Willie Bauld's Hearts Career

Scottish League

Appearances Goals

292

183

League Cup

Appearances       76 Goals                   70

Scottish Cup

Appearances       40 Goals                   22

Europe

Appearances        5 Goals                    2

Others

Appearances       97 Goals                  78

Totals

Appearances      510 Goals                 355

Willie Bauld   1927 - 1977

Picture

'The King'

Willie Bauld was born in Newcraighall in 1927, played football for the local primary school, then for Niddrie Marischal school. When he left he went to work in the local Co-op, but later left to apprentice himself in the Brickworks.

He was a big hit as a centre forward with the Sixtieth Boy's Brigade team, and played for the Edinburgh Inter Cities Boys' Brigade team. He then had a few games for Edinburgh Waverley, six months in a Musselburgh Union strip, before signing for Musselburgh Athletic, a team he never played for. Sunderland became interested in the young Bauld, and came North to sign him, but it was not to be, the bags were packed ready for the trip South, however, Musselburgh officials confirmed that the signing was not in order, Sunderland having failed to come up with the relevant compensation to which the junior team were entitled.The deal fell through, and before Sunderland could re-negotiate, Donald McLean the shrewd Hearts Manager had  stepped in for the Bauld signature.

Willie went to Newtongrange Star for experience, and every day he longed for the chance to play in a maroon jersey. When he was  eventually called up to Tynecastle, he had his first big disappointment, Hearts loaned him out to Edinburgh City, a team struggling to hold its head up in the Second Divison. At the start of Season 1948-49, he returned to Tynecastle to play for the reserve team, with the praise of Edinburgh City's handful of fans ringing in his ears. So it wasn't surprising that when he made his first team debut on the ninth October 1948 against East  Fife, the majority of the fans knew little about him. Willie soon rectified that. Hearts had not been doing well, but the new inside forward formation of Alfie Conn, Willie Bauld and Jimmy Wardhaugh had the crowds raving long before the end, as Hearts stormed to a magnificent six one win with Bauld claiming a 'hat-trick' Alfie Conn getting two, and Davie Laing netting another from the penalty spot. This was the first defeat of the season for the then Scottish Cup Holders. The 'Terrible Trio' went on to play together for ten years, and in their appearances which numbered over two hundred, they scored between them over five hundred goals. If Hearts fans looked on Willie's debut as a flash in the pan they were soon proved wrong, for in the very next game he scored another 'hat- trick' against Queen of the South.

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