Willie Hamilton (footballer, born 1889)

William Hamilton (1889 – 14 August 1921) was a Scottish footballer who played as a centre half, primarily for Partick Thistle.[2]

For other people with the same name, see William Hamilton.
Willie Hamilton
Personal information
Full name William Hamilton
Date of birth 1889
Place of birth Scoonie, Scotland
Date of death 14 August 1921 (aged 31–32)
Place of death Kingseat, Scotland
Playing position(s) Centre half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
– Cowdenbeath Vulcan Rovers[1]
1909–1911 Dunfermline Athletic
1911–1921 Partick Thistle 245 (12)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Initially signed from Dunfermline Athletic (still to become members of the Scottish Football League at that point)[1] as a left half before moving to the central 'pivot' role when Alex Raisbeck retired in 1913, Hamilton amassed 294 appearances for the Jags in all competitions and scored 15 goals across nine seasons.[3] He finished on the losing side in five minor cup finals, three in the Glasgow Cup – 1911, 1917, 1919 – and two in the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup – 1916 and 1918 – but seemed set to play in the biggest match in Partick's history, the final of the Scottish Cup in 1921; however, having played in all earlier rounds, he missed out on what would have been a career highlight due to an ankle injury.[1] Despite his absence (and that of Jimmy McMullan), highlighted in the press pre-match as a blow to Thistle's chances, the team defeated Rangers 1–0 to claim the trophy for the only time.[4]

Within a few months of that cup win Hamilton had contracted tuberculosis, his health declined rapidly and he returned to his home region of Fife where he died in August 1921, aged 31.[1]

References
  1. Death of Well-known Local Footballer, The Dunfermline Press, 20 August 1921, via Partick Thistle History Archive (archived version, 2015)
  2. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Players H, Partick Thistle History Archive
  4. Scottish Cup Final | Partick Thistle's First Victory, The Glasgow Herald, 18 April 1921
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