Willie Findlay, 79, was a former Rangers and Albion Rovers player. A tall, rangy inside forward of slight build, a keen and persistent penalty-box operator, and very much a poacher of goals, Findlay holds a Scottish Cup goalscoring record that has stood for more than half a century. In 1950, playing for Rangers against East Fife, he netted with a flying header from an Eddie Rutherford cross in 26 seconds - the quickest goal ever scored in a Scottish Cup final.
Born in Motherwell, Willie played for the local Dalzell steelworks team while an apprentice before signing for Albion Rovers. His play at Cliftonhill made an impression on the then Rangers manager, Bill Struth, for in April 1947 a #7500 transfer fee took him to Ibrox. Such a
figure at that time was regarded as record-breaking.
Although far from a physical player, and by no means the fastest, Findlay was fearless in the challenge and served his wingers well. The son of a
former Motherwell goalkeeper, Willie inherited the nickname of ''Banana'' from his father - derived from his occupation of selling fruit and vegetables from a barrow in the steel town.
A Ranger for seven years, Willie played a total of 129 competitive games, with a healthy goalscoring tally of 76. He marked his Ibrox debut with two goals in a League Cup tie with Third Lanark before 20,000 spectators on September 6, 1947, in a 3-0 home win. Before the month was out, he had found the net in his Old Firm debut (a 2-0 win) and helped Rangers to a Glasgow Cup success over Third Lanark, again scoring in a 4-1
triumph at Hampden before a 47,000 crowd. That gives some indication of the importance of the competition in the immediate post-war era.
For older Rangers followers, memories of ''Banana'' Findlay revolve around his cup-final goal and of nine goals in 14 games against Celtic, including a 30-yard winner at Parkhead on August 21, 1948. Many to this day can recall a winter's afternoon at Tynecastle when 47,600 spectators packed the Gorgie ground to witness a vital championship clash on a bitterly cold day of snow and ice. Late in the proceedings Hearts led 2-0, when Willie scored twice in three minutes - the second and equalising goal coming as he lay flat on his back facing away from the target, flicking the ball over his head into the net.
Season 1949-50 was unquestionably Willie Findlay's finest in the blue of Rangers. He gained League Championship and Scottish Cup winners' medals, to which can be added two Glasgow Cups and one Charity Cup.
Willie Findlay returned to his first senior club, Albion Rovers, on December 14, 1954. He was a great-grandfather when he died on January 6, following a long illness, and is survived by his wife, Jean.
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