2004 Inductees
Willie Woodburn 1919 - 2001
Football Player; Willie Woodburn was arguably the most gifted centre half ever to have worn the royal blue of Rangers. Born in Edinburgh in 1919 Woodburn signed for Rangers in 1937 from a local juvenile club. Commanding in the air and comfortable on the ground Woodburn was an assured player when in possession of the ball and his ability to find players with accurate passes meant that he could move with ease into midfield.
His passion and commitment to Rangers, in particular, and the game, in general, often landed him in trouble with the football authorities but there is no doubting his enormous talent. Winning was everything to Woodburn, losing was unthinkable. Willie’s talents were lost to the game on 14 September 1954 when he received a sine die ban. Although the ban was lifted in 1957 Willie never played in senior football again. He was capped 24 times with Scotland and with Rangers won the Scottish League four times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup twice.
Jim Baxter 1939 - 2001
Football Player; A Fife lad ‘Slim’ Jim Baxter was born in Hill of Beath in 1939. One of Scottish football’s greatest ball players Jim was quickly noticed playing junior football by Raith Rovers. His performances at Starks Park persuaded Rangers manager Scot Symon to pay a record Scottish transfer fee of £17,500 to bring him to Ibrox Park. Baxter became the star of the Rangers side of the early 1960s which dominated Scottish football. Such was his standing within football that he was selected for the Rest of the World Squad against England in the FA Centenary match of 1963.
A move into England followed and Baxter played with Sunderland and Nottingham Forest before returning north once more to end his career with Rangers. Baxter would win 34 caps for Scotland and with Rangers he won three Scottish League Championships, three Scottish Cups and four Scottish League Cups.
Baxter’s arrogant style on the field underlined a great belief in his own ability and he is perhaps best remembered for playing ‘keepie uppie’ at Wembley against World Champions England in 1967. In some respects Slim Jim was a wayward genius but there is no doubting also that in his prime he was a world class player. The greatest shame is that he bowed out of football too early.
Sir Alex Ferguson 1941 -
Football Manager; Raised under the shadow of the Govan shipyards Sir Alex Ferguson began senior football with Queen’s Park and enjoyed a largely successful playing career, most notably with Dunfermline Athletic. He will always be remembered, however, as a top class manager.
His managerial career began in 1974 with East Stirlingshire where an outstanding start quickly brought interest from St Mirren. Ferguson enjoyed a successful spell with the Paisley club taking them into the Premier Division before moving to Aberdeen in 1978. With ‘Fergie’ at the helm the ‘Dons’ smashed the domination of the Old Firm and conquered Europe, winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 and European Super Cup in 1984.
Ferguson took over as caretaker manager of Scotland for the 1986 World Cup Finals following the tragic death of Jock Stein. By the end of the year Manchester United had succeeded in bringing him to Old Trafford. A difficult opening spell in Manchester had to be endured but Ferguson persevered and the club went on to dominate English football for most of the 1990s. The European Cup Winners Cup was won in 1991 and in 1999 Manchester United lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy, Premiership trophy and FA Cup.
At the date of induction Sir Alex has won eight Premiership titles, five FA Cups and one League Cup to add to the three Premier Division titles, four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup won with Aberdeen.
Graeme Souness 1953 -
Football Player; Originating from Edinburgh Graeme Souness began his senior career as an apprentice at Tottenham Hotspur. He moved to Middlesbrough in January 1973 for £30,000 where his midfield performances helped the club win the Second Division Championship. Bob Paisley brought him to Liverpool in 1978 and he developed into a world class player at Anfield becoming one of the stars of the great Liverpool side which dominated European football.
A fierce tackler on the field Souness blended a committed approach with outstanding skill. His passing and shooting were a major strength of his game. With Scotland Souness was capped 54 times and in a memorable career with Liverpool he won the European Cup three times, the Football League five times and the League Cup three times before moving on to Sampdoria. Graeme returned to Britain as player manager of Rangers and helped to inspire the Glasgow club’s domination of Scottish football. Rangers would win three Scottish League titles and four Scottish League Cups before the temptation of the manager’s post at Liverpool brought Souness back to Anfield. He went on to manage Galatasaray, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers. At the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame Graeme is the manager of Newcastle United.
