Ex-borostar Whighama ‘truelegend’

Tributes have been paid to former Falkirk and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Willie Whigham, who passed away aged 81.

Whigham, who was born and raised in Airdrie but never played for his home town team, made one appearance for Albion Rovers in his career.

He was a hero both at Brockville and on Teeside during a lengthy career in the 1960 and 70s.

Whigham was also a target for Celtic and Rangers while he was at Falkirk, but the club wouldn’t sell him to another Scottish club, and he instead moved to Middlesbrough in 1966 for £10,000, as goalkeeper Eddie Connachan went in the opposite direction.

A mechanic to trade, Whigham arrived at Falkirk in 1960 from Shotts Bon Accord, and that was his second attempt to break into senior football.

In total, the former Chapelside Primary and Airdrie Academy pupil made 251 appearances for Falkirk and 210 at Middlesbrough, with short spells at Dumbarton and Darlington.

Willie passed away at Monklands Hospital last Wednesday, following a bout of pneumonia.

Brother-in-law Alan Barrie described Whigham as a character and a legend, who will be sadly missed.

Alan said:“they’ve got him down as a legend, which he was. I went down to Middlesbrough with him for a do and we got to the hotel, got on the wrong tube and we were late.

“Only one person was still there, Steve Mclaren, who was then-england manager, who stayed for about 10 minutes to get a catch-up with Willie.

“The place was mobbed and they asked Willie to do the raffle. There was a wee boy standing at the front who had a heart condition, born with a hole in his heart, he was about 10 years old, and he shouted‘mr Whigham, white No.1’.

“After a while Willie shouted out ‘white No.1’and the roar that went up was unbelievable.

“The wee boy couldn’t believe it. He got a football, signed by the players, his photo and signature from Willie, he got a strip, and hundreds of stuff from Middlesbrough, through Willie - and that ticket never actually came up. That’s the kind of person he was.”

Willie leaves behind sister Jean Burrie, ex-wife Joyce Campbell and sons Stephen and Stuart.

Alan added:“willie was that laid back he was horizontal; the roof could fall in on Willie and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

“Nothing fazed him. He had a dry sense of humour and was a character.

“They think he’s a God and a saint in Falkirk and Middlesbrough. I’ve been amongst them in both places, but he never knew how popular he was.”

Airdrieonians will not appoint a replacement for former director of football Stuart Millar.

Millar quit the club last month, ending a 40year association with the Diamonds, and they have this week told the Advertiser they are not seeking a new candidate to take on the role he had held since March 2019.

A spokesman for Airdrie said: “We won’t be replacing the Director of Football position.

“The club’s main focus is to maximise the remaining fixtures and end the season as high as possible.”

Safe hands Goalkeeper Whigham