View source for Bobby Williamson

{{short description|Scottish footballer and manager}}
{{for|the Scottish football goalkeeper of the 1950s and 1960s|Bobby Williamson (footballer, born 1933)}}
{{other people|Robert Williamson}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{infobox football biography
| name = Bobby Williamson
| image = 
| caption = 
| fullname = Robert Williamson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|8|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| height = 5 ft 10 in<ref>{{cite book |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 |editor-first=Peter |editor-last=Dunk |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |date=1987 |page=384 |isbn=978-0-356-14354-5}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| currentclub = 
| years1 = 1980–1983
| caps1 = 70
| goals1 = 28
| clubs1 = [[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]]
| years2 = 1983–1986
| caps2 = 41
| goals2 = 12
| clubs2 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| years3 = 1986–1988
| caps3 = 53
| goals3 = 11
| clubs3 = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| years4 = 1988–1990
| caps4 = 93
| goals4 = 49
| clubs4 = [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]
| years5 = 1990–1995
| caps5 = 145
| goals5 = 38
| clubs5 = [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
| totalcaps = 402
| totalgoals = 138
| manageryears1 = 1996–2002
| managerclubs1 = [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
| manageryears2 = 2002–2004
| managerclubs2 = [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]]
| manageryears3 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs3 = [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]
| manageryears4 = 2007–2008
| managerclubs4 = [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]]
| manageryears5 = 2008–2013
| managerclubs5 = [[Uganda national football team|Uganda]]
| manageryears6 = 2013–2014
| managerclubs6 = [[Gor Mahia F.C.|Gor Mahia]]
| manageryears7 = 2014–2016
| managerclubs7 = [[Kenya national football team|Kenya]]
}}
'''Robert Williamson''' (born 13 August 1961) is a Scottish [[association football|football]] player and [[manager (association football)|manager]].

Williamson played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] for [[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]], [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]], [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] and [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]. He then became manager of Kilmarnock, winning the [[1996–97 Scottish Cup]]. Williamson moved to [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in 2002, but had less success there and left in 2004 to manage [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]. He was sacked by Argyle after just over a year in charge. After a short stint with [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]], Williamson became manager of the [[Uganda national football team]]. After a spell with [[Kenyan Premier League]] club [[Gor Mahia F.C.|Gor Mahia]] during which he won the league title, Williamson was appointed as the manager of [[Kenya national football team]].

==Playing career==
As a player, Williamson was a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]]. He began his career at [[Clydebank F.C. (1965)|Clydebank]] and scored 35 goals in 85 matches. Williamson earned a £100,000 move to [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] during the 1983–84 season.<ref name = "broken leg">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19840530&id=98NAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5313,6569493 |title=Broken leg adds to Rangers' miseries |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |first=Andrew |last=McCallum |date=30 May 1984 |access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> Five months after signing for Rangers, Williamson broke his right leg while on a night out during an end of season tour of Australia.<ref name = "broken leg"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19840530&id=oddQAAAAIBAJ&pg=2280,7595661 |title=Williamson out of Rangers tour |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 May 1984 |access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> The injury was initially expected to keep him out of action for two or three months,<ref name = "broken leg"/> but Williamson did not return to full training until December 1984.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19841219&id=17ZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3972,3908674 |title=Williamson may solve Ibrox problem |first=Jim |last=Reynolds |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group  |date=19 December 1984 |access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> After an injury-hit spell with Rangers, Williamson moved to [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in 1986, in part-exchange for [[Jimmy Nicholl]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19860808&id=aLZAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3798,1852508 |title=Second time around for so lucky Nicholl |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |date=8 August 1986 |access-date=17 October 2012 |first=Jim |last=Traynor}}</ref> Williamson also played in the [[English Football League|Football League]] for [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]. He returned to Scotland in 1990 to join [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]], which proved to be his last club as a player.

==Managerial career==

===Kilmarnock===
Williamson became the manager of Kilmarnock following the departure of [[Alex Totten]]. In his first season as manager, the club won the [[1997 Scottish Cup final]] by beating [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] 1–0 at [[Ibrox Stadium|Ibrox]].<ref name = "weegie hun"/> Kilmarnock finished highly in the [[Scottish Premier League]] and he guided them into Europe, playing a total of four two-legged ties over three seasons. He also attracted high-profile players including former [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] internationals [[Ally McCoist]] and [[Ian Durrant]], and the former [[France national football team|French]] international [[Christophe Cocard]].