John Greig 1942 -
Football Player; John Greig was born in Edinburgh on 11 September 1942. A one club man he became an inspirational captain with Rangers and Scotland during the 1960s and 1970s earning the accolade of being the greatest Rangers player of all time. Greig was a tremendous competitor who refused to give up on the field and his fighting qualities carried the Rangers team through the barren patch of 1966 to 1970. He was also a versatile player beginning his career as an inside forward but was perhaps at his best marshalling his team from the right side of midfield or at right back.
Greig first played with Rangers in the brilliant side of the early 1960s and remained a first team player right through to 1978 when he retired after an incredible 857 games. He was part of a treble winning side on no less than three occasions during his career.
At club level Greig won the Scottish League five times, the Scottish Cup six times and the Scottish League Cup three times. Having played in the European Cup Winners Cup final of 1967 he was captain when Rangers lifted the trophy in 1972. He was voted Scottish Player of the Year in 1966 and 1976 and was capped 44 times for Scotland. Greig stopped playing in order to become manager of Rangers in 1978 and has always remained close to the club.
Jock Stein 1922 - 1985
Football Manager; Jock was born in Burnbank, near Hamilton, and played football part time with Blantyre Victoria and Albion Rovers while working as a miner. He moved to Wales in order to play full time football and from the obscurity of Llanelli was brought to Celtic to provide cover for the first team. Incredibly he rose to captain the team to a League and Cup double in 1954. Greater things, however, lay in store for Stein.
Having retired through injury Jock initially coached the reserve side at Celtic Park before moving to Fife to become manager of Dunfermline Athletic. He saved the club from what seemed certain relegation in 1960 and spurred them on to Scottish Cup glory the following season. The ‘Pars’ became a force in the Scottish League qualifying for the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1962. Under Jock Dunfermline defeated Everton and lost narrowly to Spanish giants Valencia in a tie that went to a third match. Stein moved to Hibernian in 1964 but after just one season at Easter Road he was offered the managers post at Celtic.
The Parkhead club would enjoy unprecedented success during his time in charge winning 10 League titles, eight Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups. Jock became the first British manager to win the European Cup in 1967 and Celtic would reach the final once more in 1970. Having left Celtic Stein had a brief spell at Leeds United before taking on the Scotland job. He guided Scotland to two World Cup finals but his sudden death at Cardiff’s Ninian Park in 1985 shook the nation.
Bill Shankly 1913 - 1981
Football Manager; Bill Shankly was born in the Ayrshire village of Glenbuck where coal mining and football dominated the local community. Shankly followed in the foot steps of his four brothers by becoming a professional footballer and he won five caps for Scotland during his time at Preston North End.
Bill’s managerial career began at Carlisle United and he had spells with Grimsby Town, Workington and Huddersfield Town before landing the managers position at Liverpool in 1959. Liverpool were an underachieving club struggling to win promotion when Shankly arrived but he transformed the fortunes of the team and the Second Division title was secured in 1962. The Anfield club re-emerged as a leading club in English football in 1964 when the First Division Championship was won. The ‘Reds’ also became a force in Europe reaching the semi final of the European Cup in 1965, the final of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1966 and winning the UEFA Cup in 1973.
Shankly was one of Scottish football’s great personalities and was well known for his dry Ayrshire wit. He achieved cult status amongst the fans at Liverpool and ensured the long term success of the club by bringing together his ‘Boot Room’ team of coaches which included Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. As manager of Liverpool Bill won the First Division title three times and the FA Cup twice.
Billy McNeill 1940 -
Football Player; Celtic’s inspirational captain was born in the Lanarkshire town of Bellshill on 2 March 1940. McNeill made his debut for Celtic against Clyde in a 2-0 home victory in 1958. He went on to become captain of the team in 1963. A cool and composed defender McNeill was particularly good in the air and was an important attacking asset, scoring important goals for Celtic.
He became one of the key players in Celtic’s domination of Scottish football for most of the Jock Stein era at Celtic Park. McNeill headed one of the goals in Celtic’s 3-2 Scottish Cup Final victory over Dunfermline Athletic in 1965, the club’s first major trophy since 1957. A one club man McNeill played in 831 games for Celtic winning the Scottish League nine times, the Scottish Cup seven times and the Scottish League Cup six times. Under McNeill’s leadership Celtic became one of the top club sides in European football winning the European Cup in 1967 and reaching the final once more in 1970. With Scotland he was capped 29 times.
