Willie Duff

William Duff (6 February 1935 – 30 August 2004) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Born in Winchburgh, West Lothian, Duff grew up in western Edinburgh, attending Corstorphine Primary School and Boroughmuir High School. He originally played as a left-back while with juvenile side Slateford Athletic but deputised in goal on one occasion when the side's regular custodian didn't turn up and retained the role afterwards.

In 1952, Hearts' manager Tommy Walker paid £200 for Duff's signature and he moved to Tynecastle as back-up for Jimmy Watters. Rather than commute back to Edinburgh from his southern barracks for weekend games, he guested for London side Charlton Athletic, then in the lower reaches of the English First Division. The Addicks had struggled to replace their legendary goalkeeper Sam Bartram since his retirement earlier that year but Duff quickly established the Charlton goalkeeper's position as his own with a string of accomplished performances, which led to his selection in the Army's representative side. He signed permanently for Charlton when his national service was over, for a fee of £6,500, and made over 200 appearances in seven years at The Valley.

Duff joined Peterborough United in 1963 and after several seasons with the Posh returned to Scotland with Dunfermline Athletic. He enjoyed an Indian Summer to his career with the Pars, helping the side reach the 1968–69 Cup Winners' Cup semi-final. He retired after leaving Dunfermline but made a number of brief comebacks to cover for injuries, assisting Raith Rovers, East Stirlingshire and Albion Rovers in this manner.

After his final retirement, Duff established a joinery business in Edinburgh. He emigrated to the US, where his son Bill is domiciled in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s but returned to Edinburgh in 2003. He died suddenly on 30 August 2004, whilst playing bowls with friends.