Yuill Duncan Image 2 Millwall 1938

Description

Old Kirkpatrick, Dunbartonshire born goalkeeper Duncan Yuill began his football career with Clydebank Juniors in 1921 before joining Scottish League St Mirren in March 1923, for whom he made 7 appearances. After a spell on loan at Clydebank in early 1925, he joined Dumbarton in the 1926 close season and was The Sons’ regular goalkeeper for the next two seasons, making 64 appearances and attracting the attention of Glasgow Rangers, who signed him in January 1928.

He made his debut for The Gers the same month in a Scottish Cup tie at East Stirlingshire, which Rangers won 6-0, and played in four further matches for them during January and February, but he was soon displaced by Rangers’ regular goalkeeper Tom Hamilton, and he was signed by Aberdeen in July 1928. He made 78 appearances for Aberdeen over the following two seasons, before being signed by Second Division Millwall in the summer of 1930.

He made his Football League debut against Reading that September, and played for Millwall throughout the 1930’s. Initially Yuill held the gloves before losing his place in January 1931 in favour of former Newcastle goalkeeper Willie Wilson, who remained ever present for the rest of the season and during the 1931-32 and 1932-33 seasons. Yuill remained as understudy keeper and first got back into the side in November 1933, becoming the first choice keeper from March 1934, playing 13 games in the run in which ended in Millwall’s relegation.

After their relegation he was an ever present in 1934-35 and their undisputed number one through to the end of 1937-38, and he played in their 1937 FA Cup semi final team which lost to eventual winners Sunderland 2-1 at Leeds Road, Huddersfield. He had played against First Division Chelsea in the fourth round when Millwall produced a stunning 3-0 Cup upset, but missed their wins over Derby County and Manchester City through injury. In 1937-38 he played 22 games as Millwall won the Third Division (South) Championship, but the following season he initially lost his place to Harold Pearson and only came into the team from February 1938, playing for most of the rest of the season.

His Millwall career was ended by the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, by when he had made 211 appearances for The Lions, and he returned to Scotland to re-join Dumbarton, making 23 further appearances for them in 1939-40 before retiring.