Billy was voted Scottish Football Player of the Year in 1965. On retiring from playing in 1975 he went into football management and had spells at Clyde, Aberdeen, Celtic (twice), Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Jimmy McGrory 1904 - 1982
Football Player; British football’s most prolific goal scorer was born in Glasgow on 26 April 1904. He signed for Celtic from junior outfit St Rochs in 1921. McGrory’s records are astonishing; he holds the overall goal scoring record for British football with a tally of 550, Scottish League goal scoring record with 410 goals in 408 appearances, the record number of goals scored in one senior League match (eight against Dunfermline Athletic in 1928), and the fastest hat-trick in Scottish League history against Motherwell in 1936 (inside three minutes).
McGrory was not the tallest of centre forwards but he was very robust and possessed a deadly shot. He was particularly good in the air and scored many goals from powerful headers. A determined competitor McGrory chased every ball and pressurised defences with his bustling style. Considering his prolific goal scoring achievements it is surprising that he only won 7 caps for Scotland.
With Celtic McGrory won the Scottish League twice and the Scottish Cup four times. He is accredited with starting the Hampden roar when his goal for Scotland against England eight minutes from time in 1933 sparked off the celebration amongst the 134,170 spectators. After retiring from playing football in 1937 McGrory went into management with Kilmarnock before moving to Celtic where he remained as manager for 20 years.
Danny McGrain 1950 -
Football Player; A native of Glasgow Danny had initially attracted the interest of Rangers before Celtic’s assistant manager Sean Fallon won his signature. He joined Celtic in 1967 becoming one of the club’s ‘Quality Street Kids’ and made his first team debut in 1970 coming on as a substitute against Dundee United at Tannadice. A competitive and reliable defender McGrain was also effective when pushing forward to support the attack and his overlapping runs became a trademark of Celtic’s style of play. He developed into a world class fullback despite experiencing serious setbacks which included a fractured skull, discovering he was diabetic and a career threatening ankle injury.
With Celtic winning the double in 1977 Danny was nominated for Scottish Player of the Year and he replaced the departing Kenny Dalglish as captain of the club. In a twenty year career spanning 657 competitive games McGrain won the Scottish League six times, the Scottish Cup five times and the Scottish League Cup twice. He was also capped 62 times for Scotland and played in the World Cup finals of 1974 and 1982.
Bobby Murdoch 1944 - 2001
Football Player; One of Celtic’s legendary ‘Lisbon Lions’ Bobby Murdoch was born in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, on 17 August 1944. Although originally an inside forward Murdoch made his name as a creative midfielder who could control the midfield and score goals. A dependable player capable of turning out consistent performances Murdoch when fully fit was an integral figure in Jock Stein’s plans. His passing ability and link up play in particular were an important asset to Celtic during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Murdoch was honoured 12 times for Scotland and was voted Scottish Football Player of the Year in 1969. With Celtic he won the Scottish League eight times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup five times. He also played in both the 1967 and 1970 European Cup finals. By 1973, having won everything in the Scottish game, Murdoch was looking for a change and Middlesbrough quickly moved in for him. Manager Jack Charlton described him as the best passer in the Second Division and Murdoch along with a young Graeme Souness inspired Middlesbrough to the Second Division Championship in 1974.
Jimmy Johnstone 1944 - 2006
Football Player; Inspired by the great wing wizard Stanley Mathews Jimmy Johnstone dribbled a tennis ball round milk bottles as a young boy in his Viewpark home in Lanarkshire. At Celtic Park Johnstone went from ball boy to star player to ‘greatest Celt of all time’. His twists and turns mesmerised opponents and earned him the nickname ‘Jinky’. When Johnstone was on form few players could subdue his skills and the only option for many tormented defenders was to kick him out of the game. With a fiery temperament Johnstone was often a handful for Celtic manager Jock Stein.
Jinky scored 129 goals in 515 competitive games for Celtic and won the Scottish League nine times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup five times. He was a thorn in the flesh of Internazionale in 1967 when Celtic lifted the European Cup and he also played well against Feyenoord in the final of 1970. Jinky put in world class performances against Real Madrid in the di Stefano testimonial match of 1967 and against Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup tie at Celtic Park in 1968. He won 23 caps playing for Scotland and had an important part to play in Scotland’s 2-0 victory over England in 1974.
Sir Matt Busby 1909 - 1994
Football Manager; Sir Matt Busby was born in Orbiston, Lanarkshire, on 26 May 1909. From the junior ranks of Denny Hibernian Matt was invited down to Manchester City. Although he struggled initially at Maine Road Busby was switched from inside forward to wing half and never looked back. An FA Cup winners medal, a full cap for Scotland and seven wartime international appearances were just rewards for a distinguished playing career.
