Unlike Hart, Bill found that Trautmann was staying put
JOE HART will become the first English goalkeeper to play in the Italian league after joining Torino on loan.
The transfer came after it became clear that new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola didn’t fancy the England international as his No. 1.
Hart was able to call upon the services of his agent to secure a move that preserved his £130,000 weekly wage.
It was very different for players like Bill Gourlay when he played for City in the 1950s.
He found himself on the transfer list after being unable to displace legendary German keeper, Bert Trautmann.
Unhappy with his lot, there was no option but to take the matter into his own hands.
Like Hart, it led to him leaving the English Football League – but for a slightly less exotic location.
He recalled: “I wrote to several clubs in Scotland letting them know I was looking for a move,
“However, most of them already had a goalkeeper fixed up for the season ahead.
“It was then I heard from Archie Anderson, the manager of Cheltenham Town.
“He wrote to me saying that I should give him a ring.
“I was persuaded to join Cheltenham because I could move to the Southern League without there being a transfer involved.
“It meant there was no danger of my club
retaining my registration and leaving me unable to join a new team.”
Bill was a hot property when he joined Manchester City from Cowdenbeath in 1953 at the age of 21.
The English club paid £2000 for his services. That’s the equivalent of £50,000 today.
He went on: “I was told I was the most expensive Scottish goalkeeper at the time.
“I think the record only stood for a short time before Sunderland bought Jimmy Cowan from Morton.
“The first I heard about my move to City was when I read about it in the newspaper!
“I was a bit apprehensive. I’d never been further south than Edinburgh until I was 18.
“I found it quite hard to settle. Most of my team- mates were older, married lads. It meant I was on my own when training finished at mid-day.
“Getting into the team proved impossible because Bert Trautmann was probably the best goalie in Europe at the time.
“He was always ver y encouraging, however, and was very kind in helping me to win a medal with City.
“We reached the final of the Cheshire Cup and he told me he would stand down so I could play in the match.”
Unable to dislodge Trautmann, Bill then spent eight happy years with Cheltenham.
He said: “We had a first- class group of blokes and there was a real family atmosphere.
“Archie Anderson often looked north of the border for players and I recall us having a team containing seven Scots.
“He very nearly signed me for Ayr United when I was playing Junior football with Bathgate Thistle.
“I played a trial for them against Queen’s Park Strollers and was told to expect a signing offer. But nothing mater ialised and Cowdenbeath stepped in as their goalkeeper was out injured.
“I remember us ending an Ayr United unbeaten run, and afterwards Archie was heard arguing with our boss, Bobby Baxter, about stealing his player.”
Bill, now 85, also played for Weymouth before retiring to become a manager at an aircraft equipment firm in Cheltenham.