Willie Johnston

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For others of the same name, see Willie Johnston (Medal of Honor) and Blind Willie Johnson.

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Willie Johnston
Willie Johnston (1969).jpg
Personal information
Full name William McClure Johnston
Date of birth (1946-12-19) 19 December 1946 (age 78)
Place of birth Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland
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Position(s) Outside left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1972 Rangers 211 (89)
1972 Hakoah Sydney ? (?)
1972–1979 West Bromwich Albion 207 (18)
1979–1980 Vancouver Whitecaps 41 (3)
1979–1980 → Birmingham City (loan) 15 (0)
1980 Rangers 35 (2)
1982 Vancouver Whitecaps 18 (0)
1982–1984 Heart of Midlothian 55 (9)
1983 → South China AA (loan)
1984–1985 East Fife 3 (0)
International career
1965–1978 Scotland 21 (0)
1969–1970 Scottish League XI[2] 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William McClure "Willie" Johnston (born 19 December 1946) is a Scottish former professional football player, best remembered for his time at Rangers and West Brom.

Career

He scored twice in the final as Rangers won the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1972 by defeating Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in Barcelona. In December 1972 he moved to England to join West Bromwich Albion, making his debut against Liverpool in the same month.[3] Albion paid a club record £138,000 to bring him to The Hawthorns.[4]

However, his career included some controversial incidents. After Scotland's opening game of the 1978 World Cup, against Peru, Johnston tested positive for a banned stimulant contained in Reactivan, a medication prescribed for his hay-fever. His subsequent expulsion from the squad ended his international career after 21 appearances, although he maintained his innocence.[5][6]

While playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, he once mooned the Seattle Sounders bench following a goal,[7] and on another occasion took a swig from a fan-offered beer before taking a corner kick in San Jose, setting up a goal from the set-piece.[8] Johnston was a key member of the 1979 NASL champion Vancouver Whitecaps, helping them defeat the New York Cosmos in the semi-final, and then the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 in Soccer Bowl '79.

Aberdeen player John McMaster had to be given the kiss of life during a game against Rangers at Ibrox in 1980 after Johnston stamped on his throat. Johnston later 'justified' his action by saying he thought it was Willie Miller.[9][10]

In 2004 Johnston was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.[11]

Personal life

Johnston was brought up in Cardenden, working as a miner after leaving school.[12][13]

He now lives in Kirkcaldy. The Port Brae Bar pub there was run by his son Dean until a dispute with the Belhaven Brewery led to the pub being boarded up, locking Johnston's collection of memorabilia inside.[14]

See also

References

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External links

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