Double Acts


Kilmarnock-Shaw

Willie Kilmarnock
Willie Kilmarnock

Willie Kilmarnock signed for Motherwell in 1938 and four years later manager John Hunter recruited the services of a young Archibald Shaw, who was plying his trade with local outfit Wishaw Juniors. This of course would be the beginning of an amazing full back partnership which would last for an incredible thirteen seasons. Willie would feature on the right berth whereas Archie would play on the left.

Highlights for the duo most notably included helping the club win the League Cup in the 1950/51 season, beating a decent Hibernian side 3-0. The following season the duo helped Motherwell beat Dundee 4-0, in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden in front of an astonishing crowd of 136,274.

The partnership was finally broken when Bobby Ancell sold Willie to Airdrieonians in 1956. It’s unlikely their record of 13 seasons will be beaten, particularly since the inception of the Bosman Ruling, which has given players freedom of contract. Willie played in 418 first team games scoring 16 times, while Archie played 360 times netting 3 times.