Willie Ormond
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources
Career & Clubs
Club
Born in Falkirk, Ormond began his career nearby at Stenhousemuir. He then signed for Hibernian in November 1946. An outside-left, he played for Hibs over a fifteen-year period. He was one of the "Famous Five" forward line, one of the strongest front fives ever in Scottish football. The other forwards were Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Gordon Smith and Eddie Turnbull, who each scored over 100 goals for the club. Ormond scored a total of 187 goals in 503 appearances in all games for Hibs and won the Scottish League Championship three times. He was the last member of the Famous Five to leave Hibs, signing for hometown Falkirk in 1961.
Scotland
Ormond won six Scotland full international caps and played in Scotland's ill-fated venture to the 1954 FIFA World Cup finals. Ormond also represented the Scottish League XI 10 times.
After he retired from playing, Ormond became assistant trainer at Falkirk.
St Johnstone
In 1967, he was appointed as manager of St Johnstone. He led the club to the 1969 Scottish League Cup Final (October) and third in the 1970–71 Scottish Football League campaign behind Celtic and Aberdeen. This league finish meant that St Johnstone qualified for European competition for the first time. Ormond is still remembered as one of the club's most revered figures and his contribution to the club was later recognised by the club naming the South Stand at McDiarmid Park in his honour. One of the reasons Ormond's time at St Johnstone is so fondly remembered was the quality of football he played, with his 'if you score two we'll score three' outlook. The abilities of players such as John Connolly, Henry Hall, Kenny Aird and Jim Pearson enhanced the attacking style of play. Although greatly disappointed at Ormond leaving in 1972, St Johnstone were proud that he had become manager of Scotland.
Scotland national team
The Scottish Football Association replaced Tommy Docherty with Ormond in 1973 after Docherty left to join Manchester United. Ormond guided Scotland to the 1974 World Cup Finals in West Germany. Scotland beat Zaire and drew with Brazil and Yugoslavia to return home as the only unbeaten team in the tournament. They were eliminated after the group stage first round, but this remains the best-ever performance by a Scotland team in a World Cup. UEFA Euro 1976…
International
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ormond goal.
Managerial record
As of 28 March 2015
- Club
- Falkirk F.C. (1961–1962)
- Club
- Stenhousemuir F.C. (1946–1946)
- Club
- Hibernian F.C. (1946–1961)
- Club
- Scottish Football League XI (1947–1958)
- Club
- Scotland B national football team (1952–1952)
- Club
- Scotland men's national football team (1954–1959)
- National team
- Scotland
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Member of the Order of the British Empire
- Award
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Personal
His brother Gibby also played league football, for Airdrie, Dundee United, Cowdenbeath and Alloa. Gibby also represented the Scottish League. Another brother, Bert Ormond, emigrated and represented New Zealand at international level in 1962.
Clubs
- Hibernian F.C.1946–1961
- Stenhousemuir F.C.1946–1946
- Scottish Football League XI1947–1958
- Scotland B national football team1952–1952
- Scotland men's national football team1954–1959
- Falkirk F.C.1961–1962
Played together with
Abdellah ZoubirHibernian F.C. · 2013–2014- Adam EckersleyHibernian F.C. · 2015–2016
Aiden McGeadyHibernian F.C. · 2022–2023- Alan KernaghanFalkirk F.C. · 2005–2006
- Alan RoughHibernian F.C. · 1982–1988
Alex FergusonFalkirk F.C. · 1969–1973
Andy GoramHibernian F.C. · 1987–1991
Andy IrvingFalkirk F.C.- Andy RoxburghFalkirk F.C. · 1969–1972
Anthony StokesFalkirk F.C. · 2006–2007
Anthony StokesHibernian F.C. · 2009–2010
Anthony StokesHibernian F.C. · 2016–2016
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
William Esplin Ormond was a Scottish football player and manager. As a player, Ormond was well known as one of Hibernian's Famous Five forward line, winning three league championships in the late 1940s and early 1950s. After a successful spell managing St Johnstone he led Scotland to the 1974 World Cup finals. Scotland were unbeaten at that World Cup, but were eliminated on goal difference.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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