A city boy who honed his chops playing with the Vic High Tyees, Brian Robinson was destined for greater things in soccer. A Vic West club player who toiled in the summer Pacific Coast League for Victoria United, later the Victoria O'Keefes, Robinson got his first taste of international soccer at age 16 in 1969 when the O'Keefes hosted West Bromwich Albion from England's first division. He graduated through the ranks, from the Victoria Royals semi-pro side to the B.C. Selects and finally hooked up with the Canadian national team. The speedy midfielder earned his first cap in 1972 in an Olympic qualifying match against Mexico and would be capped 40 times. After helping Victoria's London Boxing Club win a Canadian title in 1974, he played a pro season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. But injuries cut his season short and he came home to coach the Victoria Athletics. He wasn't done playing, however, and in 1978 rejoined the national team as they competed in the World Cup qualifier. He was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.

Although naturally gifted in hockey, basketball and track it was the sport of soccer that provided Ian with the opportunity to take his love of sports to the highest level. As a youth player he was often Lakehill's top offensive weapon, but in the end he earned his reputation as a brilliant defender who could jump into the attack in the blink of an eye. Between 1976 and 1979 Ian played 16 international junior matches with Canada's team, won a Canada Games gold medal with the BC side then trained in Britain with West Ham and played for Maidstone United. After spending the 1979 season with Seattle as an amateur, he turned pro in 1980. That season saw the Sounders capture the NASL Trans Atlantic cup, thanks in large part to Ian's stifling defensive play. Internationally Ian was selected to the 1984 Canadian Olympic team that reached the quarterfinals and also had three cracks at the World Cup. He scored twice as a key player in Canada's unbelievable run to the 1986 World finals and finished as team captain at their 1990 Nations Cup victory. In all, Ian Bridge played over 100 matches for Canada, 33 of which were full internationals. He wound up his playing career with five seasons in the Swiss pro league and summers in the CSL for his hometown Vistas.