At the end of the Second World War Busby turned down a coaching position with Liverpool to take on the almost thankless task of managing Manchester United. Old Trafford had been badly damaged by enemy bombs and early matches were played at Maine Road. Busby quickly transformed the fortunes of the club bringing the FA Cup to Manchester in 1948 and the club were runners up in the League in successive years from 1947 to 1949. He also established a successful youth system which ensured that the FA Youth Cup was won five years in a row between 1953 and 1957.
The talented young players became known as the Busby Babes and they were on the verge of conquering Europe before tragedy struck. The plane crash in Munich killed eight members of the team and almost claimed the life of Busby himself but he returned to build a second great team. In 1968 Manchester United lifted the European Cup after a thrilling match with Benfica. Under Busby the club also won the League championship five times and the FA Cup twice.
Billy Bremner 1942 - 1997
Football Player; Billy Bremner left school in his home town of Stirling to sign for Leeds United in 1959. Small in stature with red hair Bremner had the heart of a lion and was a born winner. He made his first team debut on 20 January 1960 at the age of 17 in a 3-1 win over Chelsea. A fierce competitor Bremner was often at the heart of play in the midfield challenging for control of the ball and driving his team forward. He also had an abundance of skill to match his competitive spirit.
Bremner’s determination and leadership on the field earned him the captaincy of Leeds United and Scotland, and he led his country to the 1974 World Cup finals. During his time at Elland Road Leeds United went from the mediocrity of the Second Division to become one of the top clubs in English football. Bremner won the Second Division in 1964, the First Division in 1969 and 1974, the FA Cup in 1972 and the League Cup in 1968. He also reached the final of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup three times winning the trophy in 1968 and 1971 and was a European Cup finalist in 1975. In 1971 Bremner was voted the Football Writers Association Player of the Year. His importance to Leeds United is expressed in the form of a statue which stands outside Elland Road while his importance to Scotland is reflected in his haul of 54 caps.
Dave MacKay 1934 -
Football Player; Hailing from Edinburgh Dave was signed by Hearts in 1952 after Hibernian manager Hugh Shaw had offered him a trial at Easter Road. An exceptional player, aggressive, determined and blessed with skill MacKay quickly established himself as a star player at Tynecastle. He led Hearts to glory winning the Scottish Cup in 1956, the Scottish League in 1958, and the Scottish League Cup in 1954 and 1958.
MacKay’s performances brought interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Bill Nicholson secured his services in 1959. Dave was a key player in Tottenham’s double winning year and he also enjoyed success in Europe winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963. With ‘Spurs’ MacKay won the League in 1961 and the FA Cup in 1961, 1962 and 1967.
Dave was voted Scottish Player of the Year in 1958 and joint Football Writers Player of the Year in 1969. He was capped 22 times for Scotland and would have won more honours had injury not interfered with his career. His determination as a player is best summed up by the fact that he successfully recovered from a broken leg twice.
As his career began to wind down MacKay moved to Derby County winning the Second Division title in 1969. He also enjoyed a career in football management winning the First Division with Derby in 1975.
Denis Law 1940 -
Football Player; One of the games greatest goal scorers Denis Law was born in Aberdeen on 24 February 1940. The ‘Law Man’ had a glittering career at club and international level starting off at Huddersfield Town under Andy Beattie and later Bill Shankly. Manchester City paid a British record transfer fee of £55,000 for Denis in 1960 and one year later Law became the first player in Britain to be sold for a six figure sum when Torino signed him for £100,000. The trip to Italy never worked out and Matt Busby paid a then British record fee of £115,000 to bring Law to Old Trafford where the best years of his career would be spent.
Law was Scotland’s youngest post Second World War internationalist and he went on to win 55 caps scoring 30 goals in the process. When a Rest of the World team was chosen by FIFA to play England in 1963 Law was one of two Scots in the squad and he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1964. With Manchester United Denis won the Football League in 1965 and 1967 and the FA Cup in 1963. He returned to Manchester City in 1973 for one season and retired after playing for Scotland in the 1974 World Cup finals. In 2002 a statue of Denis Law was unveiled at the Stretford end of Old Trafford as a permanent commemoration to the man known simply as ‘The King’.
Gordon Smith 1924 - 2004
Football Player; The Edinburgh born wing forward must rate as one of Scotland’s greatest natural football talents. A member of the Hibernian ‘Famous Five’ forward line of the late 1940s and 1950s Smith thrilled the Easter Road crowds for 18 years with his mastery of ball control and passing. For an outside forward Smith could also score goals and he achieved more than 300 in his long and distinguished career in senior football.
