Willie Young, the esteemed defender renowned for his time at both Aberdeen and Arsenal, has sadly passed away at the age of 73. His commanding presence on the pitch and his contributions to the game have left an indelible mark on football history.
Young's career spanned over a decade, during which he made more than 180 appearances for Aberdeen. He played a pivotal role in Arsenal's FA Cup triumph in 1979, a highlight of his illustrious career. His legacy is perhaps most vividly encapsulated by his infamous tackle on West Ham's Paul Allen during the 1980 FA Cup final. This incident not only secured his place in football lore but also prompted significant changes in the laws of the game, leading to the introduction of the "professional foul" rule. Arsenal reflected on his impact, stating, "Reliable, dominant in the air and fearless, his immense contribution to a successful period means he will always be remembered fondly by those who saw his colossal frame repelling attacks and causing havoc to opposition defences at set pieces." Read more about Crnac Undergoes Successful ACL Surgery as Norwich Struggles.
Born in Edinburgh and raised in the village of Heriot, Midlothian, Young began his professional career with Aberdeen in 1970. Over five productive years at Pittodrie, he established himself as a key player before transferring to Tottenham Hotspur in 1975. His move to Arsenal two years later, where he reunited with former manager Terry Neill, marked a significant chapter in his career. Standing at an impressive 6ft 3in, Young formed a formidable defensive partnership with David O'Leary, helping Arsenal reach three consecutive FA Cup finals from 1978 to 1980. His crowning achievement came in 1979 when he lifted the FA Cup after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester United, a match often dubbed the "five-minute final."
The incident involving Allen, however, left a lasting impact on the sport. With West Ham poised for a late winner, Young’s foul on the young striker resulted in a yellow card and sparked a nationwide debate over the need for clearer guidelines regarding professional fouls. The Football Association responded to this discourse just two years later by implementing automatic red cards for "denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity."
Despite his considerable success at the club level, Young's international career was marred by controversy. He was a member of the notorious "Copenhagen Five," a group of players who received lifetime bans from the Scottish national team following an altercation in a Danish nightclub. While some of his peers were later reinstated, Young never had the opportunity to represent Scotland in international competition.
Following his time at Arsenal, where he made a total of 237 appearances, Young transferred to Nottingham Forest in 1981 under the management of Brian Clough. He concluded his playing career in 1984, with shorter spells at Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Darlington, primarily due to injuries. Read more about Hughes Targets Redemption as Hull Face Norwich at Carrow Road.
The football community is now reflecting on the legacy of a true character and a significant figure in the histories of both Aberdeen and Arsenal. Willie Young's contributions to the sport, both on and off the pitch, will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.