McGhie: William Lambert (Billy)

1976-1979 (Player Details)

Forward

Born: Lanark: 19-01-1958

Debut: v Ipswich Town (h): 16-04-1977

5’9” 11st 8lb (1977)

From the age of four he lived in Doncaster and, after being signed by Don Revie as an apprentice in April 1974, worked his way through the Leeds Junior ranks before signing professional forms in January 1976. He was capped by Scotland at Youth level. McGhie became a regular in the 1975-76 Reserve team but a broke leg in a Central League match sidelined him for much of the 1976-77 season, just as he was pressing for first team recognition. But the chance did arise after his recovery, and as he was preparing to travel to Bury for a Reserve game, he received his first-team call-up at outside left and went on to score after nineteen minutes of his debut game against Ipswich Town in a 2-1 victory at Elland Road on 16th April 1977. A fortnight later he was at inside right for the home game with Bristol City and again got a winning bonus as United won 2-0. It was his last game for the first team, although he remained a regular in the Reserve team in the 1978-79 season. However, after the arrival of Jimmy Adamson, he was never picked again for first team duties and despite remaining a regular for the Reserves, he left on a free transfer to York City in December 1979. He stayed at Bootham Crescent until his contract was cancelled in November 1981 after scoring once in thirty-nine starts and four substitute League appearances. He later moved to Denmark and played with B1903 Boldspilklub but got homesick and soon returned to England. He had an assortment of jobs ranging from roofing in Germany, agricultural labouring and working in a betting shop. His son, William, started on apprentice forms with Scunthorpe United but did not become a professional footballer.