Just don’t mention missing dig money to Wee Willie
ABERDEEN host Rangers next Sunday, hoping to record their first victory over the Light Blues since 2009.
A good start in front of a packed Pittodrie would be ideal for the Dons.
They’ve never started as well against Rangers as they did in a match at Ibrox in 1961.
Willie Callaghan had only been with Aberdeen for three months and looked certain to become a real favourite at the club.
There might have been many memorable victories like the 4-2 success over Rangers if there hadn’t been a dispute over the £4.50 for his accommodation!
He recalled: “The first time I played against Rangers, we took the lead after 20 seconds.
“The ball was fired forward and there was a mix-up between goalkeeper Billy Ritchie and centre-half Doug Baillie.
“It led to the ball falling at the feet of Ken Brownlee for an easy opening goal.
“I later beat three men to set up George Mulhall to put us 2-1 ahead.
“The crowd were giving me pelters because they knew I was a dyed-in-the-wool Celtic supporter.
“Everything went right for me that afternoon – except getting a goal.”
Willie had been a surprise signing for Aberdeen when he arrived from East Stirlingshire. He was, however, a forward of undoubted talent.
There were twice-weekly training sessions at Celtic when he was only 14 and a move to Arsenal at 16. And it looked like his career was finally heading in the right direction when the Dons swooped.
He said: “I’d gone part-time with East Stirling and the wages offered – £14 in the first team and £12 in the reserves – didn’t really make up my combined income.
“The deal looked like it might be off, but they upped the wages to £18 and £16. I was told not to tell anyone else about that.
“Everything was fine until my landlady said the club hadn’t paid my rent. I had assumed they would be covering my £4.50 dig money.
“That led to a bit of a dispute but things went well on the pitch.
“I scored a perfect hat-trick against Airdrie on my 20th birthday and a 25-yarder against Hibs at Easter Road.
“I played most of the games that season but the wrangling over money re-surfaced in the summer.
“Several of the players said they weren’t going to re-sign until we got better terms but I ended up as the last man standing.
“Eventually I had to re-sign because the club would have retained my registration and left me unable to play.”
Willie was soon on the move and spent a few months with Toronto City before joining Dumbarton. There was then a season in England with Barnsley.
He said: “Looking back, I was probably too quick to give my opinion at clubs. I didn’t like being told what to do and, once I crossed the white line, I played my way.”
He was always described as Wee Willie Callaghan.
“They said I was 5ft 2in to make it a better story but I’m saying I was 5ft 4in,” said Willie. “After a recent hip operation, I’m now up to 5ft 5in!
“My size never bothered me. I felt as tall as anyone else when I was on the park and I was pretty quick in my day.”
Willie played for Albion Rovers, Stranraer and St Rochs Juniors.
Now 74, he’s retired after spending many years in the oil industry.