[6] After a short spell in the Junior grade with Cambuslang Rangers[7] (which had quickly escalated from a casual kickaround with workmates at the nearby steel works),[3][8] in early 1970 he was signed by Aberdeen whose scout Bobby Calder offered generous terms to persuade him to move north with Celtic also showing interest.

[4] He played in five league matches during his first season with the club, and despite his inexperience, he was given a place in the starting line-up for the 1970 Scottish Cup Final by manager Eddie Turnbull.

Having been capped at under-23 level at Aberdeen,[10] Graham's international career seemed to be over prematurely when he was one of a group of squad players (including Billy Bremner and Joe Harper) 'banned for life' after an incident in Copenhagen in 1975.

[3][11] He was later reprieved, and won a total of 11 full international caps for Scotland while playing for Leeds, making his debut against East Germany in 1977.

He cited his schoolteacher, Eddie Turnbull, Teddy Scott, Jimmy Bonthrone and Ally MacLeod as having the biggest influences on his career.

[12] Graham has spent time coaching youngsters at the Leeds United Academy and at football schools in the Wetherby area where he settled[3] - often working with Jimmy Lumsden.