Tributes pour for Hearts legend Willie Polland
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Hearts defender Willie Polland, from West Lothian, who has died aged 75.
Born in Armadale on 28 July, 1934, Willie played for local side Wallhouse Rose, before he was signed by Raith Rovers in June 1955.
In the late 1950s, he was considered one of the best young defenders in Scotland in the right back position.
In April 1961, Willie, along with teammate Willie Wallace, moved to Hearts for a combined fee of 15,500.
It was a dream move for the life-long Jambos fan and he made his debut at Tynecastle when the club beat Dundee 2-1. He was a regular in the side which narrowly lost the championship on goal average on the last day of the season in 64/65.
Willie remained at the club until 1967, when he returned to Raith Rovers, having played more than 250 matches for Hearts. At Raith he played at right half, alongside Bobby Evans.
In 1967/68, calamity struck when he broke his leg in a pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest. He did not return until March, by which time the Rovers were deep in relegation trouble.
He helped the club to remain in the top flight, but Rovers were eventually relegated in April 1970, when Willie retired. Over his football career he played in 372 League matches.
Friends and family say that, above all, Willie was a real family man. He married his wife Dorothy Hunter, a native of Bathgate, after three years together in 1959.
Although Willie made the ceremony, he was too busy helping to thrash Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox during the reception.
Last year, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a trip to Malta.
They had their only child, Lorna, in 1968. Willie lived his entire life in West Lothian.
Lorna said: "Family was very important to my father. He loved to be surrounded by family, and everything he got involved with, he tried getting his family involved with."
After completing a joinery apprenticeship, Willie worked alongside his father, Joseph.
He co-founded Elm Construction Linlithgow Ltd with his brother, the late George Polland.
In 1970, he and his father also built a well-known public house in Armadale. He and various other family members successfully ran The Corrie for more than 20 years.
He was also renowned for his hugely generous nature and juggling a family, two jobs and football training, Willie was never off his feet.
Lorna added: "My father couldn't bear seeing anyone in trouble. He would often give selflessly of himself and helped mentor a lot of people in the community.
"He'd train in the morning, work at the site during the day, come home for tea and work evenings at The Corrie.
"He was a workaholic, meticulous about his work. He worked incredibly hard doing something he obviously loved.
"Although lucky to have a football career that allowed him to travel, he always liked coming home to Scotland. He was an incredible individual who touched the lives of many people."
His funeral was held on Tuesday at St Anthony's RC Church, Armadale, and then at Woodbank Cemetery, with a reception in Bathgate Golf Club afterwards.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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