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William Robertson (footballer, born 1874)

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This article is about the Welsh footballer. For other people of the same name, see William Robertson (disambiguation).

William Robertson
Personal information
Full name William Robertson[1]
Date of birth (1874-04-08)8 April 1874[1]
Place of birth Dumbarton, Scotland[a]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Inside forward / Wing half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Renfrew Victoria
1894–1896 Abercorn 25 (12)
1896–1899 Small Heath 92 (14)
1899–1902 Bristol Rovers
1902–1903 Small Heath 0 (0)
1903–190? Bristol Rovers
Workington
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William Robertson (8 April 1874 – after 1904) was a Scottish professional footballer who played for Abercorn, Small Heath and Bristol Rovers between 1894 and 1903.

Life and career

Robertson was born in Dumbarton, Scotland.[1][a] He played football for Renfrew Victoria before joining Abercorn in 1894.[1][3]

Robertson joined English First Division club Small Heath in February 1896,[4] and played eight times before the team were relegated at the end of the season.[1] Having started his career as an inside forward, he had more success after a switch to wing half, and made more than 100 appearances in all competitions for the club.[4] According to the Bristol Mercury, writing when Robertson first joined Bristol Rovers in 1899, "Last season he was looked upon as the best half in the Small Heath team."[2] While a Bristol Rovers player, in March 1900, Robertson took part in the Home Scots v Anglo-Scots trial match, alongside namesakes Tom Robertson and Tommy Robertson.[5][6] He later played for Workington.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Earlier sources, including Matthews' Birmingham City: A Complete Record, incorrectly identified Robertson as born in Pontypool, Wales. This should have been incompatible with his participation in the Home Scots v Anglo-Scots trial match, given the strict eligibility criteria in place at the time.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Player search: Robertson, W (William)". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Association Football. Prospects for the Season". Bristol Mercury. 24 August 1899. p. 3.
  3. ^ John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  5. ^ "Football. Scots v. Anglo-Scots". The Herald. Glasgow. 22 March 1900. p. 11.
  6. ^ Bauldie (23 March 1900). "The Cathkin Trial. Its finds and failures". The Scottish Referee. p. 2 – via London Hearts Supporters Club.


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