Our Honorary club president, William Murchison Matheson, passed away on November 10th following a severe stroke, aged 86. He was a member for almost half of the club’s entire existence, so probably knew at least half of those who were ever members. In his time he played to a very high standard, held many positions of responsibility from groundsman to President and was an exemplary ambassador for the club.
Those of us who attended his funeral were impressed by the huge attendance and will never forget the moving tributes from the family. The love, respect and affection expressed for “Dr Bill” extended to past and present members of Western Hockey Club who were well represented at the service. Many who sent in tributes wished to record how welcoming Bill was to everyone who joined the club.
This appreciation focusses on Bill’s hockey career, only one of this remarkable man’s interests and passions, with only occasional reference to his wider activities where appropriate.
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Dr Bill in 1958 in the club's 60th Jubilee Match
It all started at school in Lairg with an annual hockey game, boys against the girls, from which he apparently emerged unscathed. University entrance to study medicine had to be put on hold while he did the required National Service in the Royal Tank Regiment in Yorkshire. There he was persuaded to take up hockey and played as a right half, which he enjoyed greatly. When he was invalided out after 20 months he was at last able to go to Glasgow University in 1951. In addition to his academic duties he became a leading light in the hockey club, again at right half. However too much competition for this position led him to volunteer as goalkeeper for the 3rd XI. Within two months he had been promoted to the 1st XI, and was selected for Scottish Universities the following year. In those days this was considered a high honour in hockey circles. A highlight was his participation in the first ever televised hockey match in Scotland, playing for Scottish Universities against their English counterparts at Wester- lands. Despite his defence being on the back foot all game, he managed to achieve a shut out. Clearly a rising star, the following season he played for the ‘Possibles’ against the ‘Probables’ which was the final stage of selection for the international team. Unfortunately due to prior injury he had a poor game and the starting jersey went to George Black of Stepps, who went on to represent Scotland and GB with great distinction over many years. Bill was honoured with the Presidency of the Glasgow University Athletic Club in 1956-57, an early indication of his willingness and suitability for positions of responsibility.
On leaving university in 1957 Bill joined Western, along with Gavin Walker and Norman Macleod, who both went on to gain Scottish caps. In the team at that time were Alastair Carnegie, Irish international David Hopkins and one of Western’s better known hyphens, Robert Cunninghame-Graham, He went straight into the 1st XI and occasionally was selected for the Picts, Scottish hockey’s equivalent of the Barbarians, in the company of some of the country’s top players. His abilities and character made him an ideal tourist and he received many invitations to join other clubs at festivals and tournaments.
Bill's early Western career was affected by the demands of being a junior doctor: his frequent unavailability to travel forced him to play for whichever team was playing at home. Loss of his first XI place was the rest of the club’s gain though. He graced several teams in the succeeding decades: vice captain of the 3rds for many years, and in the late 70s, doyen of the lowest team, the 5ths, along with his friend Alastair Carnegie. His knowledge of the game was useful in identifying and recommending young talent which might otherwise have languished in the lower XI’s. Old goalkeepers don’t retire, they just fade away – and Bill continued to play into the 21st century. Known affectionately as “the great white doctor” for his unconventional kit of white tracksuit and cricket pads, he eschewed face guards and other pansy safety equipment. His genial and gregarious nature belied a fiercely competitive streak, and his blood-curdling shrieks at his recalcitrant defence were legendary. His goalkeeping style was adventurous, with an occasional propensity to charge from his goal line in search of ball or man, or both. On one classic occasion, his team stood aghast as he chased a young opponent to the corner flag with a view to GBH.
But perhaps the best anecdote about Bill, which attests both to his longevity as a player and to his ability to laugh at himself, was when in his 70s he recounted his visit to a Glasgow sports shop to replace his ancient kit. After dithering for a while over the merits of various items of modern gear, the shop assistant helpfully suggested “Why don’t you bring your in boy to get fitted himself?”
Impressive though his hockey contribution to Western was, his service to the club was much wider than his goalkeeping. Right from his arrival in 1957 Bill Matheson started to undertake positions of responsibility and he was involved in committee work until his death 57 (!) years later. The pages of the Club Centenary History reveal his involvement in nearly every activity of the club from the most exalted to the most menial. An ability to get things done without fuss was his touchstone. As secretary between 1966 and 1969 Bill was closely involved in the negotiations to bring the club to Auchenhowie, as a section of Milngavie and Bearsden Sports Club. This was one of the most important and influential changes in the club’s history. In the inaugural hockey match for the new pitch in 1971 he was ‘keeper in the President’s XI against a Club XI, score 2-1.
He was President of Western from 1978 to 1986, succeeding Alastair Carnegie. Another seminal event in Western’s history started during his Presidency – the international indoor hockey tournament known as “The Glenfiddich”. Bill was in the planning group which met in 1978. Subsequently the tournament was held annually from 1979 to 1994. It put Western firmly at the centre of indoor hockey in Scotland and well beyond. Bill was throughout an enthusiastic backer and official tournament doctor, many players benefitting from his skilful interventions. Some members may recall an excellent post-tournament celebration at Auchenhowie when some Dutch players decided that Bill’s shirt would make an excellent notice board, and before long many others had added their messages. He accepted this with his customary good grace, but his wife Eileen may not have appreciated the jape as she tried to wash it.
Bill was always a keen and vocal supporter of the 1st XI - at home and abroad, at cup finals and relegation battles. His enthusiastic response to victories was counterbalanced by quiet words of consolation in defeat. For him the highlights of his association with the club were the successes of the 1st XI, various foreign tours, the long association with Huddersfield HC, and the Glenfiddich Tournament.
As the demands on the President and Club Captain became more onerous, in 1986 the club embarked on a fundamental reorganisation, which included restricting the club president's tenure to a period of three years. The intention was to encourage the incumbent to develop the club to meet the demands of the modern game before handing on to a fresh pair of hands. As a corollary, the post of Honorary President was instituted. There was no question about who would be the first holder – Bill was elected nem. con. He served wonderfully in this role from 1987 until his recent death – 27 years later. In addition to Hon. Pres. duties he has chaired almost every imaginable committee, from "centenary" to "disciplinary". He was deservedly awarded the Western Trophy (for outstanding service to the Club) in 1995, 1996, 2005 and 2007. Since Friends of Western was set up in 2003 Bill was a most enthusiastic member of the managing group, helping the club to keep in touch with its past members.
As well as his contribution to the hockey section, Bill always had a strong commitment to the M & B Sports Club, and after spells as the hockey representative on the Sports Club Committee, and grounds convenor, he served as their president for four years. In conjunction with this he represented the sports club on the Bearsden & Milngavie Sports Council. After the opening of the artificial pitch at Auchenhowie he acted as pitch convenor and organised the lets for many years. He also ran the ‘100 Club’, a fund-raising project whereby members paid in regularly and occasionally got a welcome small cheque.
In a club which has benefitted greatly from a host of (voluntary) administrators, organisers and planners over many years, Bill Matheson’s dedicated commitment stands above all others. He was ever willing to take on positions of responsibility, yet he never requested nor expected anything in return. His sagacity and geniality have been important factors in the club’s development and achievements. We surely won’t see his likes again. HFA/MS