Bobby Williamson

Did You Know?

• Williamson was diagnosed with cancer of the nasal passages in summer 2017 and was in remission as of July 2018.
• He lives in Kenya with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter.
• He won the Kenyan Premier League title as manager of Gor Mahia.

Playing career

Williamson started his playing days at Clydebank, netting 35 times in 85 appearances. A £100,000 transfer took him to Rangers in the 1983–84 season. Five months later, a night out during an Australian tour resulted in a broken right leg, keeping him from full training until December 1984. He left Rangers for West Bromwich Albion in 1986 as part of a swap for Jimmy Nicholl, later playing for Rotherham United. Williamson finished his playing career back in Scotland, joining Kilmarnock in 1990.

Managerial career

Williamson became manager of Kilmarnock after Alex Totten's departure. In his first season, the club won the 1997 Scottish Cup final, beating Falkirk 1–0 at Ibrox. Kilmarnock finished highly in the Scottish Premier League and played four two-legged European ties over three seasons. He attracted high-profile players including Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant, and Christophe Cocard.

He moved to Hibernian in February 2002, inheriting a team that had gone 18 league games without a win; his first match in charge ended that run. Financial problems forced him to move senior players, and he did not endear himself to Hibs fans, lightheartedly calling himself a 'weegie hun'. His young team reached the 2004 Scottish League Cup final but lost 2–0 to Livingston. Williamson moved to Plymouth Argyle on 20 April 2004, winning his first match and securing promotion to the Championship.

After keeping the club in the division, a poor start to the 2005–06 season led to his dismissal on 6 September 2005. Financial constraints contributed to his demise, notably the signing of Taribo West. He was replaced by Tony Pulis. Williamson then worked as a pundit on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound before becoming Chester City manager on 11 May 2007.

His first league match ended in a 0–0 draw with Chesterfield, and the team were promotion contenders early in the season.