Willie Falconer
Encyclopedia
William "Willie" Henry Falconer (born 5 April 1966 in Aberdeen
) is a Scottish
former professional association football player, 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.
, in 1982. During his 6 years there, he made 77 appearances and scoring 13 goals before he moved south of the border to Watford
for £300,000. During his 3 years at Watford, Willie 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, Willie moved to Middlesbrough
(then managed by Lennie Lawrence
) in a swap deal involving Trevor Putney
moving the other way. Willie's 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 (then known as the Rumbelows Cup). However, Willie's next season wasn't as happy as an ill-equipped Middlesbrough side were relegated from the Premier League. The following summer Willie was sold to Sheffield United
for £400,000.
After a season with Sheffield United, Falconer was transferred back north of the border to Celtic for £350,000. Although he only played 33 games in 3 years for Celtic, he became somewhat of a cult hero there. His transfer also spelt the end for the Celtic board at that time, as the bank refused to pay his transfer fee.
After Celtic, Willie's career involved a lot of clubs in not very many years. He spent most of his remaining years in Scotland, playing for Motherwell
, Dundee
, Clydebank
, St. Johnstone and Clyde
. However, he did move back to England with Grimsby
in 2002 for one start and one substitution appearance.
In 2008, Falconer returned to Motherwell to become a coach of the under-19 side.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
) is a Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
former professional association football player, 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, AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, in 1982. During his 6 years there, he made 77 appearances and scoring 13 goals before he moved south of the border to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
for £300,000. During his 3 years at Watford, Willie 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, Willie moved to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
(then managed by Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
) in a swap deal involving Trevor Putney
Trevor Putney
Trevor Anthony Putney is a former professional footballer.Putney began his career with Ipswich Town, for whom he made 103 appearances and was voted the club's player of the year by the supporters in 1984...
moving the other way. Willie's 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 (then known as the Rumbelows Cup). However, Willie's next season wasn't as happy as an ill-equipped Middlesbrough side were relegated from the Premier League. The following summer Willie was sold to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
for £400,000.
After a season with Sheffield United, Falconer was transferred back north of the border to Celtic for £350,000. Although he only played 33 games in 3 years for Celtic, he became somewhat of a cult hero there. His transfer also spelt the end for the Celtic board at that time, as the bank refused to pay his transfer fee.
After Celtic, Willie's career involved a lot of clubs in not very many years. He spent most of his remaining years in Scotland, playing for Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
, Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
, St. Johnstone and Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
. However, he did move back to England with Grimsby
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in 2002 for one start and one substitution appearance.
In 2008, Falconer returned to Motherwell to become a coach of the under-19 side.