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Iain Gillies

1935 – 2025

New Zealand football player

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About Iain Gillies

Lived 1935 – 2025 (aged 89). Iain Gillies was a New Zealand association football player.

John "Iain" Gillies (29 July 1935 – 16 April 2025) was an association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.

Gillies spent most of his childhood in Mallaig before his family moved to New Zealand in 1949. He attended Sacred Heart College in Auckland and played for North Shore United. He returned to Scotland in 1950 and played for Nairn County, spending three seasons there from the age of 15.

Gillies signed for Celtic for the 1955–56 season where he played a number of games for the reserves, but did not manage a first team appearance. He was released on a free transfer the following summer and joined Crewe Alexandra.

In 1959, Gillies returned to New Zealand and played for Eastern Union.

Gillies made a solitary official international appearance for New Zealand in a 4–0 loss to New Caledonia on 8 November 1967, which was his final appearance in professional association football.

Gillies died in Gisborne, New Zealand on 16 April 2025 at the age of 89 years. He was survived by his wife Flora and four generations of descendants.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
John Gillies

People in Iain Gillies's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Iain Gillies?

New Zealand football player

When was Iain Gillies born?

Iain Gillies was born on 29 July 1935 in Mallaig.

When did Iain Gillies die?

Iain Gillies died on 16 April 2025.

What was Iain Gillies's occupation?

Iain Gillies was an association football player.

What nationality was Iain Gillies?

Iain Gillies was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Iain Gillies

· Wikidata: Q5980451

· DBpedia: Iain Gillies

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Iain Gillies. https://biography.guide/iain-gillies/

MLA: "Iain Gillies." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/iain-gillies/.

Chicago: "Iain Gillies." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/iain-gillies/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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