DEATH OF EVAN WILLIAMS, DUMBARTON MAN WHO PLAYED AT HIGHEST LEVEL OF THE GAME

February 21, 2025

Dumbarton man Evan Williams, who has died aged 81, was no ordinary goalkeeper.

Evan was man of the match in the 1970 European Cup final and the Celtic goalkeeper is pictured above embracing Rinus Israel of Feyenoord after the match in Milan which Celtic lost 2-1.

Only the finest exponents of the beautiful game can boast to have taken part in a European Cup Final, a trophy which Celtic won in 1967.

But Evan Williams was not renown for boasting. He was a quiet man. His fellow custodian Roddy MacKenzie, of Airdieonians, who was reared in the same West End housing estate, was one of the first people to pay tribute to him.

Roddy said: “Evan and I were brought up 100 – 200 metres apart in Castlehill, Dumbarton. Our football careers started and finished around the same time also. He then moved to the States and I to Australia. RIP Evan, will miss you friend.”

Evan Williams in the Celtic squad in 1970. Back row (left to right) Jimmy Quinn, Bobby Murdoch, Tommy Callaghan, Jim Craig, Evan Williams, Billy McNeill, Denis Conaghan, George Connolly, David Hay, Vic Davidson and Pat McCluskey. Front row: Paul Wilson, Jimmy Johnstone, Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari, Bobby Lennox, Jim Brogan and Harry Hood.

Vale of Leven Football & Athletic Club tribute

The club was very sad to hear of the passing of our former goalkeeper and manager Evan Williams. After starting out as a teenager at the Vale in the early sixties Evan went on to play for Third Lanark, Wolves, Aston Villa and Clyde but it is his time at Celtic that he is best remembered. The largest part of his playing career was at Celtic, for whom he made 82 league appearances between 1969 and 1973. Evan played in the 1970 European Cup Final, which Celtic lost 2–1 to Feyenoord. Evan was named man of the match in the final even though on the losing team.

After retiring from the Senior game he rejoined his first club Vale of Leven as Manager in May 1976 on the same day current Secretary Angus Wallace became club Treasurer. During his 5 years in charge he guided the club to a league title in the 1978/79 season. He was a regular at the Millburn in recent seasons supporting the team and in particular his two grandsons, Leo and Evan. It was always a pleasure seeing him and listening to his many stories from the past, he will be sorely missed by all at the club.

Celtic Football Club tribute

Everyone at Celtic Football Club is saddened by the news that former goalkeeper Evan Williams has passed away at the age of 81.

Dumbarton-born Evan signed for Celtic in 1969 and would go on to make 148 appearances before parting company with the club in 1974.

He was a key player throughout a hugely successful time for the club, during which he won four league titles and two Scottish Cups. He was also in goal for the Hoops in the 1970 European Cup final against Feyenoord in Milan.

In his later years and after his retirement from football, Evan was a regular at Celtic Park on matchdays and he will be greatly missed by everyone around the club.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Evan’s friends and family at this sad time.

Glasgow Celtic Supporters tribute

Celtic goalkeeper Evan Williams, who has sadly died at the age of 81, was born in Dumbarton, played for the Hoops between 1969 and 1974. He was the goalie for their second European Cup final appearance. Rest in peace.

South Uist fan Murdo MacLellan said: “Evan was the first Celtic player I ever met, he came to South Uist to present medals to the winners of the Inter Schools Football League. Rest in peace Evan. I remember that well we had a disco in the hall and met him , a great event for our small island.

“Evan was man of the match in the 1970 European Cup final and the Celtic goalkeeper pictured above embracing Rinus Israel of Feyenoord after the match which Celtic lost 2-1.”

Only the finest exponents of the beautiful game can boast to have taken part in a European Cup Final, a trophy which Celtic won in 1967.

Murdo MacLellan added: “Evan was the first Celtic player I ever met, he came to South Uist to present medals to the winners of the Inter Schools Football League. Rest in peace Evan. I remember that well we had a disco in the hall and met him, a great event for our small island.”

Pamela Mcardle wrote: “One of the nicest men you could ever meet and he loved our town of Dumbarton, where he was born and raised. God bless you Evan Williams. One of Celtic’s great goalies.”

Seosamh Omonachain wrote: “Such sad news, I had a smashing evening in his company at the Vegas convention a few years back. He was great company and ever so humble; his stories were brilliant and he was such a gentleman, had a fantastic record against the oldco as well.”

Stein Connelly, a Dumbarton man who was named after the whole Celtic team of that era, said: “An absolute gentleman, sadly missed.”

And Margaret Edge wrote: “Rest in peace Evan,my condolences to your family.”

Hundreds of comments such as these have flooded into social media.

Evan Williams was a down to earth Dumbarton man. Son of Welshman Evan Williams and local woman Helen Hendrie who were wartime sweethearts, he was born here in 1943. He was affectionately known by Parkhead fans as “Nellie’s Bhoy”.

The couple had five children, John, Evan, Michael, Arthur, Gerard and Joan who were brought up in the West End of the town and went to local schools at Notre Dame convent school St Patrick’s at Castlehill, which had a reputation for producing quality footballers such as John O’Hare, a Renton man who won Scotland caps and European Cup medals.

Evan and his brothers were all good footballers and started out with St Michael’s Boys Guild and St Patrick’s playing on “The Rockies” at Castlehill.

Joe Davin, pictured right with Evan and ‘Solly O’Hare’ played for Hibernian and Dumbarton and Stevie Murray was a Dundee, Celtic and Aberdeen star.

Football icon Sir Alex Ferguson, of Rangers and Manchester United, who played for Govan High School, admitted in his autobiography that the only Scottish schools team they could never beat was St Patrick’s High School.

Evan was predeceased by his wife, Anna McLaughlin, a civil servant from Bonhill, and the couple had children and grandchildren.