Gordon William Chisholm (born 8 April 1960 in Glasgow) is a Scottish professional football former player and manager. Chisholm played as a central defender for Sunderland, Hibernian, Dundee and Partick Thistle.
After retiring as a player, Chisholm became a coach, working in some of his roles as assistant to Ian McCall. Chisholm succeeded McCall as manager of Dundee United in 2005, and guided the club to the 2005 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 1–0 to Celtic. He was sacked the following season, however, and was subsequently appointed manager of Scottish First Division club Queen of the South. Chisholm guided the club to the 2008 Scottish Cup Final, which they lost 3–2 to Rangers. Chisholm left Queens in 2010 to manage Dundee, but was made redundant when the club went into administration in October 2010.
Playing career
In England
Chisholm started his career at Sunderland where he spent seven years and was a member of the side that reached the final of the Football League Cup in March 1985, where they lost 1–0 to Norwich City. Unfortunately for Chisholm, he deflected Asa Hartford's shot into the net for Norwich's winning goal.
In Scotland
Chisholm moved back to Scotland later that year, when he joined Hibernian for a £65,000 fee. He scored a goal on his Hibs debut, a Scottish League Cup semi-final win against Rangers. He later had spells at Dundee and Partick Thistle before retiring in 1992. Chisholm was a "tall, commanding central defender" who "could also play in the holding midfield role".
As Rangers had already qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League through their league position, Queens entered the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competition. They were drawn in a qualification round against Danish club FC Nordsjælland. The first leg, hosted at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie, was played in a quagmire with the Danes running out 2–1 winners. Queens delivered a stronger performance in the return leg, controlling most of the game but with only one goal to show for their superiority. With a 1–0 victory of no value in an aggregate result due to the away goals rule and Queens pushing all out for the second goal, the Danes took advantage to score two goals in the last five minutes.
A strong start to the 2008–09 league campaign saw the club sitting top of the table in October. This coincided with Queens losing form, as they gained only three draws from the next 12 games placing them only one place above bottom. Their form improved in the latter part of the season and the club finished in mid-table. Chisholm applied for the vacant managerial position at Kilmarnock, but the job was taken by Jimmy Calderwood. Two months later, Chisholm was offered the vacant position at Dundee. Chisholm made the following comments after leaving QoS:
Dundee
Chisholm took the Dundee job while they were top of the First Division, although the club had just sacked Jocky Scott after going four games without a win. Chisholm said ahead of his first game in charge, "It was an opportunity I just couldn't pass by at my time of life, but it will be a strange experience being on opposite sides tomorrow night." Chisholm was the first person to manage both major Dundee clubs.
East Fife
After leaving Dundee in October 2010 and spending over a year out of professional football, Chisholm set up an estate agent business with his wife. Chisholm was then appointed as international development coach with Sunderland.
References
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