Ian Joy was on trial from Tranmere Rovers at the end of the 1999/2000 season.

He played in the Football league youth alliance against Brentford in April 2000.

Ian, was born in San Diego and is the son of former City player, Brian Joy.

As a 15 year-old, he played for the United States U-17 team on a tour of Germany.
Ian went on to play for the USA at U-18, U-20 and U-23 level. He captained the U-18's at the World Youth Games in Moscow in 1998.

He played over 200 games across a number of clubs as a left back including  Tranmere Rovers, Stirling Albion, Montrose, Kidderminster Harriers, Chester City, Hamburger SV, FC St. Pauli, Real Salt Lake, FC Ingolstadt 04 and Portland Timbers.

After retiring from playing in 2011, he joined Fox Sports as a football commentator and host. In 2020 he was working for CBS & the YES TV Channel in New York City.