All at Pollok F.C. were saddened to learn of the recent passing of former player Ian Hilley.
While with Muirend Amateurs, Ian had a successful trial for Pollok in the club’s 3-1 home victory over Dunipace on St. Andrew’s Day 1957 leading to his signing for the ‘Lok. On the following two Saturdays he netted hat-tricks, at home to Renfrew in a 5-3 win and away to Vale of Leven in a 6-2 win.
It is unsurprising given those stats that the seniors were attracted to Ian. Bob Shankly, manager of Third Lanark, met with him, and, after a whirlwind Junior career of three games, Ian signed for the Hi-Hi.
He was soon joined at Cathkin Park by his brother Dave, another recruit from Newlandsfield, and together they were part of the Third Lanark side who lost out in the 1959 League Cup Final against Heart of Midlothian.
Despite his cup final appearance, Ian was never really a first team regular at Cathkin and moved on to Berwick Rangers for the 1960-1 season. He netted three times in 19 appearances for The Borderers before returning to Pollok for the 1961-2 season.
Unfortunately for Ian, the emergence of Felix McGrogan and Billy Best in the wide areas, both who would go on to have long senior careers, restricted his game time, but he was in the side which lost out in the Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final to Glenafton Athletic on 24th March 1962 in front of a crowd estimated at the 7,700 mark.
The club passes on its sincerest condolences to Ian’s loved ones at this sad time.
Ian’s granddaughter Amanda is raising money to support East Park Gardens Care Home who looked after him in his final days, and you can support that campaign here.