Willie Young
Encyclopedia
William David "Willie" Young (born 25 November 1951) is a Scottish
former football
er.
A large, physically intimidating centre back from Edinburgh
, Young first played for Aberdeen
, and made 187 appearances for the Dons between 1970 and 1975. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur
in September 1975, and made 54 appearances for Spurs in two seasons. In March 1977, Young signed for Spurs' arch-rivals Arsenal
.
Young immediately became a regular in the Arsenal first team, and played in all of the Gunners' trio of FA Cup
finals; after losing to Ipswich Town
in 1978, Young was on the winning side the following year, with a 3–2 defeat of Manchester United
.
Young continued to be Arsenal's first choice centre back until the 1981–82
season, when he lost his place to Chris Whyte
. Having played 237 times for Arsenal, the 30-year-old Young then joined Nottingham Forest
in December 1981 for £50,000, and played 59 times over two seasons there. In 1983 he joined Norwich City
, but with injuries dogging him, he failed to secure a regular place in the side; short spells at Brighton
and Darlington
followed, before retiring from the game in November 1984.
Young left the game completely after his retirement, and after running a pub
near Nottingham
, he now owns kennel
s in Bottesford, Leicestershire
. He can occasionally be seen on television as a football pundit on STV
's Scotsport
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er.
A large, physically intimidating centre back from Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Young first played for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, and made 187 appearances for the Dons between 1970 and 1975. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in September 1975, and made 54 appearances for Spurs in two seasons. In March 1977, Young signed for Spurs' arch-rivals Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
Young immediately became a regular in the Arsenal first team, and played in all of the Gunners' trio of FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
finals; after losing to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in 1978, Young was on the winning side the following year, with a 3–2 defeat of Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Young continued to be Arsenal's first choice centre back until the 1981–82
1981-82 in English football
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
season, when he lost his place to Chris Whyte
Chris Whyte
Christopher Anderson "Chris" Whyte is an English former footballer. He made nearly 350 appearances in the Football League for a variety of clubs, and was capped by England at under-21 level....
. Having played 237 times for Arsenal, the 30-year-old Young then joined Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in December 1981 for £50,000, and played 59 times over two seasons there. In 1983 he joined Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, but with injuries dogging him, he failed to secure a regular place in the side; short spells at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
followed, before retiring from the game in November 1984.
Young left the game completely after his retirement, and after running a pub
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
near Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, he now owns kennel
Kennel
A kennel is the name given to any structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept...
s in Bottesford, Leicestershire
Bottesford, Leicestershire
This page is about the English village of Bottesford near Grantham. For the Bottesford near Scunthorpe, see Bottesford, LincolnshireBottesford is a village and civil parish within the Melton district of Leicestershire, England....
. He can occasionally be seen on television as a football pundit on STV
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
's Scotsport
Scotsport
Scotsport was a Scottish sports television programme, broadcast on STV in northern and central Scotland, as well as on Border Television in southern Scotland. It was recognised as the world's longest-running sports television magazine....
.