Fraser Wishart is a Scottish

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

 former professional footballer, former Secretary of the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association

Scottish Professional Footballers' Association

The Professional Footballers' Association Scotland is the association for professional footballers in Scotland. It was formerly known as the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association , but that organisation was dissolved and replaced by PFA Scotland in 2007. PFA Scotland is affiliated to the ...

, and current chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland. He is also a regular radio and television commentator, especially on Radio Clyde's Superscoreboard.

Playing career

After a successful career winning many trophies with Eastercraigs Boys Club and Giffnock North, Fraser signed for Pollok Juniors in 1982. Only one season, including international recognition, was required for him to come to the attention of several Scottish Premier League teams. Motherwell

Motherwell

Motherwell is a town and former burgh in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, south east of Glasgow. The name "Moderwelt" appears on a map of Lanarkshire made by Timothy Pont some time between 1583 and 1611 and printed in the Netherlands in around 1652, although the settlement was probably little more...

 manager Bobby Watson made the decisive move and signed Fraser as the new right back for his youthful Motherwell team in 1983. Former Rangers midfielder Tommy McLean

Tommy McLean

Thomas "Tommy" McLean is a Scottish former professional footballer who played for Kilmarnock and Rangers....

 took over at Motherwell

Motherwell

Motherwell is a town and former burgh in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, south east of Glasgow. The name "Moderwelt" appears on a map of Lanarkshire made by Timothy Pont some time between 1583 and 1611 and printed in the Netherlands in around 1652, although the settlement was probably little more...

 shortly afterwards and under the close attention of the new manager, Fraser developed into an established defender, playing both right and left back (mainly right) and making the number 2 shirt his own. Motherwell's team benefited from several young stars of the future including Fraser, Andy Walker

Andy Walker

Andy Walker is a Canadian television personality and journalist.He is best known as having been a co-host alongside Leo Laporte and Amber MacArthur of Call for Help, a technology help television program on G4techTV Canada in Canada and the HOW TO Channel in Australia...

 and Tom Boyd

Tom Boyd

Thomas "Tom" Boyd MBE is a retired footballer and current manager of the Celtic U-17.He played for Motherwell, Chelsea and Celtic, and played 72 times for Scotland, which means he is a member of the Scotland national football team roll of honour.-Motherwell:Boyd's distinguished professional career...

, blended with the experience of older pro's such as Tom McAdam

Tom McAdam

Tom McAdam is a Scottish former footballer who played as a defender for a number of British clubs, spending around half of his career with Celtic. His brother, Colin, was also a professional footballer, who played for Rangers at the same time as Tom was with Celtic.-External links:*...

 and Bobby Russell

Bobby Russell

Bobby Russell was an American singer and songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he charted five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the crossover pop hit "Saturday Morning Confusion." Russell was also married to singer and actress Vicki Lawrence from 1972 to 1974.-Career:Russell wrote...

.

Fraser's contract ended in 1989 with interest from many clubs in Scotland and England. St Mirren made the successful offer, with a transfer tribunal settling the fee at £285,000 and his three year spell at St Mirren began. Fraser faced some injury challenges and changes in the club manager, Tony Fitzpatrick, to David Hay

David Hay

David Hay is a former Scottish footballer. After completing secondary education at St Mirin's Academy in Paisley he signed for Celtic in 1966 and became one of the so called 'Quality Street Kids', the great Celtic reserve team that also included players such as Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari, Danny...

. Although not always his most settled spell as a professional, Fraser had the opportunity to play alongside Spanish international midfielder Victor

Victor

-Roman Catholics:Popes:*Saint Pope Victor I *Pope Victor II *Blessed Pope Victor III Antipopes:*Antipope Victor IV *Antipope Victor IV Bishops of Chur:*Victor I, Bishop of Chur, seventh century...

 and former Scotland star Steve Archibald

Steve Archibald

Steven Archibald is a former Scottish football player and manager.- Club career :He first came to prominence playing in midfield for Scottish First Division side Clyde, but was converted to striker when he signed for Aberdeen, forging a prolific partnership with Joe Harper...

. Further highlights included a 3-0 victory over Celtic

Celtic

The words Celt and Celtic can refer to:In ethno-linguistics:*Celts, a people of the Celtic nations*Celts , the modern Celtic identity*Celtic languages...

 at Parkhead in a St Mirren team which included future Celtic star Paul Lambert

Paul Lambert

Paul Christopher Lambert is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the manager of Norwich City. He won numerous trophies as a player, winning the Scottish Cup with St...

 and Icelandic International Gunni Torfason.

Fraser signed for Falkirk

Falkirk

Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....

 at the end of his 3 year contract with St Mirren and although Falkirk were ultimately relegated that season, Fraser enjoyed a season of attack minded football under the guidance of Jim Jefferies

Jim Jefferies

James "Jim" Jefferies is a Scottish football former player and manager. Jefferies played for Heart of Midlothian for almost his whole playing career and enjoyed a successful first managerial spell with the club, winning the 1998 Scottish Cup...

. The other notable point was coming to the attention of Walter Smith

Walter Smith

Walter Smith, OBE is a Scottish football manager. His most recent job was at Scottish Premier League club Rangers.Smith had a relatively modest playing career, consisting of two spells with Dundee United which was split by a short time at Dumbarton.A pelvic injury meant he moved in to coaching at...

 when playing well against Rangers

Rangers F.C.

Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...

. Despite an offer from Middlesboro, Fraser signed for Rangers in July 1993 and started the highest profile spell of his professional career.

External links