Making around 150 league appearances for Bristol Rovers, Ian Hamilton made a handful of appearances when on loan at Exeter City in 1967. He also played for Newport County. 

Ian joined Bristol Rovers from Thornbury Town in January 1958 and soon won a first-team place as he went on to score 61 goals in 149 league outings during a stay that was often hampered by knee injuries.

During his final season with the Pirates, Ian spent a month on loan with Exeter City and immediately made his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Southend United on 14 October 1967 when he only met up with the rest of the team immediately before the game. Thereafter he appeared against Luton Town, Workington and Doncaster Rovers before returning to Eastville.

Ian subsequently joined Newport County in July 1968 and stayed at Somerton Park for two seasons before working as an airframe fitter for Rolls Royce in Bristol until his retirement in 1994.

Ian died in a Bristol nursing home in April 2021.