Leitch, William

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Fullname: William Smith Leitch
aka: William Leitch, Willie Leitch
Born: 14 Feb 1901
Died: […]
Birthplace: Saltcoats
Signed: 15 Sep 1923
Left: 3 June 1926 (Kilmarnock)
Position: Outside-Right
Debut: Queen’s Park 0-2 Celtic, Charity Cup, 6 May 1924
Internationals: none

Biog

An outside-right, William Leitch spent the best part of three seasons at Celtic Park after signing from Saltcoats Victoria in September 1923. Prior to that, he was a caulker in Ardrossan Shipyards.

After spells on loan and in the reserves his first team debut came in a 2-0 Charity Cup victory over Queen’s Park at Hampden on 6th May 1924 and the Ayrshire man bagged a debut goal. He went on to play just two league games that season, 3-1 victory over Cowdenbeath & 2-1 defeat to Partick Thistle.

He was used mostly as cover as a lack of pace was viewed as Willie Leitch’s major weakness, but he was a solid player whose time at Parkhead was interspersed with regular loan appearances at other clubs.

“Clever but not ripe” it was said on him.

He had to wait until January 1926 for his next chance in the first team, in a 4-1 win over Queen’s Park.

Despite having hardly played for Celtic, he got lucky when pulled into the first team again in April 1926, when he played in place of Tommy McInally then Adam McLean (injured). For the league, it gave him three matches for the season, a notable one as it was to be a league title winning season, Celtic’s last for ten years in an era that Rangers were to dominate.

It meant that he was surprisingly brought in for the Scottish Cup final v St Mirren in April 1926. It was a header from a Leitch cross that helped created the scramble for a near goal. Willie Leitch crossed the ball for McGrory to ram the inside of the post with a header and it took the St Mirren keeper three attempts to get the ball clear. Celtic still lost the game 2-0, and disappointingly lost the chance of a coveted league & Scottish Cup double.

Despite the disappointment in the final, he went on to score in his next game which was to be his only league goal for Celtic and also was his final game, signing off in a 3-1 victory over Hamilton in the league.

He made a total of six first team appearances – including the 1926 Scottish Cup final – and left Parkhead for Kilmarnock in June 1926. He was to at least be able to look back proudly at having played his part for Celtic in a title winning side. It was a dominant season for Celtic, winning the league by 8pts ahead of Airdrie, and undefeated at home.

Pace was said to be possibly a problem: “Once he is speeded-up he ought to do well“.

He left Kilmarnock on a free a year later, and went on to play with various junior sides, including Saltcoats Victoria, Irvine Meadow and Ardeer Recreation.

After Adrossan he worked with explosives at Ardeer.

His career continued in the game, or as he was to put it wonderfully himself: “I’m kinda fond o’ fitba’“.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

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