Willie Hamilton Book - Capital Genius

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Jambo Boy

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I wish to advise all Sheffield United fans that a book has been researched and will be officially published on 15th August 2024 about the career of former Hearts and Hibernian icon the late Willie Hamilton – Capital Genius, who also represented Sheffield United (1956-61), Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Ross County, Ferranti Thistle and Hamilton Accies as well as playing in South Africa and Australia.

Once printing costs and overheads are met from a sufficient volume of initial sales, the remaining profit will be donated to the Hearts Heritage Trust and the Hibernian Community Foundation. These are two very worthwhile Edinburgh Charities connected to the respective clubs.

To ensure a maximum return, We will ask for interested parties to complete an order form and make a direct payment to the bank account set up for this. This will eliminate the ebay/paypal profiteers to ensure the Capital clubs benefit. On the order form, the purchaser can state which organisation they wish the donation to be made to (Hearts Heritage Trust or Hibernian Community Foundation)

The ex-Hearts player Donald Ford and ex-Hibs player Pat Stanton were requested to provide the forewords from the perspective of each Edinburgh club, where Willie arguably played his best football and he is considered an all-time-great by supporters of both capital clubs who had the privilege to see him play.

The 136 page book, measuring 8.25’ x 5.85’ (A5 pages) will be officially published on 15th August 2024 and will contain many previously unseen images from Willie’s youth and other images provided by his younger sister Marion Jones. Several images and information passages have been sourced from her own cuttings archive and more from the Author’s personal collection and some published in newspapers of the time.

Willie Hamilton had a colourful and captivating career and there are quotes from him as well as many from his colleagues, managers, coaches and some great recall from the late Jock Stein who was a huge admirer of Willie’s talents. The book focusses on his health struggles too, but intricately describes his amazing talents and his fantastic goals in a chronical walk through his life and times. It is a must for any true football fan and will paticularly appeal to those aged 65+ who saw Willie Hamilton star in senior football. The perfect gift for Grandad or Great Grandad or anyone who enjoys reading about the history of the Scottish Capital’s clubs – not forgetting the contributions he made to Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

Priced at £9.99 plus either (£3.50 first class or £2.50 second class Postage) (£13.49 or £12.49) for chosen delivery - all profits from the publication will be donated to the Hearts and Hibs organisations noted above, based upon the percentages gleaned from subscriber choices made.

To obtain an order form to subscribe to the book, please email [email protected] which contains details of how to pay in advance and subscribe. If this link doesn't work (aware that some may have problems) - If you copy and paste this email address into the email you are composing, I will send you an order form by return.

We hope we can rely on your support to donate to your preferred capital club and receive this fantastic tribute book in return.

I would also be interested to hear any recollections that any senior Sheffield United fans have in relation to a very special talent.
 

I wish to advise all Sheffield United fans that a book has been researched and will be officially published on 15th August 2024 about the career of former Hearts and Hibernian icon the late Willie Hamilton – Capital Genius, who also represented Sheffield United (1956-61), Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Ross County, Ferranti Thistle and Hamilton Accies as well as playing in South Africa and Australia.

Once printing costs and overheads are met from a sufficient volume of initial sales, the remaining profit will be donated to the Hearts Heritage Trust and the Hibernian Community Foundation. These are two very worthwhile Edinburgh Charities connected to the respective clubs.

To ensure a maximum return, We will ask for interested parties to complete an order form and make a direct payment to the bank account set up for this. This will eliminate the ebay/paypal profiteers to ensure the Capital clubs benefit. On the order form, the purchaser can state which organisation they wish the donation to be made to (Hearts Heritage Trust or Hibernian Community Foundation)

The ex-Hearts player Donald Ford and ex-Hibs player Pat Stanton were requested to provide the forewords from the perspective of each Edinburgh club, where Willie arguably played his best football and he is considered an all-time-great by supporters of both capital clubs who had the privilege to see him play.

The 136 page book, measuring 8.25’ x 5.85’ (A5 pages) will be officially published on 15th August 2024 and will contain many previously unseen images from Willie’s youth and other images provided by his younger sister Marion Jones. Several images and information passages have been sourced from her own cuttings archive and more from the Author’s personal collection and some published in newspapers of the time.

