William Abercromby (14 September 1958 – June 2024) was a Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder.

Billy Abercromby
Personal information
Full name William Abercromby
Date of birth (1958-09-14)14 September 1958
Place of birth Paisley, Scotland
Date of death June 2024(2024-06-00) (aged 65)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1975–1976 St Mirren
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1988 St Mirren 288 (15)
1988–1989 Partick Thistle 10 (0)
1989–1990 Dunfermline Athletic 9 (0)
1990 Cowdenbeath 4 (0)
1990–1991 East Stirlingshire 5 (0)
Total 316 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Abercromby came through the youth ranks at St Mirren and signed a full professional contract in 1975.[1] A year later he experienced his first involvement with the first team squad when Sir Alex Ferguson called him into the squad to tour the West Indies.[citation needed]

On 29 October 1986, Abercromby was sent off for three red card offences, one for foul play and two counts of dissent during a match against Motherwell at Love Street.[1] As a result, he was banned for twelve matches. He won the 1987 Scottish Cup when St Mirren beat Dundee United 1–0 in the final.[1] During the 1980s, Billy was involved in all four of St Mirren's forays into European competition, playing in nine of the club's 14 matches, more than any other Saints player.

He was transferred to Partick Thistle in 1988.

Abercromby battled with severe alcoholism when his playing days ended with his experiences and subsequent recovery being detailed in his biography Aber's Gonnae Get Ye.

Abercromby was one of the ex-players involved in the after-match parade following St Mirren's last game at the Love Street (stadium) on 3 January 2009.[citation needed]

Abercromby's death was announced on 18 June 2024. He was 65.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Andrew Newport. "Aber: My day of reckoning". Icrenfrewshire.icnetwork.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. ^ Irvine, David (18 June 2024). "St Mirren legend Billy Abercromby dies aged 65". The National. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
edit
  • Billy Abercromby at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database