Colin McAdam (footballer)

Colin McAdam (28 August 1951 – 1 August 2013) was a Scottish professional football player, best known for his time with Rangers. He played as both a centre back and a striker during his career.

Colin McAdam
Personal information
Full name Colin McAdam
Date of birth (1951-08-28)28 August 1951
Place of birth Irvine, Scotland
Date of death 1 August 2013(2013-08-01) (aged 61)
Place of death Glasgow, Scotland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender / Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1969–1975 Dumbarton 70 (11)
1975–1978 Motherwell 62 (3)
1977–1980 Partick Thistle 70 (24)
1980–1984 Rangers 65 (15)
1984–1985 Adelaide City 2 (0)
1985–1986 Heart of Midlothian 6 (0)
1986–1988 Partick Thistle 23 (1)
International career
1978 Scottish Football League XI[2] 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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McAdam played a youth player for Dumbarton and was later promoted to the main squad as a defender,[3] where he began his professional career. He had spells at Motherwell and Partick Thistle. He joined Rangers for £165,000 in June 1980. He made his debut for Rangers on 9 August 1980 in a Premier Division match against Airdrieonians which finished as a 1–1 draw. Under then manager John Greig, McAdam played mainly as a striker. His first goal came in his second appearance (against Partick Thistle) and set him on the road to an end of season tally of 21.[4] The following season proved not to be quite as successful and McAdam found himself being played in defence to cover injuries. Gradually he became more of a squad player and found himself surplus to requirements when Jock Wallace took over the reins at the club for his second spell in charge. He broke his leg in 1984 after a tackle with Dave Mitchell[3] and after 99 first team appearances and 32 goals he left Ibrox, with his penultimate appearance being the Scottish League Cup final in March 1984.

After a two-game stint with Australian side Adelaide City he returned to Scotland to sign for Hearts in September 1985.[5] He left Tynecastle in October 1986 having only played six times, all as a substitute.[2] He re-joined former club Partick Thistle for two seasons, who were now under the control of former teammate Derek Johnstone. After spells in the juniors with Irvine Meadow and Maryhill, McAdam retired in 1990.

Personal life and death

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McAdam was married and had three children.[3]

McAdam's younger brother Tom was also a footballer. A defender, he played for Rangers' biggest rivals Celtic at the same time Colin was at Rangers,[6] and they played against each other in Old Firm matches eight times.[7] They both started at Dumbarton and played there alongside each other,[8] and both later signed for Motherwell but at different times.

McAdam died on 1 August 2013, aged 61.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Colin McAdam". motherwellnet.com. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Colin McAdam". londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporter Club. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  3. ^ a b c National Soccer Monthly, August 1985, Issue 4, publisher: National Soccer Monthly, published: 1985
  4. ^ Rangers player McAdam, Colin, FitbaStats
  5. ^ "McAdam, Colin". Australian Player Database. OzFootball. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  6. ^ Celtic player McAdam, Tom, FitbaStats
  7. ^ Sibling Rivalry – The McAdams: Spanning The Great Glasgow Divide, Beyond the Last Man, 11 November 2019
  8. ^ Squad & Statistics: 1974/75, The Sons Archive
  9. ^ "Former Rangers and Partick Thistle player Colin McAdam dies aged 61". STV News. 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
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  • Colin McAdam at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database