Playing position Role Football player Years Team Height 1.7 m | Position Forward Name Willie Johnston | |
Full name William McClure Johnston Date of birth (1946-12-19) 19 December 1946 (age 69) | ||
Willie johnston west bromwich albion hero
William McClure Johnston (born 19 December 1946) is a Scottish former professional football player, best remembered for his time at Rangers and West Bromwich Albion. He made 21 international appearances for Scotland and was selected for their 1978 FIFA World Cup squad, but was sent home from the tournament after failing a drugs test.
Contents
- Willie johnston west bromwich albion hero
- Synd 7 6 78 scottish footballer willie johnston returns from argentina
- Career
- Personal life
- References
Synd 7 6 78 scottish footballer willie johnston returns from argentina
Career
He scored twice in the final as Rangers won the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1972 by defeating Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in Barcelona. In December 1972 he moved to England to join West Bromwich Albion, making his debut against Liverpool in the same month. Albion paid a club record £138,000 to bring him to The Hawthorns.
However, his career included some controversial incidents. After Scotland's opening game of the 1978 World Cup, against Peru, Johnston tested positive for a banned stimulant contained in Reactivan, a medication prescribed for his hay-fever. His subsequent expulsion from the squad ended his international career after 21 appearances, although he maintained his innocence.
While playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, he once mooned the Seattle Sounders bench following a goal, and on another occasion took a swig from a fan's beer before taking a corner kick in San Jose, setting up a goal from the set-piece. Johnston was a key member of the 1979 NASL champion Vancouver Whitecaps, helping them defeat the New York Cosmos in the semi-final, and then the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–1 in Soccer Bowl '79.
Aberdeen player John McMaster had to be given the kiss of life during a game against Rangers at Ibrox in 1980 after Johnston stamped on his throat.
In 2004 Johnston was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.
Personal life
Johnston was brought up in Cardenden, working as a miner after leaving school.
He now lives in Kirkcaldy. The Port Brae Bar pub there was run by his son Dean until a dispute with the Belhaven Brewery led to the pub being boarded up, locking Johnston's collection of memorabilia inside.