Fotheringham Willie Image 1 Airdrieonians 1921

Description

Larkhall, Lanarkshire born goalkeeper Willie Fotheringham made some 580 appearances during a lengthy and notable career with Airdrieonians, Dundee, St Mirren, Greenock Morton and Queen of the South. He joined Airdrie in 1919 from hometown junior club Larkhall Thistle, playing 81 matches for Airdrie before a move to Dundee in the summer of 1921. In his three year spell at Dundee he only missed 3 out of 118 matches before Greenock Morton signed him in 1924. He made another 105 appearances at Cappielow before St Mirren signed him in June 1927 for £275.

He played 183 times for The Buddies before Queen of the South signed him in April 1933, and it is perhaps his spell at Queens for which will best be remembered. Not only did he help them to their best ever Scottish League finish, 4th in 1933-34, he helped keep them in the First Division subsequently. He played as they reached the Scottish Cup quarter finals and also knocked out Rangers in a giant killing. Fotheringham was also part of the 16 player squad for the 11 game 1936 tour and invitational tournament in Algiers. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Racing Santander in the Final.

In one game for Queens away to Arbroath Fotheringham accidentally left behind his false teeth at the ground. His choppers were returned to him via a fish delivery lorry!! In his last season at Queens he shared goalkeeping duties with none other than Reuben Bennett who would famously become part of Bill Shankly’s boot room at Anfield. Fotheringham retired in 1937 and later on scouted for Queens bringing George ‘Chopper’ Dickson to Dumfries.

In 1942 he returned to Paisley to manage St Mirren and he steered them to winning the Summer Cup the following year against Rangers. While at Love Street he introduced Jimmy Cowan and Willie Telfer into the senior grade. Due to ill health he left The Saints in 1945, soon becoming Cowdenbeath’s manager. Five years later he took over the reins at another of his former clubs, Airdrieonians. His stewardship at Broomfield terminated in 1954 following the club being relegated.