Former Aberdeen and Arsenal defender Willie Young has died at the age of 73. He helped Arsenal lift the FA Cup in 1979 and his tackle on Paul Allen in the 1980 final led to the introduction of the professional foul rule. Arsenal praised his aerial dominance and fearless style that inspired supporters.
Born in Edinburgh and raised in the village of Heriot, Young began his senior career with Aberdeen in 1970 and made more than 180 appearances before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 1975. He moved across North London to Arsenal in 1977, where his partnership with David O’Leary produced three straight FA Cup final appearances and a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in 1979.
Young never earned a senior cap for Scotland after receiving a lifetime ban following an altercation at a Danish nightclub. He left Arsenal in 1981 for Nottingham Forest and retired in 1984 after short spells with Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Darlington.
Born in Edinburgh and raised in the village of Heriot, Young began his senior career with Aberdeen in 1970 and made more than 180 appearances before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 1975. He moved across North London to Arsenal in 1977, where his partnership with David O’Leary produced three straight FA Cup final appearances and a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in 1979.
Young never earned a senior cap for Scotland after receiving a lifetime ban following an altercation at a Danish nightclub. He left Arsenal in 1981 for Nottingham Forest and retired in 1984 after short spells with Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Darlington.
