Name:
William Kirkwood
Country:
ScotlandClub:
Dundee United FCPosition:
*CMF,
DMF,
SMF,
SB,
SS,
CFSide:
RF/BSAge:
22-26 years (1/9/1958)
Height:
178 cmWeight:
78 kgAttack:
72Defence:
67Balance:
82Stamina:
84Top Speed:
77Acceleration:
77Response:
82 Agility:
74Dribble Accuracy:
74Dribble Speed:
73Short Pass Accuracy:
75Short Pass Speed:
76Long Pass Accuracy:
72Long Pass Speed:
73Shot Accuracy:
76Shot Power:
82Shot Technique:
73Free Kick Accuracy:
68Curling:
66Header:
81Jump:
83Technique:
79Aggression:
77Mentality:
81Goalkeeper Skills:
50Team Work:
75 Injury Tolerance:
BCondition/Fitness:
6Weak Foot Accuracy:
5Weak Foot Frequency:
4Consistency:
6Growth type:
Early/LastingCARDS:
P12 - Enforcer
S01 - Marauding
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Reaction
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO:Billy Kirkwood was a versatile player most known for his contributions to Dundee United's golden era in the early 80s. He was initially signed as a striker but over time established himself in central midfield while also being able to fill in at almost every outfield position. Kirkwood wasn't the most gifted player but he was tough and dedicated, doing a lot of dirty work to allow the rest of the team to play. He was usually deployed as the more attacking of the two central midfielders but was more focused on winning the ball high up the pitch with relentless pressing and fierce tackling, while also having the freedom to make late runs into the box where he was a pretty effective scorer. On the other hand he was pretty rudimentary with the ball, having a very limited passing range and not being particularly adept at carrying the ball forward. He also lacked some kind of positional discipline, often just chasing the ball around. In his 10 years at United he played almost 400 games and scored 70 goals. His biggest importance was during the league winning season in 82/83 and the run to the European Cup semi final in 83/84. He also scored in some important games in United's impressive early 80s runs in the UEFA Cup, including victories over PSV, Gladbach and Monaco. After leaving in 1986, he returned again just in time to play in both legs of the UEFA Cup final against Gothenburg in 1987.