Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 12:00pm

Tullibody saddened by Willie Gillan"s passing

by Jamie MacDonald

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ONE of the best football strikers in the area 30 years ago has died suddenly at home in Tullibody on Friday aged 60.

Willie Gillan, for years a Tullibody resident and one of the large mining fraternity in the village, showed great talent when a youngster. His signing by Dunpace Juniors came as no surprise for he was an intelligent front-man with considerably good style.

When he left the Central Junior League combine Willie joined Sauchie FC then was quick to give his services to Tullibody FC in the 1969 Tullibody Sunday team but later put in some sterling work with the Tullibody Amateur side which was formed by himself, Johnny Morrison and Rab Samson.

Bobby Paterson joined the club to take them to a fair measure of success with Willie continuing on the committee, in his customary dedicated fashion.

The team at that time inluded good players like Stuart Moncrieff, Derek Brown, Ian (Winker) Watson, Bill Struthers, Jim Matchett, George Hynd, Archie Peddie, Jamie Bryce and Rab Bonar.

Much later Willie took up bowling with the same enthusiasm and as usual, was enjoyable company.

Brought up in Plains Lanarkshire Willie came to this area, working in Tillicoultry as a textile machinist then the mines since he was 16 at Bogside, Castlehill and Castlebidge, where he retired at 53.

His unexpected death has saddened many for he was a good man, kind and considerate. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Eleanor, daughter Linda, sons Gary, David and Stuart and their families..

The funeral was due to take place this week at St. Bernadette"s RC Church then to Tullibody Cemetery.