Willie Falconer

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For other people named William Falconer, see William Falconer (disambiguation).

Willie Falconer
Personal information
Full name William Henry Falconer[1]
Date of birth (1966-04-05) 5 April 1966 (age 55)
Place of birth Aberdeen, Scotland
Position(s) Striker / Utility player
Youth career
Aberdeen Lads Club
1981–1983 Aberdeen
1981–1982 → Lewis United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1988 Aberdeen 77 (13)
1988–1991 Watford 71 (12)
1991–1993 Middlesbrough 53 (10)
1993–1994 Sheffield United 23 (3)
1994–1996 Celtic 42 (5)
1996–1998 Motherwell 66 (11)
1998–2001 Dundee 78 (21)
2001 Clydebank 1 (0)
2001–2002 St Johnstone 29 (3)
2002 Grimsby Town 2 (0)
2002–2003 Clyde 20 (4)
Total 462 (82)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

William Henry Falconer (born 5 April 1966 in Aberdeen) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played for a string of Scottish and English clubs from 1982 to 2003. He could play in virtually any position on the pitch, but was most commonly used as a striker.

Career[]

Falconer began his career playing for his home town club, Aberdeen, in 1982, and had an initial loan spell at Junior team Lewis United.[2] During his six years at Pittodrie Stadium, he made 77 league appearances and scored 13 goals. Never more than a squad member other than in his final season, he did play enough games to earn a 1984–85 Scottish Premier Division winner's medal, and also played and scored in the 1987 Scottish League Cup Final (lost on penalties).[3]

Falconer then moved south of the border to Watford for £300,000 in 1988. During his three years at Vicarage Road, he played 71 games, scoring 12 goals. He also gained a reputation as a no-nonsense, tough tackling midfielder, and was sent off the field on more than one occasion.

In 1991, Falconer transferred to Middlesbrough (then managed by Lennie Lawrence) in a swap deal involving Trevor Putney moving the other way. His first season at Boro was successful, with the team winning promotion from the old 2nd Division and entering the inaugural Premier League, and also reaching the semi finals of the League Cup.[4] However, the next season wasn't as happy as an ill-equipped Middlesbrough side were relegated from the Premier League. The following summer Falconer was sold to Sheffield United for £400,000.

After less than a season at Bramall Lane, in early 1994 Falconer was transferred back north of the border to Celtic for £350,000. Although only at the club for two years, and behind others such as Pierre van Hooijdonk and Andreas Thom for a place in the side, he became something of a cult hero in Glasgow. He came on as a substitute in the club's 1995 Scottish Cup Final win. His transfer also spelt the end for the Celtic board at that time, as the bank refused to pay his transfer fee.[citation needed] A transfer to Motherwell in January 1996 was followed by a free transfer in summer 1998 to Dundee to strengthen their newly-promoted team, along with several other Motherwell players including Tommy Coyne.

After three successful years in the Scottish Premier League with Dundee, in which he played alongside Claudio Caniggia and was both top scorer and named their supporters' player of the year in 2000,[5] Falconer's career involved four clubs in two years, playing for Clydebank, St Johnstone and Clyde[6] in Scotland and Grimsby in England.

Falconer returned to Motherwell to become a coach of the under-19 side for several years, and later operated a property rental business in Scotland.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ "Willie Falconer". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Afc Former Players Interview with Willie Falconer". Aberdeen F.C. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  3. ^ Reynolds, Jim (26 October 1987). "Spot-on Rangers earn the cheers". The Glasgow Herald. p. 9. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Player Q&A: Willie Falconer talks promotion, relegation and tough opposition". Boro Brick Road. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Played for Dundee and Motherwell – Willie Falconer". Dundee F.C. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Willie Falconer Signs From Grimsby". Clyde F.C. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2017.

External links[]

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