Willie Hamilton

[DanishJohn]

His name cropped up on the transfer thread but thought I would keep this for a thread of it's own.

Apologies if this has already been posted/discussed.

I just thought it was a brilliant read and probably drew together a lot of little segments I have read in the past.
It was written by a Newcastle Utd fan whose dad was a Jambo.

I am a dinosaur re technology but hope this helps

footballpink.net/willie-hamilton-a-legacy-lost-in-time/

[superfurryhibby]

His name cropped up on the transfer thread but thought I would keep this for a thread of it's own.

Apologies if this has already been posted/discussed.

I just thought it was a brilliant read and probably drew together a lot of little segments I have read in the past.
It was written by a Newcastle Utd fan whose dad was a Jambo.

I am a dinosaur re technology but hope this helps

footballpink.net/willie-hamilton-a-legacy-lost-in-time/

I have to quote you to make the link live on my device.

When you read the praise his team mates gave him, it's clear how highly regarded Wille Hamilton was. I recently watched the highlights of the game v Real Madrid. Hamilton was class. He played with the head up and with total confidence in his ability to make a pass or drop a shoulder and glide past an opponent. Before my time, but it was obvious the guy was a quality footballer.

Edit; Link still not working for me

[son of haggart]

Great read

I saw him play a few times (but I was only 7 or 8 at the time so don't remember too much about him)

Someone posted this up on the Hearts forum earlier this year - footage from Hearts Kilmarnock 1962-3 League cup final. You wont want to watch it all I'm sure but the lead up play to the goal at around 5 minutes does give a good indication of his skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY1qLX0nVoE

[JeMeSouviens]

I have to quote you to make the link live on my device.

When you read the praise his team mates gave him, it's clear how highly regarded Wille Hamilton was. I recently watched the highlights of the game v Real Madrid. Hamilton was class. He played with the head up and with total confidence in his ability to make a pass or drop a shoulder and glide past an opponent. Before my time, but it was obvious the guy was a quality footballer.

Edit; Link still not working for me

http://footballpink.net/willie-hamilton-a-legacy-lost-in-time/

[JeMeSouviens]

Great read

I saw him play a few times (but I was only 7 or 8 at the time so don't remember too much about him)

Someone posted this up on the Hearts forum earlier this year - footage from Hearts Kilmarnock 1962-3 League cup final. You wont want to watch it all I'm sure but the lead up play to the goal at around 5 minutes does give a good indication of his skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY1qLX0nVoE

Didn't watch, preferred this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z0Qa7sjDg :wink:

[Alfred E Newman]

One of his finest performances for Hibs was the 1965 New Year derby which fortunately can be seen on YouTube. I was fortunate to be in the crowd that day and the short film gives a glimpse of just how good a player he was.
Unfortunately Willie didn't keep himself in top condition which showed but he more than made up for that with his footballing ability.

[Mick O'Rourke]

I wrote this about Willie on the Dream Team thread a wee while back

Willie Hamilton would be first pick if i was to name a dream team.
Willie without doubt in my opinion the most talented,gifted,natural player i saw in a Hibs jersey and that includes Sauzee.

Along with his idol,Joe Baker,Willie was also a great favourite of Jimmy O'Rourke.

The players at ER when Hammy was around were in awe of his skills and his reading of a game.
Willie could take the baw awe the way up the park,switch one way,then the other,while beating players without loooking at the ball.
Remarkable,truly remarkable.

Having played against Willie Hamilton,the great Real Madrid legend, Ference Puskas stated.
" Willie Hamilton would not have looked out of place in a Real Madrid side"

That was the Real Madrid team who had just won 5 European Cups on the trot!

Jock Stein is also quoted as saying that Willie was one of the finest footballers he managed.


Ference Puskas and Jock Stein hailing you!
That is testament indeed .

[son of haggart]

Didn't watch, preferred this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z0Qa7sjDg :wink:

Had a quick look (I was too young to be allowed to go to derbies so have never seen that footage)

Brings back some memories (Cruickshank in particular)

[A Hi-Bee]

Willie was a true maverick, any player that could take the pee out of Jim Baxter in his prime (he done that more than once) was a very special talent for sure.
:aok:

[H18S NX]

My alltime favourite player.

[Norrieg]

Willie was a true maverick, any player that could take the pee out of Jim Baxter in his prime (he done that more than once) was a very special talent for sure.
:aok:
I saw him do that to Baxter. He was the most gifted and talented footballer I ever saw. He had the amazing ability to not even look at the ball whilst bringing it under control with either foot. A wee shimmy, and he had left players in his wake. The best of memories. Yes, he would be my first pick in any team. Pity the drink got him.


