the season. 

Ian then experienced three seasons of direct competition for the goalkeeping spot initially with O’Keefe, and later with Len Bond,  as he made 26, 24 and 15 league appearances over the next three seasons. Certainly Len Bond was the man in possession throughout the 1981 FA Cup run when Ian had to content himself with a solitary appearance in the replay win over Leicester City. 

Achieving a good degree from his studies, Ian left the club in 1982 and joined the police before his untimely death in Exeter in 1998.