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DEATH OF FORMER CELTIC GOALKEEPER EVAN WILLIAMS, AGED 81

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Evan Williams (centre) with former pupils of St Patrick’s High School, Joe Davin, left, who played for Hibernian and Dumbarton, and Scotland internationalist and European Cup winners’ medallist John O’Hare, of Nottingham Forest and Derby County.

By Hugh Jordan

It’s with great sadness I report the death of my friend Evan Williams, the former Celtic goalkeeper. He passed away in Helensburgh earlier today, aged 81.
As schoolboys, Evan and I both played football for St.Patrick’s, Dumbarton, although he was a few years older. Not a lot of people know this, but Evan was capped as a schoolboy international playing outfield, which he did at every opportunity.
He would have been well suited to the modern game. Evan signed for Celtic after a stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers and he soon became Jock Stein’s most trusted keeper.
He gave a great performance in the 1972 European Cup Final when Celtic lost 2-1 to Feyenoord and afterwards, Dutch superstar Wim Van Hannigan handed Evan his jersey, which he treasured.
Forty years ago in July, I accidentally broke my arm, but hadn’t realised until I woke up in agony at 3.00am.
Unable to move, I rang Evan who was working as a taxi driver. He came straight over, helped me get dressed and took me to hospital.
Evan’s dad was Welsh and although I didn’t know him, I knew his mum Nellie very well. She was very proud of Evan and so was I.
I fondly remember great European nights at Celtic Park when he provided a safe pair of hands between the posts.
More on this later …
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