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Willie McSeveney
Date of Birth: 04-03-1929
Position: Midfield
Joined: 05-03-1949
Appearances: 132
Substitute Appearances:
Goals: 27
Nationality: Scottish
Previous Clubs:
Subsequent Clubs: Motherwell
Died: 15-12-2021
Debut against Dumbarton SL2
Last game against Ayr United SL2
An extremely talented all-round footballer, McSeveney showed early promise at wing-half. He was denied the chance of playing in the 1949/50 League Cup Final due to his National Service call-up that caused him to miss practically an entire season.
By 1953/54 he was the club`s first choice inside-left and his thirteen goals, including one against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup, earned him a £1,000 transfer to the Fir Park side.
Willie McSeveney was one of Dunfermline Athletic`s finest players of the late 1940s/ early 1950s when he passed away in December 2021 at the age of 92, he had almost certainly been the oldest living former Pars player.
Willie hailed from Shotts in Lanarkshire and as a youngster made the headlines with the local YMCA team who won four major YMCA trophies in two years and helping Willie himself to gain youth caps for Scotland with the YMCA. Willie moved to Wishaw Juniors, then at the age of 19 moved to Dunfermline, having been signed by then Chairman Tom Gibson on 10th September 1948.
Rise to the first team he most certainly did, and wearing the number 6 shirt, he made his debut in a league match against Dumbarton at East End Park on 5th March 1949. Dunfermline won 3-2 and Willie played his part, keeping his place in the team while the Pars went unbeaten in the next three matches.
Back in the side in 1950, Willie began to be viewed as an extremely talented all-round footballer, and during the season he was employed at left-back, wing half and inside forward.
However, it was at left back that Willie arguably had his best ever game for Dunfermline. In season 1951/52, Dunfermline remained in the Second Division and, without a recognised left back, Willie was asked to fill the position. The club went on another great League Cup run and reached the quarter-final stage where they were due to play Rangers star-studded line up in the first leg at East End Park on 15th September 1951. In front of a then record crowd, Dunfermline stunned the football world, winning 1-0. Much of that success was due to a man of the match performance from McSeveney who completely subdued Scotland star winger Willie Waddell.
He proved to be one of the most versatile players ever seen at East End, making around half of his appearances in defence and a quarter each in midfield and attack, equally adept on both left and right. By 1953/54 he was the club`s first choice inside-left and was in great goalscoring form as his thirteen goals that season demonstrated. Included among that number was a goal against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup in February 1954. Dunfermline were still beaten 5-2 by the Steelmen in that game but Motherwell recognised McSeveney`s talents and showed immediate interest in signing him.
At that point Motherwell were romping to the Second Division title while Dunfermline remained stuck in mid-table, so after six years at East End Park, Willie decided it was time to move on. English club Middlesbrough had also shown interest but it was Motherwell who got him to put pen to paper on 11th March 1954, paying a £1,200 transfer fee to get him to Fir Park.
Although Willie is probably best remembered for his achievements at Motherwell, it was at East End Park that his career developed, and Willie never forgot that.
Willie made his final appearance for the Pars on 10th March 1954 against Ayr United in a six year career that saw him make 132 appearances for Dunfermline Athletic, scoring 27 goals.
His achievements at both Dunfermline and Motherwell are all the more remarkable when you consider that throughout his career he was never a full-time footballer. A painter and decorator to trade, Willie combined both jobs throughout, and as an extension to his trade, became an expert signwriter.
Position: Midfield
Joined: 05-03-1949
Appearances: 132
Substitute Appearances:
Goals: 27
Nationality: Scottish
Previous Clubs:
Subsequent Clubs: Motherwell
Died: 15-12-2021
Debut against Dumbarton SL2
Last game against Ayr United SL2
An extremely talented all-round footballer, McSeveney showed early promise at wing-half. He was denied the chance of playing in the 1949/50 League Cup Final due to his National Service call-up that caused him to miss practically an entire season.
By 1953/54 he was the club`s first choice inside-left and his thirteen goals, including one against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup, earned him a £1,000 transfer to the Fir Park side.
Willie McSeveney was one of Dunfermline Athletic`s finest players of the late 1940s/ early 1950s when he passed away in December 2021 at the age of 92, he had almost certainly been the oldest living former Pars player.
Willie hailed from Shotts in Lanarkshire and as a youngster made the headlines with the local YMCA team who won four major YMCA trophies in two years and helping Willie himself to gain youth caps for Scotland with the YMCA. Willie moved to Wishaw Juniors, then at the age of 19 moved to Dunfermline, having been signed by then Chairman Tom Gibson on 10th September 1948.
Rise to the first team he most certainly did, and wearing the number 6 shirt, he made his debut in a league match against Dumbarton at East End Park on 5th March 1949. Dunfermline won 3-2 and Willie played his part, keeping his place in the team while the Pars went unbeaten in the next three matches.
Back in the side in 1950, Willie began to be viewed as an extremely talented all-round footballer, and during the season he was employed at left-back, wing half and inside forward.
However, it was at left back that Willie arguably had his best ever game for Dunfermline. In season 1951/52, Dunfermline remained in the Second Division and, without a recognised left back, Willie was asked to fill the position. The club went on another great League Cup run and reached the quarter-final stage where they were due to play Rangers star-studded line up in the first leg at East End Park on 15th September 1951. In front of a then record crowd, Dunfermline stunned the football world, winning 1-0. Much of that success was due to a man of the match performance from McSeveney who completely subdued Scotland star winger Willie Waddell.
He proved to be one of the most versatile players ever seen at East End, making around half of his appearances in defence and a quarter each in midfield and attack, equally adept on both left and right. By 1953/54 he was the club`s first choice inside-left and was in great goalscoring form as his thirteen goals that season demonstrated. Included among that number was a goal against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup in February 1954. Dunfermline were still beaten 5-2 by the Steelmen in that game but Motherwell recognised McSeveney`s talents and showed immediate interest in signing him.
At that point Motherwell were romping to the Second Division title while Dunfermline remained stuck in mid-table, so after six years at East End Park, Willie decided it was time to move on. English club Middlesbrough had also shown interest but it was Motherwell who got him to put pen to paper on 11th March 1954, paying a £1,200 transfer fee to get him to Fir Park.
Although Willie is probably best remembered for his achievements at Motherwell, it was at East End Park that his career developed, and Willie never forgot that.
Willie made his final appearance for the Pars on 10th March 1954 against Ayr United in a six year career that saw him make 132 appearances for Dunfermline Athletic, scoring 27 goals.
His achievements at both Dunfermline and Motherwell are all the more remarkable when you consider that throughout his career he was never a full-time footballer. A painter and decorator to trade, Willie combined both jobs throughout, and as an extension to his trade, became an expert signwriter.
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