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William Waddell

1921 – 1992

Scottish footballer

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About William Waddell

Lived 1921 – 1992 (aged 71). William Waddell was a British association football player and association football coach.

William Waddell (7 March 1921 – 14 October 1992) was a professional football player and manager. His only club in a 16-year career as a player in the outside right position (interrupted by World War II) was Rangers which yielded six major winner's medals, and he also played 18 times for Scotland.

Waddell also managed Rangers – leading them to their only continental trophy in the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final – and served as a director of the Glasgow club, after a spell in charge of Kilmarnock which culminated in their only Scottish league title in 1964–65, followed by some years working as a sports journalist.

Career

Playing career Waddell was born in Forth, Lanarkshire. As a player, he only played professionally for Rangers in a career spanning both sides of World War II (and including over 200 unofficial matches during the conflict in addition to 317 recognised appearances).

He made his debut at the age of 17 in a friendly match against Arsenal

From the mid-1960s Scottish football was dominated by the Celtic side managed by Jock Stein.

Later career Waddell went on to serve Rangers in general manager and vice chairman roles. and latterly took up the role of vice chairman in September 1975. After four years he resigned his position, to be replaced by Lawrence Marlborough, and took up the role of consultant at the club. However, he left this role on 27 June 1981, National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

International goals Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.

Managerial record

Honours

Playing

Rangers

Scottish League Championship: 1938–39, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1952–53 Scottish Cup: 1948–49, 1952–53

Managerial

Kilmarnock

Scottish League Championship: 1964–65

Rangers

Scottish League Cup: 1970–71 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1971–72

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Important facts

People in William Waddell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Waddell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Waddell?

Scottish footballer (1921-1992)

When was William Waddell born?

William Waddell was born on 7 March 1921 in Forth.

When did William Waddell die?

William Waddell died on 14 October 1992 in Glasgow.

What was William Waddell's occupation?

William Waddell was an association football player and association football coach.

What nationality was William Waddell?

William Waddell was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Waddell

· Wikidata: Q8019867

· DBpedia: Willie Waddell

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Waddell. https://biography.guide/william-waddell/

MLA: "William Waddell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-waddell/.

Chicago: "William Waddell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-waddell/.

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

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