East Fife and Clyde both lost a Cup Final hero this week when it was announced that Willie Finlay had passed away aged 88. The centre back picked up League Cup winners medals with the Fifers in 1948, 1950 and 1954 as well as being a B Division Championship winner in 1948 during his decade at the club.
Finlay joined the Bully Wee in 1956 and he was a Scottish Cup winner in 1958 as well as a Division 2 League winner the season before.
A Fifers spokesperson said: “We are saddened to hear of the recent death of Willie. He was one of the best uncapped centre halves of his time and was the last remaining survivor of the League Cup winning team of the Fifties.”
Clyde Programme Editor John Taylor said: “Willie was with Clyde between 1956 and 1963 which was a great era to be a Clyde player. He played in two League Cup semi-finals, two Glasgow Cup Finals, two Glasgow Charity Cup Finals and two Scottish Cup semi-finals.”
“Of those Scottish Cup semi-finals, the victory over Motherwell in 1958 paved the way for the club's third Scottish Cup win where Willie played as centre half in a 1-0 win over Hibs.”
Finlay ended his player career with a season at Raith Rovers before heading to Lochore Welfare to become their manager.
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