Willie Fernie

William Fernie (22 November 1928 – 1 July 2011) was a Scottish football player and coach. He played as a forward for Celtic, Middlesbrough, St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Alloa Athletic, Fraserburgh, Coleraine and Bangor.

He represented Scotland and the Scottish League, and was selected for Scotland squads in the 1954 and 1958 World Cups. Fernie later managed Kilmarnock between 1973 and 1977.

Playing career Fernie, who was born in Kinglassie, Fife, joined Celtic from his local side Kinglassie Hearts in 1948. Fernie became a regular first team player in 1952–53, and set up both of the Celtic goals in their 2–0 win against Hibs in the Coronation Cup Final. He was part of Celtic's 1953–54 Double-winning team for £18,000 in December 1958. However, as a part-time team, Kilmarnock struggled in the top flight and were unsurprisingly relegated in 1977. After a bad start to the following season, Fernie was sacked in October 1977 and was never again employed in football.

Disillusioned with football, he subsequently worked as a taxi driver. Fernie died in 2011, aged 82, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.