Willie Irvine (footballer, born 1956)
Willie Irvine (born 26 May 1956) is a Scottish former professional footballer. Irvine, a direct, left-sided forward, started his senior career with Celtic, but failed to break into the first team.[1] After playing in junior football for a spell, he signed for Alloa Athletic.[1] His play for Alloa quickly attracted the attention of Motherwell, who paid £25,000 to Alloa for his services in 1979.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Irvine | ||
| Date of birth | 26 May 1956 | ||
| Place of birth | Whitburn, Scotland | ||
| Playing position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1972–1975 | Celtic | ||
| 1975–1977 | Fauldhouse United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1977–1979 | Alloa Athletic | 54 | (17) |
| 1979–1982 | Motherwell | 121 | (49) |
| 1982–1986 | Hibernian | 88 | (25) |
| 1986 | → Falkirk (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 1986–1987 | Ayr United | 20 | (6) |
| Total | 291 | (97) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Irvine had a successful spell with Motherwell, as he was their top scorer with 21 goals during their promotion season of 1981–82.[1] Like his manager Davie Hay, Irvine left Motherwell soon after that success, choosing to join Hibs.[1] Irvine was also initially successful with the Edinburgh club, forming a strike partnership with Bobby Thomson that led to him being the second top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier Division in 1983–84.[1] After this, however, Irvine enjoyed less success, and he was loaned out to Falkirk before joining Ayr United.[1]
References
- Jeffrey, pp77.
- Willie Irvine at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
- Jeffrey, Jim (2005). The Men Who Made Hibernian F.C. since 1946. Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3091-2.