Billy Abercromby Explained

Billy Abercromby
Full Name:William Abercromby
Birth Date:14 September 1958
Birth Place:Paisley, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1975–1976
Youthclubs1:St Mirren
Years1:1976–1988
Clubs1:St Mirren
Caps1:288
Goals1:15
Years2:1988–1989
Clubs2:Partick Thistle
Caps2:10
Goals2:0
Years3:1989–1990
Clubs3:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Years4:1990
Clubs4:Cowdenbeath
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:1990–1991
Clubs5:East Stirlingshire
Caps5:5
Goals5:0
Totalcaps:316
Totalgoals:15

William Abercromby (14 September 1958 – June 2024) was a Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder.

Abercromby came through the youth ranks at St Mirren and signed a full professional contract in 1975.[1] A year later he experienced his first involvement with the first team squad when Sir Alex Ferguson called him into the squad to tour the West Indies.

On 29 October 1986, Abercromby was sent off for three red card offences, one for foul play and two counts of dissent during a match against Motherwell at Love Street. As a result, he was banned for twelve matches. He won the 1987 Scottish Cup when St Mirren beat Dundee United 1–0 in the final. During the 1980s, Billy was involved in all four of St Mirren's forays into European competition, playing in nine of the club's 14 matches, more than any other Saints player.

He was transferred to Partick Thistle in 1988.

Abercromby battled with severe alcoholism when his playing days ended with his experiences and subsequent recovery being detailed in his biography Aber's Gonnae Get Ye.

Abercromby was one of the ex-players involved in the after-match parade following St Mirren's last game at the Love Street (stadium) on 3 January 2009.

Abercromby's death was announced on 18 June 2024. He was 65.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andrew Newport. Aber: My day of reckoning . Icrenfrewshire.icnetwork.co.uk . 9 June 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120216070246/http://icrenfrewshire.icnetwork.co.uk/lifestyle/tm_headline%3Daber-my-day-of-reckoning%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D23448738%26siteid%3D87085-name_page.html . 16 February 2012 .
  2. Web site: St Mirren legend Billy Abercromby dies aged 65. The National. David. Irvine. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024.