Background
Stonebridge was born in Lewisham, London and began his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur.
Stonebridge was born in Lewisham, London and began his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur.
He played in the Football League for, Wycombe Wanderers and Torquay United. He represented England at Under–18 level He failed to make the grade at White Hart Lane and moved to on a free transfer in July 1999.
His league debut came on 7 August 1999 in a 2-1 defeat away to Southend United.
In the 2001-2002 season he helped Plymouth to the Division Three title and with it promotion to Division Two. After a season of consolidation, Stonebridge then helped Argyle to the Division Two title in 2004, but left at the end of the season to join Wycombe Wanderers after learning that he would not be a regular in the higher division.
He returned early from his loan spell due to injury. When he returned to fitness, he scored twice in two games and put in some good performances.
Due to a persistent joint injury named reactive arthropathy, Stonebridge announced his premature retirement from professional football in March 2007 at the age of just 25.
He made a brief comeback for Cornish Southern League club Truro City in the 2008-2009 season, but it now seems like his playing days are over. Having joined in the summer of 1999, Stonebridge made his debut for England Under–18"s against Switzerland, less than a month after making his first-team debut. He went on to be capped three more times during the qualifying rounds of the Under–18 European Championships, scoring two goals.
Since retiring from playing, Ian has gained a degree in Applied Sport Science and at University of Street Mark & Street John and an Master of Science in Sport at Loughborough University.
Throughout his studies he has been an Academy coach at, including time as Youth Development Phase Lead Coach 12-16 between 2012-2014. Now working as a lecturer in Sports and Physical Education at University of Street Mark & Street John, Ian has just started a Doctor of Philosophy at Loughborough University.