Mr Versatile

Many players in the past have moved on from Aberdeen in the hope of securing a better deal with a new club. Quite often things simply don’t work out.

Aberdeen 1976 League Cup hero Billy Williamson admits leaving Pittodrie was the biggest mistake of his career;

“Leaving Aberdeen when I did was a huge mistake.

“I was playing regularly in the Dons first team and the side was competing at the top end of the league. I thought the grass would be greener at Dundee United but I was wrong!

“It was a big mistake on my part as it was only after I left Aberdeen that I realised just how good a club it was.”

Billy Williamson emerged as a player in an era when playing for the jersey was far more important than any financial gain.

Billy was another in the long production line of youngsters from the Bobby Calder stable. The legendary Aberdeen scout was famed for championing the Aberdeen cause in the tough streets and playing fields of Glasgow as he consistently stole a march on some of the finest young talent in the country and enticed them north to Pittodrie.

“I started out with Kirkconnell Amateurs in my home town of Dumfries. I played as a striker and I did score a fair number of goals. That attracted the attentions of Bobby Calder and he came down to watch me in a few games.

“He then invited me up for a trial at Pittodrie and two weeks later I signed for Aberdeen as a young 17-year-old.” Bobby Calder had the habit of getting in ahead of both Rangers and Celtic back then and Billy was no different.

“Although I was brought up as a Rangers supporter, I was happy to sign for Aberdeen. Two weeks after I joined the Dons, Rangers contacted me with a view to offering me a deal, but it was always the Dons for me.”

Born in Dumfries on 29th September 1952, Billy made his competitive debut for Aberdeen against Cowdenbeath in a crucial league meeting at Central Park on 10th April 1971.

An injury to Tom McMillan saw Billy promoted from the reserves to play at right back with Henning Boel moving to centre half.

Aberdeen won 2-1 to keep in the title race. Billy acquitted himself well as manager Eddie Turnbull was happy with his new debutant;

“Young Billy was asked to fill in for Henning and he did not let us down. Cowdenbeath on their own pitch was always going to be difficult, but Billy did well and he is a player of real promise.”

Billy’s first game for the Dons first team was actually in a friendly at Coventry City;

“Although we lost 1-0 I got some good press after the game.”

Billy settled in well to his new surroundings; “I had no problem settling into my new surroundings, the players were very friendly and I struck up a great friendship with Jim Hermiston.

“Living in Aberdeen was great as it is a superb city and Pittodrie was a fantastic place to play football.”

Williamson would have to be patient before he could claim a first team place on a regular basis and it was arguably his versatility that suggested that his best position remained uncertain.

It was as a striker that Billy spent his formative days as, and under Eddie Turnbull he was used as a midfielder and full back.

Billy was a regular in the reserves when Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup in 1970, and while he was on the periphery of the squad as the Dons celebrated that great success, it made Billy determined to establish himself in the side and gain success of his own. It was not until season 1972.73 that Billy became a regular in the side.

“Eddie Turnbull had left long before I became a regular in the side, and it was Jim Bonthrone who gave my chance. Jim was a great manager and a good man.”

Billy took over at right back from Alex Willoughby and he held on to that position for the best part of a year before he moved to a midfield role at the beginning of 1975.

It was from that position that he scored a memorable hat trick in a 3-2 win over Celtic in March 1975.

“That was a great experience for me and it was the best game I ever played for the Dons. Scoring three goals against Celtic was unforgettable.”

Just over a year later Williamson was in the Aberdeen side that won the League Cup under new manager Ally MacLeod. Aberdeen had struggled in the first season of the Premier League and Williamson was a regular in the side that just helped the Dons to escape relegation in 1976.

Some months later Billy reverted to a left back role and he was in the side that beat Celtic at Hampden in the final;

“Winning the League Cup was the highlight of my career and beating Celtic was a tremendous achievement. To be in that side was great and the crowd that day were amazing.

“Coming back to Aberdeen after winning the cup was tremendous. We had also beaten Rangers 5-1 in the semi final so we did it the hard way.”

Despite that success, Billy’s career turned in February 1977 when he was sold to Dundee Utd in a £14,000 transfer. However his stay at Tannadice was a short one;

“United had been chasing me for several weeks and were really keen to sign me. Looking back I should never have left the Dons as I was settled and enjoying my football. I only played 11 games for Dundee Utd before joining Dundee.”

It was at Dens Park that Williamson enjoyed his football again; “I was with Dundee for four years and helped them back to the Premier League. They were a good club to play for and a great support.”

In 1981 Billy left Dundee and decided to move to Australia. “I joined Brisbane Lions and was there for two years before my playing career came to an end. After that I did some coaching over there and also represented Queensland.”

Billy settled in Brisbane after his career was over and is enjoying life Down Under; “I live in Brisbane and love the climate; mild winters and beautiful summers’.

However I do miss Scotland in all its’ glory and I do take the time to come home for an occasional holiday. I also have my eight-year-old grandson who is playing football and I cheer him on from the sidelines.”

Billy still looks out for the Dons results;

“I always look out for Aberdeen’s results and the Former Players magazine is fantastic so I still keep in touch with things. The internet is a good tool for keeping up to date. I wish Aberdeen a great season and all the best for the future.”

Billy Williamson played 135 competitive games for Aberdeen between 1971-1977, scoring 23 goals.