Scunthorpe United is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Andy Wilson, aged 80.
Born in Rotherham on September 27, 1940, Wilson began his footballing career at Sheffield United, making four appearances for the Blades between 1959 and 1961.
It was at the Iron where he really paved his career when he joined the side in the Second Division in June 1961. A right or left winger with an eye for goal, Andy was signed as a 20-year-old, with Sheffield United having just enjoyed promotion to the First Division.
A signing to hopefully repeat the feat with his new club, he was at the club for four seasons until being given a free transfer to Doncaster in 1965.
Despite signing in the June, he made his debut away at Swansea Town on October 7th, 1961 and would go onto make 21 appearances and score three goals in his debut season as Scunthorpe just missed out on promotion to the First Division, finishing fourth in their highest-ever position in their history.
In his second campaign with the club, the team finished 9th, with the winger making 26 appearances in the league, scoring five, which was a respectable total considering he sat out October through February due to injury.
Wilson was a near ever-present in 1963-64 as the side suffered relegation to Division Three, making 40 appearances and scoring five while his final campaign at the club saw him sit out two stints in the season, although he still managed 25 appearances.
His final goal for the club came in his penultimate game for the side, as he went down in the history books as one of the scorers in the side's record league win of 8-1 against Luton Town - a record which has since only been equalled.
In total, he made 112 league appearances, scoring 14 goals during his time at the Old Show Ground. He would also make 15 FA Cup appearances for the side and 12 in the League Cup, notching one goal in each of the competitions.
In 1965, he would make a free transfer to local rivals Doncaster Rovers. He'd remain with the club for one season, adding 21 appearances to his professional tally.
His next move would be to Chesterfield where he racked up another 72 appearances and 13 goals in two campaigns between 1966 and 1968, the most prolific spell in terms of goals in his career.
Next would be a move to Aldershot and non-league Boston United for the successive two years, where he would make 20 starts, scoring once for the Shots. Meanwhile, for Boston, he would make 32 appearances in the Northern Premier League, 25 of which starts, scoring once, along with a further 10 starts and one substitute appearance in cup competitions.
Following his retirement from playing, he also managed Matlock Town before working for Royal London Insurance until his retirement. He resided in Walton for over 45 years.
The thoughts and condolences of everyone at the club are with Andy's family and friends.