John Bethune (footballer)

John Bethune

Personal information
Full name	John Bethune
Date of birth	(1888-10-19)19 October 1888
Place of birth	Milngavie, Scotland
Date of death	23 January 1955(1955-01-23) (aged 66)
Place of death	Sittingbourne, England
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s)	Full back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
000?–1912	Ashfield
1912	Heart of Midlothian	3	(0)
1912	Darlington
1912–1920	Barnsley	103	(1)
1920–1921	Bristol Rovers	30	(0)
1921–1922	Brentford	10	(0)
1922–1927	Sittingbourne
1927–?	Sittingbourne Paper Mills
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Bethune (19 October 1888–23 January 1955), also known as Jack Bethune and Jock Bethune, was a professional association footballer, who played in both the Scottish Football League and The Football League.

Born in Milngavie near Glasgow, Bethune began his career by playing local football in the Glasgow area for Ashfield. He joined Edinburgh-based side Heart of Midlothian in 1912, for whom he played three times in the Scottish League in a brief spell with them before moving to English clubs Darlington and then Barnsley still within 1912. He settled in Barnsley for almost eight years in a period that was interrupted by the First World War, making over 100 Football League appearances for them.

Bethune, who was known to have a quick temper, joined Bristol Rovers in 1920 for their first season as a Football League club but left for a trial with Brentford in 1921. He played six League games during his trial, and a further four after signing for them permanently, but an injury suffered on Boxing Day that year ended his League career.

He went on to play non-League football for Sittingbourne and Sittingbourne Paper Mills, and after retiring as a footballer represented England at indoor bowls in 1936 and 1938.