===Hibernian===
Williamson took up a new challenge at [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in February 2002, where he inherited a team that had gone 18 league games without a win.<ref name = "Hibs kill">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/1848658.stm |title=Hibs kill off St Johnstone |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=1 March 2002}}</ref> A win against [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] in Williamson's first match in charge effectively removed the danger of relegation.<ref name = "Hibs kill"/> Due to financial problems at the club, Williamson had to move on several senior players,<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Richard |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20030727/ai_n12583779 |title=Hibernian: Moving Forward |work=[[Sunday Herald]] |date=27 July 2003}}</ref> but he did not endear himself to the Hibs fans.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Ian |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20030413/ai_n12581905 |title=Hibs manager the wrong man in the wrong job |work=[[Sunday Herald]] |date=13 April 2003 |access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref><ref name = "hibees">{{cite news|last=Moffat |first=Colin |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/3644519.stm |title=Few Hibees will mourn Williamson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2004 |access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> He lightheartedly joked about this relationship by referring to himself as a "[[Glasgow|weegie]] [[Rangers F.C.|hun]]".<ref name = "weegie hun">{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Douglas |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/hibs-manager-tackles-critics-jtljwhrg2tl |title=Hibs manager tackles critics |work= [[The Sunday Times]] |date=14 March 2004 |access-date=27 September 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927203813/https://www.thetimes.com/article/hibs-manager-tackles-critics-jtljwhrg2tl}}</ref> Nonetheless, Hibs produced several excellent young players, including [[Scott Brown (footballer, born June 1985)|Scott Brown]], [[Derek Riordan]], [[Garry O'Connor]], [[Kevin Thomson]] and [[Steven Whittaker]]. Williamson guided his young team to the [[2004 Scottish League Cup final]],<ref name = "weegie hun"/> but they were beaten 2–0 by [[Livingston F.C.|Livingston]].

===Plymouth===
Williamson moved to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] on 20 April 2004.<ref name = "hibees"/> By winning his first match in charge, the club won promotion to the [[EFL Championship|Football League Championship]]. After keeping the Pilgrims in the division in his first full campaign, a poor run of results at the start of the 2005–06 season led to his dismissal on 6 September 2005. Financial constraints at Plymouth Argyle resulted in a number of signings which contributed to his demise, most notably [[Taribo West]]. He was replaced by [[Tony Pulis]], who had recently been sacked by fellow [[EFL Championship|Championship]] side [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].

===Chester===
Williamson appeared as a pundit on [[BBC Radio Scotland]]'s ''[[Sportsound]]'' before he was appointed as [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] manager on 11 May 2007.<ref name="Bobby is the new Blue for City">{{cite news | title = Bobby is the new Blue for City | url = http://www.chestercityfc.net/article/1041746/Bobby-is-the-new-Blue-for-City | publisher = Chester City FC | date = 11 May 2007 | access-date = 2007-05-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070519014231/http://www.chestercityfc.net/article/1041746/Bobby-is-the-new-Blue-for-City | archive-date = 19 May 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Williamson's first [[English Football League|Football League]] match in charge of Chester ended in a 0–0 draw with [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] on 11 August 2007 and has established them as a promotion contender in the opening months of the season. After mid-season, Chester's form began to drop rapidly, winning only 1 out of 14 games since Boxing Day; Williamson was sacked on 2 March 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chester/7273561.stm |title=Chester manager Williamson sacked |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=2 March 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref>

===Uganda===
On 19 August 2008, Williamson was appointed by [[Federation of Uganda Football Associations|FUFA]] to be the coach of the [[Uganda national football team]].<ref name = "uganda"/> Williamson replaced [[Csaba László (footballer born 1964)|Csaba László]], who resigned in July 2008 to join [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]].<ref name = "uganda">{{cite news |last=Oryada |first=Andrew Jackson |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7570788.stm |title=Uganda name new coach |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> Within days of being appointed, Williamson was given the [[ultimatum]] of winning his first two games against [[Niger national football team|Niger]] and [[Benin national football team|Benin]] to earn a longer contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Mark |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Williamson-gets-twowin-ultimatum-.4411996.jp |title=Williamson gets two-game chance |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> He succeeded in doing that, and their [[FIFA World Ranking]] steadily improved during his first two years in charge.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Bobby-Williamson-working-wonders-as.6573017.jp |last=Baguma |first=Raymond |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=9 October 2010 |access-date=10 October 2010 |title=Bobby Williamson working wonders as Uganda eye promised land}}</ref> Williamson led his Uganda team to the [[2011 CECAFA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=36353 |title=Uganda cranes savour supremacy |first=Mohammed |last=Ugasa |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=3 June 2013 |work=IPP Media }}</ref>

