Willie Hamilton

[Silent Blade]

My dad said Willie Hamilton was one of the most talented player he had seen for the Blades (signed for us in 1956) and Billy Gillespie would come to our training sessions to watch Hamilton. John Harris had grown tired of Hamilton's off-field problems so he sold him to Boro. He later moved to Hibs and played under Jock Stein (who raved about him to Alex Ferguson in a conversation years later). I found this you tube clipping by accident and you could see how good he is with the ball (he is wearing the number 10 shirt)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z0Qa7sjDg

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

Newspaper article about Hamilton

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/european/hamilton_s_forgotten_genius_lit_up_lives_1_690142

 

[broomhillblade]

I think he was bought by Joe Mercer in the hope that he would replace Hagan. I remember him quite well - he was quite skinny as an 18-year-old and Mercer joked that they were feeding him on pies from the shop across the road on Shoreham Street, to build him up. However, he lacked determination, application and dedication according to Denis Clarebrough's 'Who's Who', and the flashes of skill were too few and far between. As Silent says, Harris sold him to Middlesbrough where he scored in his first game, but that was the only bright moment and after 10 games he returned to Scotland. His problems with drink are well chronicled and he tragically died at the age of just 38, in Canada.

However, his career with the Blades was quite promising for a time and he scored 21 goals in 79 Football League appearances.

 

[SwissBlade]

Always nice to read about players like this as the information on players from back in the day is far between

Sounds like a tragic ending and so young. Poor bugger.

Lets hope that he lived a George Best lifestyle if he died so early.

Btw - Did he play for Rangers?

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Btw - Did he play for Rangers?

Or even Hamilton's Academicals?? - Sorry.

 

[Silent Blade]

Or even Hamilton's Academicals?? - Sorry.

Yes he did (not Rangers though). see link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Hamilton_(footballer)

 

[Kentblade]

One of the most promising players at the Lane,I remember him well and saw him play.
Easy to bring this player to mind as he was very gifted and was liked to Jimmy Hagan as we all felt he would be his replacement.
The remainder of his life has been well documented and what a talent he had.
Unfortunately he fell under the drink problem which is so addictive,but which can be curable with the right support.
The three D's are the largest problem many folk have to face now, Drink, drugs and debt.
All extremly difficult to resolve.
Back to Willie Hamilton,who knows how good he could have been if only he had been with the right supportive people who had seen his problem at the early stages.
UTB