Bill McCall – or “Willie” as he was called in Scotland – had been born “William Coupland”, but had soon taken the name of his step-grandfather, James McCall. Having captained Scotland Schoolboys, his professional career was delayed by the First World War, in which he served, with the 5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, in France and Egypt. Joining Queen of the South after the War,

he proved to be an outside-left who could score a few goals.

Whisked away to the Football League by Blackburn Rovers, he could not get a regular game in Division I. His move to Second Division Wolves was short-lived, for he was very soon exchanged with George Getgood from that division’s new boys, Southampton. He started well for the Saints, confirming on debut that he could score from the left-wing, and he played in half of the remaining games, sharing the position with Len Andrews.

After which, he was ready to leave and refused a retaining fee. He was transfer listed at £500, although after he had gone on loan to Queen of the South in November 1924, Saints finally accepted a £250 fee from them the following September. His final career-move was to Carlisle. But he returned, without getting a game there, to Dumfrieshire, where he coached juniors at Troqueer and worked in the Caledonian bus-garage.