Gordon is the only player to have won Scottish League Championship medals with three different clubs. He won the Scottish League five times in total; three with Hibernian, one with Hearts and one with Dundee. Smith also won the Scottish League Cup during his spell with Hearts. Incredibly he played in two European Cup semi finals; one with Hibernian in 1956 and one with Dundee in 1963. He won 18 caps playing for Scotland and in 1951 was voted Scottish Player of the Year. Smith, like Dave MacKay, had to battle back from serious injury and suffered two leg breaks during his career.
Willie Miller 1955 -
Football Player; Although born and raised in Glasgow Willie Miller is more famously associated with the city of Aberdeen. Miller started off playing as a striker and even had a short spell as a goalkeeper before finding his best position in the centre of defence. He made his debut with Aberdeen on 28 April 1973 and became captain of the club in 1975. His outstanding performances brought widespread interest but Willie remained loyal to Aberdeen.
A composed and consistent defender Miller was a natural leader on the field and he went on to win 65 caps for Scotland often partnering Alex McLeish, his Aberdeen team mate, in the centre of the Scotland defence. Miller was Alex Ferguson’s general on the football field and his organisation of the players around him was as important to the Aberdeen cause as his well timed tackles and accurate distribution of the ball. With Aberdeen Miller won the Scottish Premier Division three times, the Scottish Cup four times, and the Scottish League Cup once.
His greatest achievement was to captain Aberdeen to victory in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup and the European Super Cup in 1984. Willie went into football management and media work on retiring as a player. At the date of induction he is currently Director of Football with Aberdeen.
Hughie Gallacher 1903 - 1957
Football Player; A ‘Wembley Wizard’ in 1928 Hughie was regarded by many of his contemporaries as being the best centre forward of all time. Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Hughie first played at senior level with Queen of the South but he quickly moved on to Airdrieonians where he won the Scottish Cup in 1924 and scored 91 goals in 111 games. Newcastle United soon came calling and Gallacher moved to Tyneside for £6,500 in 1925 where his vital goals quickly made him the idol of the fans.
Hughie captained Newcastle to their League Championship title in 1927 scoring an impressive 39 goals in 41 games for the season. At only 5 ft 5 ins Gallacher was small in stature but he was quick and elusive with an explosive shot. A master at taking chances Gallacher was also good at shielding the ball in order to bring other players into the game. After five years with Newcastle and a formidable 143 goals in 174 games Gallacher moved to Chelsea in 1930 for £10,000 and quickly established himself as a cult figure amongst the Stamford Bridge fans. At international level Gallacher was also prolific scoring 23 goals in 20 internationals, including a Scottish record of five goals in one game against Northern Ireland. His tragic demise at the age of 54 was a sad ending to one of Scottish football’s greatest forwards. Hughie’s career total in senior football is 463 goals from 624 matches.
Kenny Dalglish 1951 -
Football Player; Scottish International football’s greatest servant was born on 4 March 1951. Kenny signed for Celtic in 1967 making his first team debut against Hamilton Academical the following year. By 1971 Dalglish had established himself in the first team and he became captain of the club in 1975 with the retirement of Billy McNeill. During his time at Celtic Park Dalglish won the Scottish League four times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup once. A brilliant instinctive striker Kenny was lethal inside the eighteen yard box but he was also determined and unselfish as a player.
Bob Paisley brought Dalglish to Liverpool in 1977 as a replacement for Kevin Keegan who had departed for Hamburg. The fee was a then British record of £440,000 but Liverpool got a bargain as Dalglish helped the ‘Reds’ to conquer Europe three times between 1978 and 1984. ‘King Kenny’ also won the Football League six times, the FA Cup once and the League Cup four times. He was English Sports Writers Player of the Year in 1979 and is the only player to score more than 100 league goals in both Scotland and England. As player manager he guided Liverpool to the double in 1986. An outstanding servant to Scotland Dalglish won a record 102 caps, scoring 30 times, and featured in three World Cup finals. As well as Liverpool Kenny has managed Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and Celtic, and currently works within the media.
Tables are available to book at a cost of £1100 + VAT for a table of 10. Individual tickets are also available for this event.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available from £7500 (which includes a table of 10 at the event).
Please contact the sales team by calling 0141 309 1438 or download the booking form here
