Man About Town. Willie Stevenson

Published in Beartown Voice - July 2025

By Mark Edwardson

Regular readers will know I like to keep this column on the lighter side. Well, this month I'm going to break with that tradition in an attempt to celebrate a life well lived.

Many of us knew Willie Stevenson as a Congleton character, cherished friend, beloved family member or football legend, He was born in Leith and spent most of his life in Congleton.

Willie's professional career started at Glasgow Rangers where he won the Scottish League and Scottish Cup.

In 1962 a certain Bill Shankly came calling and Willie couldn't resist. His career at Anfield is probably his most notable professional period. Willie says Bill Shankly told him, "Come to Liverpool son and we'll win things." How right he was.

Willie, a determined centre half, was instrumental in the club's league title successes in 1964 and 1966 and their first FA Cup final victory in between. In the final he dribbled past four Leeds defenders during the build up to Roger Hunt's goal. Willie was also a three-time winner of the FA Charity Shield with Liverpool.

At Stoke City he played under another legendary manager, Tony Waddington. Willie made 112 appearances for the Potters scoring another seven times. Willie was instrumental in Stoke's progression to the 1972 League Cup final. But he missed the match through injury. It must have been extremely frustrating for a player who took his fitness extremely seriously. Later in his career he played for Tranmere Rovers, the Vancouver White Caps and Macclesfield Town. In 547 professional matches he scored 26 times. A modern midfielder with stats like that would be an expensive pick on FIFA.

And after all his success Willie was still a modest man. He would talk about his playing days but there was a limit. Heaven knows I tried but he didn't wish to appear big headed.

Like a lot of retired footballers of his vintage Willie became a publican. He and his parter, Sonia ran The Kings Head in Macclesfield from 1976. It was a very hot summer and people were thirsty. Business was so brisk Willie hired lorries to get people to drive around to get beer from anywhere he could because it was in short supply.

Willie loved Congleton and the surrounding area. For Willie it was the people of Congleton that kept him here and, in particular, a local girl. That was his partner of fifty years, Sonia.

Willie's favourite Congleton haunt was The Moss. He was a frequent sight and well known to all the regulars. Sadly, the pub closed, despite Willie's best efforts, and was demolished. Mercifully, The Wharf was even nearer to their home. Willie, Sonia and their huge circle of friends set themselves up in there. Much to the delight of the landlord!

Willie never forgot his footballing friends. He'd regularly be picked up by former goalie, Mike McDonald to join his former teammates from Stoke City for a Tuesday coffee and chat.

I'm sure Willie Stevenson is already a permanent member of Bill Shankly's Heavenly Eleven. And I'm certain, Willie, you'll never walk alone.

All information accurate as of July 2025.