| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Willam Thornton | ||
| Date of birth | (1920-03-03)3 March 1920 | ||
| Place of birth | Winchburgh, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 26 August 1991(1991-08-26) (aged 71) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1936–1954 | Rangers | 219 | (138) |
| International career | |||
| 1946–1952 | Scotland | 8 | (1) |
| 1949 | Scottish Football League XI[1] | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1954–1959 | Dundee | ||
| 1959–1968 | Partick Thistle | ||
| 1969 | Rangers(caretaker) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
William ThorntonMM (3 March 1920 – 26 August 1991) was a Scottishfootballer andmanager. Thornton's entire senior playing career was spent withRangers, and Thornton is considered to be one of the greatest players in the club's history.
Thornton played for Rangers from 1936 to 1954, then became a manager with firstDundee and thenPartick Thistle. Thornton later returned to Rangers as assistant manager toDavie White in the summer of 1968 and was brieflycaretaker manager in 1969 after White's dismissal. Thornton then worked as assistant toWilliam Waddell until 1972. The club won the two matches when Thornton was in charge. Thornton is one of Scotland's all-time top goalscorers, with 138 league goals.
Thornton served inWorld War II in theScottish Horse fighting in the Italian campaign at thebattle of Anzio, and winning theMilitary Medal for his bravery during theinvasion of Sicily.[2] Later in the war, Thornton played football for aBritish Eighth Army team that also includedGeorge Hamilton andTom Finney.[3]
Thornton died on 26 August 1991, aged 71 years old.[citation needed]
  | This biographical article related to association football in Scotland, about a forward born in the 1920s, is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
