Billy Gavine

Billy was initially signed on an S form contract from Hillside BC in October 1973, and he subsequently signed his first professional contract in May 1975. In spring 1976, Albert Henderson gave him an opportunity in the first team, with Billy featuring in the majority of the Spring Cup games we played. The following campaign he only made three league appearances, all coming as a substitute, before he was sold to Forfar Athletic in mid-March 1977.

After impressing at Forfar, Billy was re-signed from the Station Park side in the summer of 1978, and during the next six seasons he was a regular starter in the team, the least games he played in a season during this period being 37. In his initial few years back at Gayfield he played upfront, but the appointment of Ian Stewart in January 1980 saw him begin to take a step back into the midfield, and he continued to play there for the rest of Stewart’s reign as well as under his successor George Fleming. In September 1984, Billy was sold to St. Johnstone in a swap deal which saw Andy Brannigan sign up at Gayfield.