Andy Weir (footballer)

Andrew Best Weir (15 November 1937 – 1992) was a Scottish footballer who played as a winger for Motherwell[9] and the Scotland national team. He earned a total of six caps for Scotland and scored his only goal on his debut, a 3–2 win against West Germany in 1959.[6] His final international appearance was against Turkey in 1960.[6]

Andy Weir
Personal information
Full name Andrew Best Weir[1][2]
Date of birth 15 November 1937[3]
Place of birth Paisley, Scotland
Date of death 1992 (aged 54–55)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Arthurlie[4][5]
1957–1968[4] Motherwell 202 (44)
International career
1959–1960[6] Scotland 6 (1)
1959–1960[7] Scotland U23 3 (0)
1960 Scottish Football League XI[1] 1 (0)
1962[8] SFA trial v SFL 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Weir developed meningitis in 1961 which led to him being in a coma for five days in Ruchill Hospital, it was said that "only his high level of physical fitness helped him shake off the illness and survive". A back injury shortly afterwards led to the end of his career. Despite 10 years at Motherwell which saw him score 57 major competition goals in 272 games, Weir was not given a benefit match; however fans of the club held a dance in his name and presented him with a "thank you" cheque worth, in his words "a lot of money".[2]

Weir had nine children with his wife Margaret, and continued to stay in Ferguslie Park in Paisley before moving to Elderslie in the 1970s where he died on 11 May 1992, having been in poor health for some years.[10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "[SFL player] Andy Weir". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b Andy Weir, MotherWELLnet
  3. ^ Andy Weir at National-Football-Teams.com
  4. ^ a b "Andy Weir". neilbrown.newcastlefans.com. Neil Brown. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  5. ^ Junior International records, ScottishLeague.net, 21 January 2019
  6. ^ a b c Andy Weir at the Scottish Football Association
  7. ^ Scotland U23 player Weir, Andy, FitbaStats
  8. ^ Ronnie McDevitt (2016). Scotland in the 60s: The Definitive Account of the Scottish National Football Side During the 1960s. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781785312458.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Ancell's Babes: Steelmen, Sinners and the Saint, The Football Pink, 12 February 2019
  10. ^ Team spirit helps ex-footballer, Glasgow Herald, 30 December 1991