Dunfermline Athletic

Willie Callaghan

Friday, 22nd Aug 2014

Willie Callaghan was honoured to be one of those chosen for recognition in the tunnel photo gallery.

Willie said that there wasn't a day that goes past without him thinking about Dunfermline Athletic and he felt that he was the luckiest man alive to have joined straight from school. It was in 1958 when the 15 year old arrived and although often linked with Crossgates Primrose, Willie felt that he only played one game there after he left Halbeath Boys Club.

"I started on £10 per week and received £25 for signing on. I joined a wee quiet team but then all of a sudden Mr Stein arrived and that was a complete change. Charlie Dickson, Geordie Peebles, Ronnie Mailer, and John Sweeney all came through the change.

"I was fortunate to be here and Big Jock tagged me the'Wee Man'. All of a sudden I was moved from centre forward to right back. When Cammy Fraser was transferred I got my place in the first team."

Willie's best memory was the Inter Cities Fairs Cup match against Everton at Goodison Park.

"I had only played three times and one of those was at Ibrox against Willie Henderson. When he read the team out it was Connachan. Callaghan and Cunningham. I took fright but the Big Man took me through to the shower and told me that if I wasn't good enough I wouldn't be in his team - don't give them a kick at the ball.

"I never looked back after that. Willie Cunningham was unbelievable and he gave me my greatest achievement in captaining the club."

Willie was capped for Scotland and might have made more appearances but for his reluctance to play for another club :-

"I wanted to play for Scotland as a Dunfermline player not because I was playing for Celtic or anybody else."



Views : 5,995


Archived website
This website served as the official Dunfermline Athletic website from season 2006-2007 until season 2022-2023.

Stories, match reports and interviews for these seasons can still be accessed here.

The current DAFC website with up to date information is on this link https://DAFC.co.uk
DAFC Archives
Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust. Information on past players, fixtures, league tables and archives can be found at www.daht.org.uk
ParsTV
For Season 2023/2024 SPFL regulations mean that on a Saturday afternoon we have to offer a Subscription service for overseas viewers. This will either be a monthly or a yearly subscription (on a Saturday it is FOR OVERSEAS viewers only - some dates are exempt.) https://ParsTV.co.uk
  • /files/pstwebsitead_0172.jpg
  • files/sms2_red_copy_8356.jpg
  • /files/youngpars_2016_9593.jpg
  • /files/business_clubadvert_3633.jpg
Archives
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1991
1986
1979
1968
1965
1962
1961
1960
1957
1949

To top