David Mathers (footballer)

David Cochrane Mathers (23 October 1931 – 22 August 2014) was a Scottish footballer, who played as a left-half for Partick Thistle and the Scotland national team.

David Mathers
Personal information
Full name David Cochrane Mathers[1]
Date of birth (1931-10-23)23 October 1931
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Date of death 22 August 2014(2014-08-22) (aged 82)
Place of death Southport, England[2]
Position(s) Left half
Youth career
1947–1949 Partick Thistle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1949–1959 Partick Thistle 180 (9)
1959–1960 Headington/Oxford United
1960–1961 Partick Thistle 0 (0)
1961–1962 East Stirlingshire 11 (1)
Total 191 (10)
International career
1954 Scotland 1 (0)
1956 Scottish League XI 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mathers joined Partick Thistle from Govan High School[3] in 1947 and turned professional two years later, aged 17. He remained there until September 1959, when he joined Southern League team Headington United. That club changed its name to Oxford United the following summer. Mathers returned to Partick in December 1960, but did not make any more first team appearances for the club. He signed for East Stirlingshire in the summer of 1961 and retired after one season there.

Mathers played once for Scotland, against Finland in what was their final preparation match before the 1954 FIFA World Cup finals.[4] Although named in Scotland's 22-man squad for Switzerland, Scotland decided to take only 13 of the 22 to the finals. Mathers stayed at home on reserve, along with the likes of Bobby Combe and Jimmy Binning. Inside forward George Hamilton was also on reserve, but travelled after Bobby Johnstone withdrew through injury. Mathers also represented the Scottish League once, in 1956.[5]

References
  1. Brown, Alan; Tossani, Gabriele (11 April 2019). "Scotland – International Matches 1951–1955". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. Ancestry: Mr David Cochrane Mathers in the England and Wales, Death Index, 1989–2018
  3. Huggins, Percy (22 August 1956). "FIRHILL'S "TWINS" KEEP IN STEP". Evening Times.
  4. David Mathers at the Scottish Football Association
  5. "Davie Mathers – Scotland Football League Record from 05 Sep 1956 to 05 Sep 1956 clubs – Partick Thistle". Londonhearts.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  • Dave Mathers at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database


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