David "Derek" Whiteford (born 13 May 1947 in Salsburgh)[3] was a Scottish football player and manager. He played for Hibernian,[3] Airdrieonians, Dumbarton[2] and Falkirk.[4][5]

Derek Whiteford
Personal information
Full name David Whiteford[1]
Date of birth (1947-05-13)13 May 1947
Place of birth Salsburgh, Scotland
Date of death 2002 (aged 54–55)
Place of death Shotts, Scotland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Broxburn Athletic
1964–1967 Hibernian 1 (0)
1967–1977 Airdrieonians 316 (80)
1977–1979 Dumbarton 78 (24)
1979–1980 Falkirk 12 (2)
Total 407 (106)
Managerial career
1981–1982 Albion Rovers
1986 Dumbarton
1986–1987 Airdrieonians
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Whiteford started his senior career with Hibernian, but was unable to establish himself in the first team and was given a free transfer.[6] He signed for Airdrie and served the club with distinction, making over 400 total appearances including the 1975 Scottish Cup Final in which he was captain (lost to Celtic)[6][7] as well as winning 1973–74 Scottish Division Two title and 1976 Spring Cup, plus another runner-up medal from the 1971–72 Texaco Cup. In 2016 he was voted into the Diamonds 'Greatest XI' by supporters.[8]

After retiring as a player, Whiteford managed Albion Rovers, Dumbarton (alongside Alex Wright) and then Airdrieonians.[6] He resigned as Airdrie manager in 1987 because he lost enjoyment for the game, and decided to concentrate on his then principal career as a physical education teacher.[6]

Whiteford died in 2002, aged 54.[6] His uncle Jock[9][10] and cousins Davie and Jocky Whiteford (a teammate at Airdrie and Dumbarton) were also footballers.[11][12]

Managerial statistics

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Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Albion Rovers[13] December 1981 November 1982 44 13 9 22 029.55
Dumbarton[14] February 1986 May 1986 17 6 5 6 035.29
Airdrieonians[15] August 1986 May 1987 47 20 12 15 042.55
Total 108 39 26 43 036.11

References

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  1. ^ Statutory registers - Deaths - Search results Archived 26 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine, ScotlandsPeople
  2. ^ a b Derek Whiteford Player Profile, Sons Archive
  3. ^ a b "[Hibernian player] Whiteford, Derek". FitbaStats. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  4. ^ Derek Whiteford at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  5. ^ Derek Whiteford, Better Meddle...
  6. ^ a b c d e Bob Crampsey (21 January 2002). "Derek Whiteford". The Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  7. ^ To Celtic cup No. 24, to Airdrie our thanks, Ian Archer, The Glasgow Herald, 5 May 1975
  8. ^ Airdrie's Greatest Midfielder - Derek Whiteford, Airdrieonians FC, 1 April 2016
  9. ^ Whiteford, John (1940), Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
  10. ^ Stirling Albion: 1947/48 - 2013/14, Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database
  11. ^ Davie Whiteford, MotherWELLnet
  12. ^ Sporting Whitefords, The Whiteford Web Resource Centre. Retrieved 26 August 2021
  13. ^ (Albion Rovers manager) Whiteford, Derek, FitbaStats
  14. ^ [(Dumbarton manager) Wright, Alex] [see 1985/1986 season], FitbaStats
  15. ^ (Airdrieonians (1878)) Results For Season 1986/1987 in All Competitions, FitbaStats