Willie McCall (footballer, born 1898)

William McCall (5 May 1898 – 1966) was a professional association footballer who played as a forward for Dumfries-based club Queen of the South in Scotland, and Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton in England in the 1920s.

William McCall
Personal information
Full name Willie McCall
Date of birth (1898-05-05)5 May 1898
Place of birth Maxwelltown, Scotland
Date of death 1966 (aged 68)
Place of death Dumfries, Scotland
Playing position(s) Outside forward
Youth career
1918–1919 Maxwelltown Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1919–1920 Queen of the South 34 (14)
1920–1922 Blackburn Rovers 11 (0)
1922–1923 Wolverhampton Wanderers 15 (1)
1923 Southampton 8 (2)
1925–19?? Queen of the South
Carlisle United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

McCall was born in Maxwelltown,[1] then a separate burgh from Dumfries across the River Nith. While a pupil at Glasgow Street School, he was the captain of the Scottish Schoolboys' team.

He served in the Great War with the 5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, and after the war returned to football, and the Maxwelltown Juniors (known locally as the "Fish Suppers"). Joining Queen of the South in 1919, the year of their formation, he played for Queen's as a forward during his stay at Palmerston. McCall made 24 appearances in season 1919–20 scoring 11 goals and ten appearances in season 1920–21 scoring three goals.

McCall was a goalscorer along with left winger, Dave Halliday, for then non-league Queen of the South as they won the Dumfries Charity Cup Final in 1920 defeating Dalbeattie Star. This was the first ever trophy win for fledgling Queens.[2]

McCall moved from Queen of the South to Blackburn Rovers in December 1920. McCall was one of the three players to make such a move in a short time frame along with Jimmy McKinnell and Tom Wylie. This along with the transfer of Ian Dickson to Aston Villa helped fund Queens' purchase of Palmerston Park.[3]

McCall made only 11 league appearances for Blackburn before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 1922.[4][5]

After six months at Molineux, McCall moved to the south coast to join Southampton in January 1923 in an exchange deal with George Getgood joining Wolves. McCall had a reputation for being quick and scored on his debut at The Dell against Coventry City on 10 February.[1] Although McCall scored again in March,[6] he lost his place to Len Andrews and soon became disillusioned. He left the club in May 1923 and was transfer listed at £500. It was not until September 1925 that he eventually found a new club, back with Queen of the South, at a reduced fee of £250.[1]

McCall finished his professional playing career with Carlisle United.[4]

Later career

He became trainer for a local team in Dumfries, Troqueer Juniors. McCall worked with the Caledonian bus company at their Eastfield Road premises in Dumfries.

Aged 68 he died in Dumfries Infirmary. He was survived by his wife, son and married daughter. His son flew into Prestwick Airport for the funeral from Canada where he had been living for 11 years.

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References
  1. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. p. 215. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  2. "Early years and Queen of the South". Queens Legends: Dave Halliday. Queen of the South FC. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  3. "Details of Queen of the South's purchase of Palmerston Park". Queens Legends: Ian Dickson. Queen of the South FC. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  4. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 164. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  5. "Blackburn Rovers". Queens Legends: Jackie Oakes. Queen of the South FC. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  6. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. p. 69. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
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