Tributes to WA soccer great Hannigan
WA soccer is paying tribute to one of its own following the death this week of colourful Scotsman Ernie Hannigan.
The 72-year-old Glaswegian - a big mate of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - died on Thursday following a battle with cancer.
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Hannigan played top-flight football in England before moving to Perth in 1973, and was inducted into WA soccer's Hall of Fame three years ago.
Former Everton captain Mike Lyons, who has known Hannigan since moving to Perth nearly 15 years ago, said he was a one-off.
“He was a really popular guy, everyone who knew him loved him,” Lyons said.
“He just had this infectious laugh, you couldn’t help but like him.
“A group of us catch up every Wednesday night at Kulcha (cafe) in Joondalup, just basically to talk about football. He was always there. He was also a regular at the Celtic Supporters Club down at Rosie O’Grady’s in Northbridge.
“He’d been ill for a bit but it’s still very, very sad. He’ll be sorely missed by everyone.”
More than 200 people gathered at Rosie O’Grady’s last Saturday for a tribute night for Hannigan, although he was too ill to attend.
A winger with Queen of the South in Scotland, and Preston North End and Coventry City in England, Hannigan also had short spells in Hong Kong and with New York Cosmos.
In Perth he played for Stirling City and Morley Windmills, where he was player-coach when they won the 1975 D’Orsogna Cup.
Hannigan was player-coach at Stirling Macedonia and Spearwood Dalmatinac, too, and briefly coached Inglewood.
He played 12 times for the WA State team, making his debut against a touring Aberdeen side in 1974
Former Perth Glory coach Alan Vest was Hannigan’s coach with the WA State side in the mid-1970s.
“Ernie was a great player and it was very sad to hear,” Vest said. “He was a typical winger and always played well for the State team.”
Vest said Ferguson called Hannigan last week after he learnt how ill his friend was.
In 2012, the legendary manager sent a signed shirt and personal message to Hannigan when he was inducted into the WA Hall of Fame.
"I had to read it twice as I was thinking it must be the Hall of the Infamous," Ferguson wrote.
"No sincerely Ernie, well done. I can go back all those years when we were young scallywags running around the streets of Glasgow and always valued your friendship then, as I do now.
"The great constant factor in all the time I've known you is your enthusiasm and love for football. That has never wavered and to me that is special."
Hannigan, who lived with his wife Jenny in Woodlands, said he would regularly cross paths with Ferguson at railway stations when the pair where travelling to their respective games in Scotland.
“Fergie never forgets you. I go home every two years and I see him nearly every time,” Hannigan told thewest.com.au three years ago.
On a separate occasion he remembered seeing Ferguson in the team hotel in Moscow before United’s 2008 Champions League final triumph over Chelsea.
After United’s penalty shoot-out success, Hannigan returned to the hotel where the celebrations were in full swing.
Although Ferguson did not stay too long - he told Hannigan he could not be seen partying with the players - that did not stop Hannigan from kicking on and he even recalled dancing with England star Wayne Rooney.
Football West chairman Liam Twigger said Hannigan won admirers both as a player and person.
“Ernie was an outstanding winger, who was such an exciting player to watch,” Twigger said. “He made a fabulous contribution to football in WA and will be sadly missed.”