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[brog]

Willie was a true maverick, any player that could take the pee out of Jim Baxter in his prime (he done that more than once) was a very special talent for sure.
:aok:

I remember the 4-2 game at Ibrox, Pat Quinn and Willie were causing chaos with various short corner routines. Baxter put his hand up, waved the other Rangers players away and went to the corner flag to deal with it. Pat passed the ball to Willie on the byeline, Jim B slid in to intercept the return pass. Meanwhile Willie had opened his legs, dummied the pass and was gliding towards goal as Jim B lay on his a**e by the corner flag. Classic!

[Fergos]

My Faither always said WH was the best he’d seen and he had watched both the Famous 5 and Turnbulls side. Naturally gifted and a true ball player, or baller as they say nowadays.

Sure WH had the newsagents on the turn from Robertson Avenue, Shandon way for years. Played with his grandson at juvenile level and he was a decent player too.

GGTTH

[ripvanwinkle]

My Faither always said WH was the best he’d seen and he had watched both the Famous 5 and Turnbulls side. Naturally gifted and a true ball player, or baller as they say nowadays.

Sure WH had the newsagents on the turn from Robertson Avenue, Shandon way for years. Played with his grandson at juvenile level and he was a decent player too.

GGTTHThe newsagent was Johnny Hamilto of Hearts. Could not be further removed in terms of skill than Willie!

[madsen5]

The newsagent was Johnny Hamilto of Hearts. Could not be further removed in terms of skill than Willie!

Genius !!!!!

[greenginger]

My Faither always said WH was the best he’d seen and he had watched both the Famous 5 and Turnbulls side. Naturally gifted and a true ball player, or baller as they say nowadays.

Sure WH had the newsagents on the turn from Robertson Avenue, Shandon way for years. Played with his grandson at juvenile level and he was a decent player too.

GGTTH

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Hamilton_(footballer,_born_1938)

Willie emigrated to Canada in 1975 to work as a bricklayer. He died the following year of a heart attack at the age of 38.
He is buried in Calgary, Alberta.

[Stairway 2 7]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Hamilton_(footballer,_born_1938)

Willie emigrated to Canada in 1975 to work as a bricklayer. He died the following year of a heart attack at the age of 38.
He is buried in Calgary, Alberta.

Shocking end of life seeing as no marks are millionaires nowadays

[Mick O'Rourke]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Hamilton_(footballer,_born_1938)

Willie emigrated to Canada in 1975 to work as a bricklayer. He died the following year of a heart attack at the age of 38.
He is buried in Calgary, Alberta.

Hibs did two summer tours of North America in the 1960s
Willie was on the 1965 tour.
The famous silver salver story is from that tour.
I wonder if Willie got the urge then to one day return to Canada ?
Hibs played in Calgary on that tour.
Jimmy told me they visited the famous Calgary Stampede(rodeo event)
You jogged my memory,as you indicated Willie's resting place is in that City.


Some of the team from that tour on pictures linked

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/nostalgia/13-photos-to-transport-you-back-to-watching-hibs-in-the-1960s-3259290?page=1

[Fergos]

The newsagent was Johnny Hamilto of Hearts. Could not be further removed in terms of skill than Willie!

I stand blissfully corrected! In fairness I was a nipper round those times. Corrected I am however.

GG

[davy67 +]

Excellent article, my dad gas always rated Willie as one of his favourite Hibs players, it sad that he isn't more recognised. I've read a few articles about him in the past its such a shame what happened

[Forza Fred]

I saw Willie many times.

A Flawed Genius.

[One Day]

http://footballpink.net/willie-hamilton-a-legacy-lost-in-time/

What a great read. I am just about old enough to remember Willie Hamilton, but, was to young to really appreciate how good he was at the time.

[brog]

One of his finest performances for Hibs was the 1965 New Year derby which fortunately can be seen on YouTube. I was fortunate to be in the crowd that day and the short film gives a glimpse of just how good a player he was.
Unfortunately Willie didn't keep himself in top condition which showed but he more than made up for that with his footballing ability.

The day after the 1965 derby we played Falkirk at ER. As usual Willie's shirt had a huge sweat mark within 5 minutes of kick off, in January! There's no doubt there had been long celebrations the night before. Despite this Willie was magnificent, we won 6 0 with Neil Martin getting 4 and Stan Vincent 2. Stan still claims Neil robbed him of his only Hibs hat trick!! Neil got 4 but Willie got MOTM. His nearest challenger was Willie Whigham, the Falkirk keeper who stopped it being 10. Willie was a big Hibby and despite the scoreline had a great time laughing and joking with the Shed.
Lovely thread about a lovely but fragile man.

