William Wallace
Manager Profile

Biography

Mr William Wallace took up the reigns as Dundee Football Clubs first ever manager around March/April of 1899. The club had been facing some trouble on and off the park and were in the middle of moving from their home ground of Carolina Port to Dens Park.

With the company, Dundee Football Athletic .Ltd, going bankrupt, a committee was appointed at a public meeting which was put together for the reconstruction of the club. This resulted in Mr. Wallace being unanimously appointed by the directors to become Honorary Secretary, stepping into the role of retiring Tom Shaw.

His initial aim to secure funds to help the club, so Wallace organised a 'Bazaar' which would run for three days. This would be held at the Kinnaird Hall on the on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of December. The three day event raised £925 3s 2d from various stalls.

With the club moving to Dens Park, Wallace was also responsible in the layout of the pitch and construction of the buildings.

While manager of Dundee, he would lead the club to two Scottish Cup Semi Finals and three runner up placings in the league. More importantly, he led Dundee to their only Scottish Cup victory so far in 1910.

Wallace would remain as Dundee manager until February 21st 1919 when he had to unfortunately resigned for health reasons. Straight away, the club would advertise for a player-manager to take over from the departing Wallace.

His resignation was submitted and accepted during a meeting of the directors on February 25th 1919. It was stated that Mr. Wallace was advised by his medical advisor that he should relinquish his role.

Before his time with Dundee, Wallace a prominent cross-country runner, was a member of the Airlie Club and later on, the Dundee Harriers. He would then become an official of the Hawkhill Harriers.

He would then turn his attention to football but only in an administrative capacity and became an official at Forthill Athletic, then becoming the first chairman of Forfarshires Football association.

Wallace was also an official handicapper for the Scottish Amateur Athletic Association, and was also in the jute trade along with being a well-know figure at the Royal Exchange.

He passed away in the Royal Infirmary on the 26th August 1926 after battling an illness for several weeks.