William McMillan (footballer, born 1872)

William McMillan (16 July 1872 – 1929)[1] was a Scottish professional footballer who played at half-back for Heart of Midlothian and Southampton in the 1890s.

William McMillan
Personal information
Full name William McMillan
Date of birth (1872-07-15)15 July 1872
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death 1929 (aged 56–57)
Place of death Shotts, Scotland
Position(s) Half-back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1894–1895 Dykehead
1895–1896 Heart of Midlothian 0 (0)
1896–1898 Southampton 31 (3)
1898–1900 Burnley 3 (0)
1900–1901 St Mirren 2 (0)
1901–1902 Kilbarchan
1902–1904 Arthurlie
1904 Morton 0 (0)
1904–1905 Arthurlie
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

Early career

McMillan was born in Glasgow, Scotland but started his professional career in Edinburgh with Heart of Midlothian.[2] During his time at "Hearts", the club were Scottish Football League First Division champions in 1894–95 and won the Scottish Cup in the following year. By the time the Cup Final was played, however, McMillan had moved to southern England to join Southampton of the Southern League.

Southampton

McMillan made the move south in March 1896, and made his debut for the "Saints" at the Antelope Ground on 21 March, taking the place of Ernie Taylor in a 2–0 victory over eventual champions, Millwall Athletic.[3] McMillan retained his place at right-half for the following season and along with Robert Buchanan, George Clawley and Jack Farrell was ever-present in both the League and FA Cup. McMillan was nicknamed "Punt" for his expert kicking talent and ability to clear the ball upfield.[2]

At the end of McMillan's first full season, Southampton, now playing at the County Ground, took the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years. He also helped Southampton reach the second round proper of the FA Cup for the first time, where they went out to Newton Heath after a replay.[4]

For the 1897–98 season, the Saints strengthened their side with several new signings. McMillan lost his regular place in the side to Samuel Meston who had moved forward to accommodate new signing Tom Nicol at right-back. McMillan made only seven appearances, including one at inside-left when he scored twice (against Northfleet on 11 April),[5] before leaving the club in the summer of 1898.[2]

Later career

He subsequently made three appearances for Burnley[6] before returning to Scotland where he played a few matches for St Mirren and Morton before retiring.[1]

Honours
Southampton

References
  1. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan; Bull, David (2013). All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC. Southampton: Hagiology Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-9926-8640-6.
  2. Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. p. 231. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  3. Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 18–19. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.
  4. Saints – A complete record. pp. 20–21.
  5. Saints – A complete record. pp. 22–23.
  6. Joyce, Michael A. (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. p. 173. ISBN 978-1899468638.
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