Before playing for North Melbourne, Fairley played for Williamstown in the Victorian Football Association. In 1980, he notably kicked eight goals against Box Hill in his senior VFA debut, at the age of only 15 years 9 months; despite the performance, he was dropped from the senior team the following week, to ensure he remained eligibile to play finals for the Thirds.

Ian Fairley (born 18 September 1964) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne during the 1980s and 1990s. A utility player, he was the club’s leading goalkicker in 1989 and retired after winning the 1996 Grand Final with North Melbourne in which he kicked the final goal of the game.