[heretoday]

Willie Whigham! Big tall keeper with a face only a mother could love. Now you're talking!

[brog]

Willie Whigham! Big tall keeper with a face only a mother could love. Now you're talking!

That's the one!

[superfurryhibby]

There's a very good article from the Scotsman archives.

https://archive.ph/20120720173611/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=139922006#selection-3503.0-3523.503

"
Perhaps the pinnacle of Hamilton's playing career would arrive later that year when he helped Hearts win the League Cup at Hampden by providing the cut-back for his friend Norrie Davidson's match-winning goal against Kilmarnock. Although he was only 13th man on that occasion, Alan Gordon, another fine footballer who played for both Hearts and Hibs, recalls his team-mate with undisguised admiration.
"Trying to find a word which sums up Willie as a footballer is difficult," reflected the Edinburgh accountant. "Dynamic is maybe the one I would use. Not only was he very skilful, but he also had a wicked streak, which is no bad thing in a footballer if it's controlled. He could look after himself physically without any problem.
"Willie could do things you never saw others attempt and that was because he had such quick feet. He also had that glint in his eye which let you know he had a great football brain. Put that together with real pace over short distances and you had a lot of wonderful plus factors. All these years later and I still recall a 6-0 win against Moscow Torpedo which inspired another show of brilliance from Willie. The Russians had already given Rangers and Kilmarnock tough games, but Hearts thrashed them."

In the same article the journalist recalls Jock Stein talking about Hamilton and comparing him to Dalglish in terms of talent.

I didn't realise Willie died so young, aged only 38.

[ancient hibee]

I would name Willie as the second best Hibs midfielder I've seen and there's no shame in being second to Bobby Johnstone.

I noticed mention of Davy Hogg with the photo of the 11-1 demolition of Hamilton. He ran riot that day and was always just on the fringe of being a regular but never quite made it. Malcolm Bogie was another in the same mould. Both were hugely popular with the reserve team crowds.

[Alfred E Newman]

The day after the 1965 derby we played Falkirk at ER. As usual Willie's shirt had a huge sweat mark within 5 minutes of kick off, in January! There's no doubt there had been long celebrations the night before. Despite this Willie was magnificent, we won 6 0 with Neil Martin getting 4 and Stan Vincent 2. Stan still claims Neil robbed him of his only Hibs hat trick!! Neil got 4 but Willie got MOTM. His nearest challenger was Willie Whigham, the Falkirk keeper who stopped it being 10. Willie was a big Hibby and despite the scoreline had a great time laughing and joking with the Shed.
Lovely thread about a lovely but fragile man.
I took my girl friend to that game , her first visit to Easter Road. It obviously didn't put her off as we have now been married for 53 years.

[brog]

I took my girl friend to that game , her first visit to Easter Road. It obviously didn't put her off as we have now been married for 53 years.

Congrats! Has she seen us win since?:wink:

[Keith_M]

Talking of Newsagents (I'm sure somebody did)


Who was the ex Hearts;player that had the Newsagents in the top corner of St Andrew Square Bus Station (long before it was rebuilt/refurbished)?

[ancient hibee]

Talking of Newsagents (I'm sure somebody did)


Who was the ex Hearts;player that had the Newsagents in the top corner of St Andrew Square Bus Station (long before it was rebuilt/refurbished)?


Bobby Parker. He got it when it was first built in the late50s-early 60s.

[Keith_M]

Bobby Parker. He got it when it was first built in the late50s-early 60s.



:aok:

[loanheadhibby]

Excellent article, my dad gas always rated Willie as one of his favourite Hibs players, it sad that he isn't more recognised. I've read a few articles about him in the past its such a shame what happened
I saw him play for Hibs many times.
He was a very very good player.
Probably not more recognised as wasn't at ER for as long as some would have you believe.
I think someone stated in a previous post he was as good as Gordon Smith.
He wasn't.

[BILLYHIBS]

I saw him play for Hibs many times.
He was a very very good player.
Probably not more recognised as wasn't at ER for as long as some would have you believe.
I think someone stated in a previous post he was as good as Gordon Smith.
He wasn't.
Lots of clubs offered Hibs a blank cheque for Gordon Smith and Hibs refused alas the same cannot be said of Willie Hamilton as brilliant player that he was clubs were reluctant to take a chance on his lifestyle

Great player