Uganda almost qualified for the [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations]], losing on a [[penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]] in their qualifying playoff tie against [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/football-in-brief-williamson-won-t-quit-after-cup-agony-1-2581146 |title=Football in brief: Williamson won't quit after cup agony |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Publishing |date=16 October 2012 |access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> Uganda had a bad start to 2014 World Cup qualifying, taking just two points from three games.<ref name = "uganda sacked"/> It was announced on 8 April 2013 that Williamson had been sacked by Uganda.<ref name = "uganda sacked">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22064158 |title=Uganda sack Scottish coach Bobby Williamson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=8 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/bobby-williamson-on-his-time-with-uganda-1-2951530 |title=Bobby Williamson on his time with Uganda |publisher=Johnston Publishing |work=Scotsman.com |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

===Gor Mahia===
On 5 July 2013, it was announced that Williamson agreed terms with [[Kenyan Premier League]] side [[Gor Mahia F.C.|Gor Mahia]] to join the club as their new head coach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/bobby-williamson-to-take-over-at-gor-mahia |title=Bobby Williamson to take over at Gor Mahia |author=Wilson Mathu |publisher=Futaa.com |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708082458/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/bobby-williamson-to-take-over-at-gor-mahia |archive-date=8 July 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000087603&story_title=Kenya-former-ugandan-coach-agrees-terms-with-gor-mahia |title=Former Uganda national team coach Bobby Williamson accepts terms with Gor Mahia |publisher=StandardMedia.co.ke |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/uganda/fufa-super-league/news/2013/06-ex-cranes-coach-bobby-joins-kenyaaaas-gor-mahia.html |title=Ex-Cranes coach Bobby joins Kenya's Gor Mahia |publisher=MTNFootball.com |date=6 July 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003135/http://mtnfootball.com/africa/uganda/fufa-super-league/news/2013/06-ex-cranes-coach-bobby-joins-kenyaaaas-gor-mahia.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> He replaced Croatian counterpart [[Zdravko Logarusić]], who was sacked by the club 9 days earlier, on 25 June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/logarusic-fired |title=Logarusic fired |author=Patrick Korir |publisher=Futaa.com |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627194020/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/logarusic-fired |archive-date=27 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michezoafrika.com/kpl/zdravko-logarusic-has-been-fired/12921 |title=Zdravko Logarusic has been fired |author=Dennis Machio |publisher=MichezoAfrika.com |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4522/kenya/2013/06/25/4073511/gor-mahia-part-ways-with-coach-zdravko-logarusic |title=Gor Mahia part ways with coach Zdravko Logarusic |author=Dennis Mabuka |publisher=Goal |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5e11XThtes  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/d5e11XThtes |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Gor Mahia fire coach Logarusic |author=Kenya Television Network |author-link=Kenya Television Network |via=YouTube|date=25 June 2013 |access-date=7 July 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Williamson led Gor Mahia to their first national league championship in 18 years.<ref name = "fifa kenya"/>

===Kenya===
In August 2014, Williamson was appointed manager of the [[Kenya national football team|Kenya national team]].<ref name = "fifa kenya">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/241/674/1/index.html?cid=twitter_fifacom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817115218/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/241/674/1/index.html?cid=twitter_fifacom |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2014 |title=Williamson named new Kenya coach |publisher=FIFA |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28648830 Bobby Williamson appointed Kenya coach], BBC Sport</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28881614 Bobby Williamson signs contract to become Kenya coach], BBC Sport</ref> He took over the post after his last game with Gor Mahia in a league game against [[Sony Sugar F.C.|Sony Sugar]] on 24 August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/bobby-to-aid-in-selecting-goras-next-coach |title=Bobby to aid in selecting Gor's next coach |date=22 August 2014 |author=Vincent Opiyo |publisher=Futaa.com |access-date=24 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115928/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/bobby-to-aid-in-selecting-goras-next-coach |archive-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was replaced by ex-[[Mathare United F.C.|Mathare United]] manager [[Stanley Okumbi]] in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/New-Stars-coach-Okumbi-equal-to-task/-/1102/3086164/-/pf4u61z/-/index.html|title=New Stars coach Okumbi equal to task|publisher=Nation|date=20 February 2016}}</ref>

