Winger Willie Lennie really put Aberdeen FC on the map by becoming the first Don to get a full Scottish international honours. Lennie was 23 when he joined Aberdeen from Fulham during the 1905 close season. His signing was calculated to be an important part of the club's attempt to add some real class for their first season in the Scottish First Division, but in many ways it was a gamble as well. Glasgow born Lennie had enjoyed one season spells at Queens Park, Rangers, Dundee and then Fulham since his days at Maryhill Juniors and there was an obvious question whether he intended to make Pittodrie the latest in a long line of quick stops. In the end Willie stayed 8 years and in that time set new marks for the club with 67 League and Scottish Cup goals. His 251 appearances was also a new record.
Most important was his flair. From the outset it was clear that the "Black and Golds" had unearthed a real nugget in Lennie but the best of the winger wasn't realised until Irish inside left Charlie O'Hagan arrived at Pittodrie from Middlesbrough in December 1906. The two struck up an immediate understanding and in the days when opposition players were watched with some enthusiasm their superb left side combination play became a major attraction of the period.
Indeed O'Hagan can legitimately claim to becoming the first "capped" Don when he was selected by Ireland in February 1907. Just over a year later Lennie made his little bit of club history when he was picked to play for Scotland in a March 1908 international against Wales at Dens Park. Willie proved his ability by scoring the winning goal in Scotland's 2-1 win. Later the same year he played again against Ireland with Charlie O'Hagan playing on the other side but alas for Willie that was to be his last taste of international football. He remained a crowd pleaser at Pittodrie until his £30 transfer to Falkirk at the end of the 1912-13 season and on O'Hagan's departure established another great partnership with you inside-left and future Aberdeen manager Pat Travers. Having married an Aberdeen girl, he returned to Aberdeen after his playing days and was a successful newsagent for many years. Later emigrated to the USA.
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