Willie McCulloch began his footballing career at Carmuirs Park, Camelon joining “The Mariners” in 1966/67.

Willie was capped by Scotland Juniors v. Ireland on 26th October, 1968.

Willie McCulloch joined Alloa Athletic at start of Season 1969-70 from Camelon Juniors signed by Duncan McCallum, but also played under Ian Crawford and Dan McLindon.

Willie made his debut for “The Wasps” on 20th August, 1969 v. Brechin City at the Recs in the League Cup, the game ended 2-0 victory with Alloa goals scored by Joe McCallan & John Muir. On the 11th October, 1969, Willie scored his first goal for “The Wasps” v. Albion Rovers in the league at home in a 1-0 victory. On the 6th December, 1969 Willie scored his first Scottish Cup goal v. Peterhead in 3-0 victory. Sadly, in the next round Alloa Athletic and Willie McCulloch were to suffer one of their worst ever results losing 1-0 to Tarff Rovers from Kirkcowan in Wigtonshire who played in the Southern Counties FA. My own recollection of the match, “When we arrived at Balgreen Park, I couldn’t believe my eyes such were the playing conditions and surface which had just been rolled by the local farmer using his tractor. Alloa should have been out of sight with the chances missed but as we all know in football it is goals that count. Into the closing minutes with a replay looking certain the referee awarded the home side a dubious looking penalty and McKnight scored from the spot past Stewart Burgess in the Alloa goal. This was an embarrassing defeat and for Tarff Rovers their biggest victory in their footballing history, sadly the club folded in 2003 and are now defunct.”

The following season 1970/71 Alloa Athletic and Willie McCulloch were again to suffer in the Scottish Cup, drawn against full-time Airdrieonians at Broomfield. Airdrie were huge favourites but “The Wasps” put up the fight of their lives, striker Joe McCallan putting them ahead and with time running out the home side were awarded another corner kick and their captain Sam Goodwin headed home a late equaliser in time added on, which was cruel. The replay was on Tuesday 26th January, 1971 three days later and played in

the early afternoon due to Alloa Athletic not having floodlights, floodlights were not installed until Season 1979-80 at recreation Park, the 2nd last professional ground in Scotland to install floodlights just before Stranraer. Airdrie were too strong in the replay and won 2-0, their stars on the day were – Drew Busby, Drew Jarvie, and Derek Whiteford and Sam Goodwin scoring the goals.Little did Willie McCulloch know he would move to Airdrie on 25th October, 1973, his last appearance for “The Wasps” was on 13th October, 1973 at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers in the league, unfortunately losing 3-2.

Willie McCulloch made 172 appearances scoring 30 goals in his time at Recreation Park.

He moved to Airdrie who was recently inducted into their best ever XI. Ian McMillan took him to Broomfield from Alloa for £ 5,000 which he claimed to be one of his best transfer deals. He played against Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final and one of his favourite games was the Spring Cup final in 1976 against Clydebank winning 4-2 and scoring two goals in the final, however my best memory of Willie McCulloch for Airdrie was the last game of the 1974-75 season when Rangers were parading them winning the first Premier League title only for Willie McCulloch to score the only goal of the game and spoil the All at our club are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Milton legend Wullie McCulloch. A accident at his work was to sideline him and sadly was never quite the same player, but still had plenty of drive and love for the game. Willie signed for Berwick Rangers in Season 1981/82 by Frank Connor but his game time started to be less frequent. In 1982/83 he was to join Cowdebeath and the following season took over as manager at Central Park.

After having a fantastic football career of his own, playing professionally for Alloa, Airdrie & Berwick Rangers, he continued to pass on his experience and make his mark in the Amateur game, managing Bannockburn Amateurs to victory in the Scottish Amateur Cup final on two occasions, season 1986/87 Bannockburn Amateurs defeated Motherwell Miners 2-0 and again in Season 1990-91 Bannockburn Amateurs defeated Blantyre Thistle 3-1.

Willie joined Milton in 1993, He never looked back and led Milton to Hampden in the Scottish Cup final in 1997 against Knockentiber but lost 2-1. Willie however was a born winner and he helped when Milton moved to Bluebell Wood Park, where they still play their home matches.

Formed in 1983 the Caledonian League was to set up a league for the top Amateur clubs across Central Scotland, and Willie was to add the Caledonian League “A” Division title in 1999.

Willie recognised the changing Face of Grassroots Football and in 2004 he set up Milton Soccer School which undoubtedly has shaped the Milton pathway in place today, gaining the club SFA platinum Quality Mark Status.

All our thoughts are with Morag and all of Willie’s family at this sad time.