William Robertson (footballer, born 1874)

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.

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[lower-alpha 1]
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

Life and career

Robertson was born in Dumbarton, Scotland.[1][lower-alpha 1] 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. 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. "Player search: Robertson, W (William)". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  2. "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. 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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