Willie Irvine (footballer, born 1956)

Willie Irvine (born 26 May 1956) is a Scottish former professional footballer. Irvine, a direct, left-sided forward, started his senior career with Celtic, but failed to break into the first team.[1] After playing in junior football for a spell, he signed for Alloa Athletic.[1] His play for Alloa quickly attracted the attention of Motherwell, who paid £25,000 to Alloa for his services in 1979.[1]

Willie Irvine
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-05-26) 26 May 1956 (age 68)
Place of birth Whitburn, Scotland
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1972–1975 Celtic
1975–1977 Fauldhouse United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1979 Alloa Athletic 54 (17)
1979–1982 Motherwell 121 (49)
1982–1986 Hibernian 88 (25)
1986Falkirk (loan) 8 (0)
1986–1987 Ayr United 20 (6)
Total 291 (97)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Irvine had a successful spell with Motherwell, as he was their top scorer with 21 goals during their promotion season of 1981–82.[1] Like his manager Davie Hay, Irvine left Motherwell soon after that success, choosing to join Hibs.[1] Irvine was also initially successful with the Edinburgh club, forming a strike partnership with Bobby Thomson that led to him being the second top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier Division in 1983–84.[1] After this, however, Irvine enjoyed less success, and he was loaned out to Falkirk before joining Ayr United.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jeffrey, pp77.
  • Willie Irvine at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  • Jeffrey, Jim (2005). The Men Who Made Hibernian F.C. since 1946. Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3091-2.