RIP Willie McInnes

News has reached us from Accrington of the death on 15th October of Willie McInnes, aged 93, who was Southport’s goalkeeper between 1961 and 1963 making 26 League appearances.
Willie was born in Douglas West, Lanarkshire on 20th May 1931. He played for junior sides Kirkmuirhill and Stonehouse Violet before being signed by Falkirk, making occasional appearances in their Scottish Division One side.
It was whilst playing on loan with Alloa Athletic that he played in a floodlight friendly match at Accrington on 7th March 1955. His display impressed Walter Galbraith, Stanley’s Manager, who signed him in October 1955. Prior to signing for Accrington Willie had been reinstated as a junior and was playing for Lesmahagow.
The promise of a Council house by the club was the inducement which persuaded Willie to sign for Stanley. He was one of a large contingent of Scotsmen in the Accrington team. In fact, there was only one Englishman in the team when he made his League debut at Workington in March 1956. No wonder they were known as ‘McStanley’! Among his teammates were Armour Ashe and Norrie McCredie, both of whom subsequently played for Southport.
In almost six seasons with Stanley Willie Made 153 League appearances. He best season being 1957-58 when he missed only three games in the side which finished runners-up to Scunthorpe in the Third Division North – only one team being promoted at that time. He was in the team which drew 1-1 with First Division Preston North End in the FA Cup at Deepdale in January 1961. Less happily was the occasion when Stanley lost 9-2 at Crystal Pace in the opening game in the same season.
Willie was signed by Lem Newcomb in July 1961. On joining the club, he displaced Albert Harris -an ever-present the previous season – after only one game and performed well making 14 consecutive appearances until breaking a finger at Bradford City. Harris regained his place and Willie only played in the last two League games of the season. Retained by the club, he and Harris alternated in the early part of 1962-63. Playing behind a shaky defence he conceded 30 goals in 10 League games. His last League appearance was a 6-0 defeat at Chesterfield. Willie finally lost his place following an FA Cup replay at Wrexham in November 1962 in which he was responsible for all three goals conceded. Later the same month Willie had the unusual distinction of scoring for the Reserves from the left-wing at Chorley after he had five stitches inserted in a badly cut finger early in the game and returned after the interval to score with a good left foot shot.
When Geoff and I interviewed Willie at his Accrington home he recalled travelling by train to Southport each day as at that time he did not have a car. In his second season he alighted at Preston Station where he was met by former England International Bill Perry and they completed their journey together by car to Haig Avenue.
Willie retired at the end of the season and later ran a Fish and Chip shop in Huncoat. He was inducted into Accrington Stanley’s Hall of Fame and remained a popular personality in the town.
Everyone connected with Southport FC extends our deepest sympathy to Willie’s daughters, Elizabeth and Marie. His funeral will take place at St Joseph’s Church, Accrington on 28 th October at 10am followed by a burial at Accrington Cemetery and a reception afterwards at Whitakers Arms.

Michael Braham