Willie Hamilton (footballer, born 1938)

William Murdoch Hamilton (16 February 1938 – 22 October 1976) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian and Aston Villa, and gained one cap for Scotland.[2] He became known for his off field lifestyle which overshadowed his playing ability.[3] His one-time manager Jock Stein later described him as comparable to Kenny Dalglish in footballing talent.[4]

Willie Hamilton
Personal information
Full name William Murdoch Hamilton[1]
Date of birth (1938-02-16)16 February 1938
Place of birth Chapelhall, Scotland
Date of death 22 October 1976(1976-10-22) (aged 38)
Place of death Calgary, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1954–1956 Drumpelier Amateurs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1956–1961 Sheffield United 79 (21)
1961–1962 Middlesbrough 10 (1)
1962–1963 Heart of Midlothian 30 (12)
1963–1965 Hibernian 50 (15)
1965–1967 Aston Villa 49 (9)
1967–1969 Heart of Midlothian 22 (7)
1969 Durban United
1969–1971 Ross County 0 (0)
1971–1972 Hamilton Academical 13 (0)
Total 253 (65)
National team
1962–1965 Scottish League XI 2 (0)
1965 Scotland 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Following spells in English football with Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, Hamilton joined Hearts in June 1962 and was then signed for Hibernian by Jock Stein. Despite having handed in a transfer request shortly before Stein's arrival, Stein was able to get some astonishing performances out of Hamilton during his time at Easter Road. Stein would sometimes put up Hamilton in his own house on the eve of a big match to make sure he did not go out drinking.[5] Hibernian's results had dramatically picked up during Stein's reign, partly attributable to the performances of Hamilton. However, Stein left Hibernian after less than a year to become manager of Celtic.[6]

He emigrated to Canada in 1975 where he worked as a bricklayer. He died of a heart attack in 1976.[7]

References
  1. Willie Hamilton, London Hearts.
  2. , The Sunday Times, August 2005.
  3. League Cup: No idol talk from Norrie Davidson, Southern Reporter, 17 March 2013
  4. MacPherson p.101-102
  5. MacPherson p.102
  6. MacPherson p.101-112
  7. "Hamilton's forgotten genius lit up lives". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 28 January 2006. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
Sources
  • MacPherson, Archie. Jock Stein: The Definitive Biography. Highdown, 2005.
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