Billy McLafferty

Likened to Chic Charnley in Stenhousemuir’s official history, Billy McLafferty joined that club in season 1991-2, and took on an attacking midfield role. But Billy was never settled, either as a permanent fixture in the team or in a rational sense. ‘Attacking’ is probably a term which relates better to this talented individual. Arriving from Renfrew, Billy had previously displayed his skills in the Ayrshire junior leagues, where he had gained a reputation as a difficult character. Nonetheless, his ability encouraged the Ochilview side to give Billy his senior chance…..more than once!

On 1st February 1992, Stenhousemuir faced Arbroath at Gayfield Park. Ordered off by referee Ian Taylor, for what the player saw as an innocuous offence, another incident was said to have taken place during that sending off. Ref Taylor accused Billy of head butting the hand which held the red card, and reported this to the Scottish League. Those who remember Eric the Red’s assault on a spectator at Selhurst Park should note that the Scottish football authorities banned Billy McLafferty for a longer spell than the English banned Cantona! He was banned for 8 and a half months for failing to turn up at a Scottish FA hearing after that dismissal against Arbroath.

Stenhousemuir maintained confidence in McLafferty, and following his compulsory banishment from the side, the League decided to appoint the same official, Ian Taylor, for Billy’s comeback. Whether this was by accident or design matters not, for Billy decided to absent himself for a further voluntary suspension. Such was the player’s potential that the Warriors stuck by him, and he returned to the side on 7th November against Stranraer ……..and was sent off on this his first game back!

The club retained faith in the player, but a year after his headline making sending off, Billy stormed out of Ochilview for the last time. Following being substituted for the second week in a row, he got changed and left the ground with his boots well before full time.

In 24 appearances, Billy McLafferty contributed four goals and many ‘edge of the seat’ moments: on leaving Ochilview, he took a short break from football before turning up in the Juniors again, playing for Maryhill. He continued playing for a number of years, including a return to Renfrew, following spells with Pollock and Petershill. He then signed for Clydebank, where he was reputed to be ‘dominant in the air’. Affectionately known as Claff, Billy then moved on to Yoker Athletic, who he helped to a quarter final appearance in 2007. By 2008, he was still playing for Yoker. He played on for another couple of years as a junior, and is maybe still playing……………… unless suspended, of course!