RIP Willie Stevenson

[Maharajkumar of Vizianagram]

He has died at the age of 85.

Shanks brought him in from Rangers for £20,000 at the age of 22 after he lost his place in the Rangers side to the great Jim Baxter.  A left-half, he was one of the mainstays of the Shankly era, missing only 9 games in his first four full seasons.  His medal collection at Liverpool included first division titles in 63-64 and 65-66 and he was also part of the famous FA Cup win in 64-65.

From what I remember of Ian St Johns's autobiography, he was one of the bachelors in the team with more disposable income than the guys who had families, and he became known for his beautifully tailored suits.  He also said that he was known within the club as Bill Stevenson but for some reason the name "Willie Stevenson" took off externally.

According to Wiki, the arrival of a 19 year old Emlyn Hughes saw him replaced in the team in 67-68 and he was moved on to Stoke City at the end of the season.

He also played for Tranmere Rovers, Vancouver Whitecaps, Limerick and Macclesfield Town

Edited May 28 by Maharajkumar of Vizianagram

[smithdown]

He was great in that documentary they did about 65 when they took the players up to Woolton cinema to watch the game.  

[takanohana]

Finished Red or Dead the other day. This bit made me chuckle. RIP Willie.

Willie put out his cigar, Willie finished his cognac. And then Willie followed Bill Shankly, Eric Sawyer and Sidney Reakes out of the bar and into the street to the car.

Willie Stevenson looked at the Rolls-Royce. Willie whistled. Willie looked at Bill Shankly. And Willie said, This is a very nice car, Mr Shankly. I've never been in a Rolls-Royce before.

Really, said Bill Shankly. This is the first time you've ever been in a Rolls-Royce? Well, I am surprised, Billy. I must say, I am very surprised. A man of your style, a man of your taste. But I suppose we do get a wee bit blasé down in Liverpool. I mean, riding around in our Rolls-Royces all day. Perhaps we do get a wee bit blasé, Billy.

You mean you've got more? More than one?

Oh aye, said Bill Shankly. I've got ten Rolls-Royces down in Liverpool, Billy. And I've a mind to buy another. I'm always on the look out for another Rolls-Royce, Billy.

 

 

 

 

[Cobs]

i have his autograph

 

true story

[Murphman]

38 minutes ago, Cobs said:

i have his autograph

 

true story

Bill or Willy?

[Cobs]

10 minutes ago, Murphman said:

Bill or Willy?

Willie

[Maharajkumar of Vizianagram]

1 hour ago, Murphman said:

Bill or Willy?

Too late to edit but I just had a look at that Ian St John autobiography and it was "Billy" they called him, not Bill, as reflected in that "Red or Dead" passage takanohana just posted above.   He might have signed it "Willie" because it was what the public called him. 

Also, that St John autobiography is a bloody good book everyone should read.  The old pros had much better stories than the guys who were around during the later, more professional era

Edited May 28 by Maharajkumar of Vizianagram

[dyl]

2 hours ago, smithdown said:

He was great in that documentary they did about 65 when they took the players up to Woolton cinema to watch the game.  

Lovely tribute smithdown