Playing Career
MacLeod started his playing career at Third Lanark as a provisional signing as a schoolboy in 1947. He made his first team debut against Stirling Albion at Cathkin Park on 6 November 1949.
Despite Stirling being victorious 4-2 MacLeod frequently joked that his was a debut with a difference - although he did not set the local heather on fire, someone else did! As the teams trooped off the field at the end of the match, Cathkin's grandstand was ablaze. The players had to run into the dressing room, grab their clothes and race out as four fire engines had arrived to tackle the fire.
In 1953, MacLeod was in the Thirds side which trounced Alloa Athletic in the League Cup opener, 10-0. Sitting 8-0 up, MacLeod's team mates' main objective was to get him on the scoresheet. He had set up five goals but had missed several sitters himself. A left foot rocket shot, and a simple tap in took Thirds tally to 10. He joined the Royal Scots for National Service but was still able to turn out for the Thirds.
MacLeod was reluctant to move to St. Mirren in 1956, but having secured a guarantee that the reported £8,000 fee would tremendously help Third Lanark's survival, he moved on. He spent only six weeks at St Mirren before moving to English team Blackburn Rovers.
Managed by fellow Scot Dally Duncan MacLeod was man of the match in the 1960 FA Cup Final, but the game was lost 3-0 to Wolves. While at Blackburn he made strenuous efforts along with the PFA steward Jimmy Hill to help abolish the maximum wage, but when subsequently his promised wage increase was not forthcoming, while other players in the team were raised from £20 to £25 per week, he entered into discussions with Hibernian. When Blackburn realised that they were going to lose him to Hibs they matched their offer with an increase from £20 to £25. MacLeod, having already accepted Hibs' offer, felt he could not go back on his word, so left Blackburn to go back to Scotland.
He played with Hibs until 1963, when he returned to Third Lanark. In 1964 he signed for Ayr United, where he finished his playing career, with no major honours won.
Read more about this topic: Ally MacLeod
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