DAVIDSON, William (1936)

Overview

Hamilton born, on 5th November 1919, he later moved to Braidwood. He was a full back who played with Carluke Rovers and Larkhall Thistle prior to his move to Douglas Park in 1936. The day following him signing for Accies he was offered similar terms by Motherwell.

Came into the Hamilton first team in December that same year where he played in eight consecutive games when the regular full back, Jamie Bulloch, the club captain, was unavailable. During these fixtures only one game was lost, however when Bulloch came back, it was back to the reserve side for William. While there he caught the eye of the selectors for a game at Aberdeen and he was one of two Accies players picked, goalkeeper Jimmy Jack, being the other, to represent the Scottish Alliance League in a match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on 27th February 1937.

Unable to break into the first team he was allowed to leave Hamilton on a free transfer in April 1939.

During the war years he was with the Royal Marines latterly as a Landing Craft Commander, and while with them he played in troop exhibition matches at that time throughout Europe. He appeared against the Army PTI side in the National Italian Stadium in Reggio Di Calabria, following the Allied landings in Southern Italy. It was said that the Army XI was composed of the best professional players of the day, it was therefore a great honour to be chosen to appear against them to represent the other Services.

The war over he was posted to Portsmouth where he became a driving instructor, attaining the rank of Colour Sergeant. He continued to play competitive football until the mid 1950’s when an injury ended his career. It was during that period that he met and married his wife, herself a talented sportswoman, she too had represented the Navy in several sports, most notably fencing and gymnastics.

William’s final posting was to Aden. On his discharge he settled in the Southampton area and took up a security post with a major American company. At the age of 53 he suffered a stroke, his independent spirit kept him going for another 25 years before he moved to a coastal rest home in Netley, near Southampton where he died on 26th January 1999. He was aged 80 years. His eldest son, Hugh, played semi professional football, while his youngest son played second team cricket for Hampshire.

Debut on 5th December 1936 in a Scottish League match away to Kilmarnock.

Scottish League 8 Appearances

Accies Career

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