User:Canderson87/Derek Hamilton

Derek "Moonman" Hamilton (born 26 August 1958 in Kilwinning) is a retired Scottish football player. His position was Full Back.

Hamilton was first noticed playing for local club Stewarton Annick when he was picked up by Beith Juniors, from there he was noticed by Aberdeen signed a full professional contract in 1978. A few months later he experienced his first involvement with the first team squad when Sir Alex Ferguson called him into the first team squad, he went onto play 34 times for Aberdeen, scoring 3 Goals. Derek was then transferred to St. Mirren in 1983, where he played under Jim Clunie until the 1988 season when he moved onto Irvine Meadow.

The main highlight in Hamilton's career came when he played in the 1987 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden for St. Mirren in front of 51, 782 supporters. Winning the Scottish Cup against Dundee United. The match itself went to extra time, with Iain Ferguson scoring the only goal of the game in extra time. It was St. Mirren's third Scottish Cup win in there 110 year history. This was the last year, as of 2009, that the Scottish Cup has been one by a team fully composed of Scottish players. Moreover, this was the last Scottish Cup final, as of 2009, where all players competing and both managers were Scottish. The other major cup final Hamilton reached was the 1979 Scottish League Cup final between Aberdeen and again Dundee Utd, the first leg (8 December 1979) ended goalless with Hamilton coming on from the subs bench at Dens Park in front of 27,173 supporters. This of course meant a replay, which was to be played on the 12 December 1979, again at Dens Park and again Hamilton came onto the park as a substitute but the game was won by Dundee Utd by 3-0, two goals by Pettigrew and a third by Sturrock sealed Aberdeen's fate.

Another highlight of Hamilton's career was the thrilling last minute goal he scored against Rangers in the 3-2 win on 12 January 1980, Hamilton started the match and within 2 minuted Strachan had put Aberdeen ahead with a 20 yard screamer, Although just after half time Rangers led 2-1 with goals from J. MacDonald and Jackson. This sprung Aberdeen into life and Hamilton had a key hand in the second goal as he assisted and squared the ball for Archibald to easily tap in. Then the dramatic moment, with less than a minute to go Hamilton sends the Aberdeen fans into raptures with a goal at the death to secure the points for Aberdeen.