== Honours ==
=== Player ===
;Rotherham
*[[Football League Fourth Division]]: [[1988–89 Football League|1988–89]]

;Kilmarnock
*[[Scottish First Division]] promotion: [[1992–93 Scottish First Division|1992–93]]

'''Individual'''
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[1989–90 Football League#Third Division|1989–90 Third Division]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Lynch |title=The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes |page=148}}</ref>

=== Manager ===
;Kilmarnock
*[[Scottish Cup]]: [[1996–97 Scottish Cup|1996–97]]
*[[Ayrshire Cup]]: 1998<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.killiefc.com/13-5-1998-ayr-utd-h-ayrshire-cup | title=Killie (0) 4 - (2) 2 Ayr Utd | publisher=KillieFC.com | date=13 May 1998 | accessdate=21 March 2021}}</ref>
*[[Scottish League Cup]] runner-up: [[2000–01 Scottish League Cup|2000–01]]

;Hibernian
*[[Scottish League Cup]] runner-up: [[2003–04 Scottish League Cup|2003–04]]

;Plymouth Argyle
*[[Football League Second Division]]: [[2003–04 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season|2003–04]]

;Uganda
*[[CECAFA Cup]]: [[2008 CECAFA Cup|2008]], [[2009 CECAFA Cup|2009]], [[2011 CECAFA Cup|2011]], [[2012 CECAFA Cup|2012]]

;Gor Mahia
*[[Kenyan Premier League]]: [[2013 Kenyan Premier League|2013]]
*[[FKF President's Cup|President's Cup]] runner-up: [[2013 FKF President's Cup Final|2013]]
*[[Kenyan Super Cup]] runner-up: [[2013 Kenyan Super Cup (post-season)|2013]]

==Personal life==
Since retiring, Williamson lives in Kenya with his wife, Michelle, and daughter Saoirse.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Chester boss Bobby Williamson on beating cancer and why Blues collapse happened |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-chester-boss-bobby-williamson-15800043 |website=www.cheshire-live.co.uk/|date=8 February 2019 }}</ref>

He was diagnosed with cancer of the nasal passages in the summer of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/hibernian/bobby-williamson-ex-hibs-and-kilmarnock-boss-reveals-cancer-fight-1-4644487|title=Bobby Williamson, ex-Hibs and Kilmarnock boss, reveals cancer fight|publisher=[[Johnston Press]]|website=scotsman.com|date=21 December 2017|access-date=13 August 2018|author=Patrick McPartlin}}</ref> As of July 2018 Williamson is in remission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Hibs boss Bobby Williamson reveals he's cancer free |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/ex-hibs-boss-bobby-williamson-reveals-hes-cancer-free-274304 |website=www.scotsman.com/ |date=22 July 2018 |access-date=29 August 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{NeilBrownPlayers|player1/bobbywilliamson}}
*{{soccerbase (manager)|id=1379|name=Bobby Williamson}}
*[http://tuko.co.ke/96380-see-much-government-owes-harambee-stars-manager-bobby-williamson.html]
* [https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-chester-boss-bobby-williamson-15800043 Bobby Williamson Interview]

{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|bordercolor=navy
|list=
{{1989–90 Football League Third Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Scottish Championship top scorers}}
{{Kilmarnock F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Scottish Cup winning managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Managerial positions
|list1=
{{Kilmarnock F.C. managers}}
{{Hibernian F.C. managers}}
{{Plymouth Argyle F.C. managers}}
{{Chester City F.C. managers}}
{{Uganda national football team managers}}
{{Kenya national football team managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Bobby}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Scottish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Clydebank F.C. (1965) players]]
[[Category:Rangers F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rotherham United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish football managers]]
[[Category:Kilmarnock F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Hibernian F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Chester City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Uganda national football team managers]]
[[Category:Gor Mahia F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Kenya national football team managers]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League managers]]
[[Category:Scottish Premier League managers]]
[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:Scottish expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Uganda]]
[[Category:Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Kenya]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Uganda]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Kenya]]