Bill Munro 1934–2023
The Driving Force Behind Clydebank FC’s Most Successful Seasons
Bill Munro, who passed away in the first week of October 2023, was a pivotal figure in the history of Clydebank FC, coaching the club during their most successful period. A few years ago, I spoke to Bill and several of his colleagues for an as-yet-unpublished book on the club's history.
‘I was never much of a success as a player,’ Bill told the Weekly News in 1974. ‘A short stay with Kilmarnock, English Fourth Division football with Barrow, and back home for a spell with East Stirling. That was my lot.’ While serving in the RAF, Bill was stationed in Peterhead, where he played for the local team. A forward, he also had a spell with Kilwinning. Leaving Kilmarnock without making a first-team appearance, Bill played fifteen times for Barrow between 1959 and 1960. He scored within two minutes of his debut, a 4–1 win over Darlington, although he would score only one more goal in his time there. Fifty-four league games for East Stirlingshire, including their season as ES Clydebank followed. ‘I just did not have what it took to hit the big time. I need to make up for that as a manager. It was always my ambition to become a boss. Signing for East Stirling was my lucky break. The Steedmans ran the side then, and our ideas have always run on parallel lines.’