Willie Hamilton had a colourful and captivating career and there are quotes from him as well as many from his colleagues, managers, coaches and some great recall from the late Jock Stein who was a huge admirer of Willie’s talents. The book focusses on his health struggles too, but intricately describes his amazing talents and his fantastic goals in a chronical walk through his life and times. It is a must for any true football fan and will paticularly appeal to those aged 65+ who saw Willie Hamilton star in senior football. The perfect gift for Grandad or Great Grandad or anyone who enjoys reading about the history of the Scottish Capital’s clubs – not forgetting the contributions he made to Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

Priced at £9.99 plus either (£3.50 first class or £2.50 second class Postage) (£13.49 or £12.49) for chosen delivery - all profits from the publication will be donated to the Hearts and Hibs organisations noted above, based upon the percentages gleaned from subscriber choices made.

To obtain an order form to subscribe to the book, please email [email protected] which contains details of how to pay in advance and subscribe. If this link doesn't work (aware that some may have problems) - If you copy and paste this email address into the email you are composing, I will send you an order form by return.

We hope we can rely on your support to donate to your preferred capital club and receive this fantastic tribute book in return.

I would also be interested to hear any recollections that any senior Sheffield United fans have in relation to a very special talent.
My Dad said he was the nearest player we had, for skill, to Jimmy Hagan. As Hagan was above God in his eyes, that's a pretty good compliment. UTB
 
Yes, that is detailed in the book as well. Thanks! 👍
 
During the research, it was said that Willie Hamilton was the player that United fans hoped could replace an ageing Jimmy Hagan. The other thing that struck me was that Derek Pace seemed to be a striker who had a real eye for goal.
 
I well remember seeing Willie play- he was an enigma. Brought in by Joe Mercer . One minute showing fantastic skill, the next giving the ball away. Nevertheless we used to love watching him play, as said above, his skill with the ball at his feet was incredible. We all thought he would take over from Sir James but he failed to convince Mercer? Mercer brought in Russell and Hodgson and Willie left.
 
I remember coming away from a game when I was a kid and my dad who was a Jimmy Hagan fan arguing with a bloke who was moaning about Willi not putting a shift in ( never getting his
shirt muky) with my dad supporting Willi as a player who plays football on his feet not on his arse.
Willi did split the fans in that aspect.
 
I well remember seeing Willie play- he was an enigma. Brought in by Joe Mercer . One minute showing fantastic skill, the next giving the ball away. Nevertheless we used to love watching him play, as said above, his skill with the ball at his feet was incredible. We all thought he would take over from Sir James but he failed to convince Mercer? Mercer brought in Russell and Hodgson and Willie left.
Willie left us in February 1961. Harris was our manager for nearly 2 years at the time.
 
In my lifetime only Hagan , Sabella and possibly Ndiaye were a match for him when it came natural talent and ability with the ball at his feet .

As posted on here some time ago , I once saw him make an incredible run starting in our own half going towards the Bramall Lane end when he used not just his feet but also his knee and shoulder to effectively juggle the ball to the edge of their box .

Other than George Best at very best , I cannot think of another player in English football who would have had the ability to match it .
 
During the research, it was said that Willie Hamilton was the player that United fans hoped could replace an ageing Jimmy Hagan. The other thing that struck me was that Derek Pace seemed to be a striker who had a real eye for goal.
"Doc" Pace scored 16 goals in 8 games , Jan , Feb 1960, so I guess you could say that yes.!!
 
In my lifetime only Hagan , Sabella and possibly Ndiaye were a match for him when it came natural talent and ability with the ball at his feet .

As posted on here some time ago , I once saw him make an incredible run starting in our own half going towards the Bramall Lane end when he used not just his feet but also his knee and shoulder to effectively juggle the ball to the edge of their box .

Other than George Best at very best , I cannot think of another player in English football who would have had the ability to match it .
I just read a bit more about Hamilton , forgot he did play for Scotland once and a lovely story of him nutmegging Jim Baxter in a game. Did not realise he died at 38 in Canada , bricklaying at the time, such a sad waste for a man of supreme talent and from all sides a very genuine bloke.
As pointed out he would in todays game have been set up for life when he retired. Great lad.
Willie next to Mercer in photo circa 1956/57. ( Sorry its upside dowm!
 

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In my lifetime only Hagan , Sabella and possibly Ndiaye were a match for him when it came natural talent and ability with the ball at his feet .

As posted on here some time ago , I once saw him make an incredible run starting in our own half going towards the Bramall Lane end when he used not just his feet but also his knee and shoulder to effectively juggle the ball to the edge of their box .

Other than George Best at very best , I cannot think of another player in English football who would have had the ability to match it .
I would have to add TC to the Blades players you mention, ( I certainly agree with those three ).
 

Sorry #13 should have been in "Old Photos" and my incompetence to cancel left it in here.:mad:
If any one can move it to the rightful forum, or even wants to, please be my guest. Thank You.:)
 

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