"The former Aberdeen and Arsenal defender Willie Young has died at the age of 73. Young played more than 180 games for the Dons before going on to lift the FA Cup with the Gunners in 1979. He is perhaps best remembered for forcing a change in the laws of the game and the creation of the "professional foul" following his tackle on West Ham forward Paul Allen in the 1980 final of the competition."
"In a statement, Arsenal said his "physicality and commitment made him a cult figure" with the club's supporters. They added: "Reliable, dominant in the air and fearless, his immense contribution to a successful period means he will always be remembered fondly by those who saw his colossal frame repelling attacks and causing havoc to opposition defences at set pieces.""
"But it was his scything down of a then-17-year-old Allen in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham the following year which etched his name in the history of the game. With the forward bearing down on goal in the dying stages, Young cynically hacked him down on the edge of the area, preventing a near-certain goal. He received a yellow card for the incident, but it prompted a national debate on the need for a specific law governing profess"
Willie Young was born in Edinburgh and raised in Heriot, beginning his professional career at Aberdeen in 1970 and making over 180 appearances. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 1975 and transferred to Arsenal in 1977 to reunite with manager Terry Neill. Standing 6ft 3in with trademark ginger hair, he formed a defensive partnership with David O'Leary and reached three successive FA Cup finals, winning in 1979. A 1980 tackle on Paul Allen prevented a likely goal and led to the creation of the "professional foul" law. Arsenal praised his physicality and aerial dominance; Aberdeen expressed sadness at his passing.
Read at www.bbc.com
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