John Bethune (footballer)

John Bethune (19 October 1888 – 23 January 1955), also known as Jack Bethune and Jock Bethune,[1][3] was a professional association footballer, who played in both the Scottish Football League and The Football League.

John Bethune
Bethune while with Bristol Rovers in 1921.
Personal information
Full name John Bethune[1]
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)[2]
Place of death Sittingbourne, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1908–1909 Milngavie Allander
1909–1910 Vale of Clyde
1910–1911 Ashfield
1911–1912 Heart of Midlothian 3 (0)
Hamilton Academical
0000–1912 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
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
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Born in Milngavie near Glasgow, Bethune began his career by playing local football in the Glasgow area for Ashfield.[4] 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.[3] 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.[1]

Bethune, who was known to have a quick temper,[3] joined Bristol Rovers in 1920 for their first season as a Football League club but left for a trial with Brentford in 1921.[5] 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.[3]

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.[1][3]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888–1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 25. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. "Bristol Rovers Memorabilia – Football League Players Index". Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  3. Jay, Mike; Byrne, Stephen (1994). Pirates in Profile: A Who's Who of Bristol Rovers Players. Bristol: Potten, Baber & Murray. ISBN 0-9524835-0-5.
  4. "Bethune Jack Image 1 Bristol Rovers 1921". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  5. Byrne, Stephen; Jay, Mike (2003). Bristol Rovers Football Club – The Definitive History 1883–2003. Stroud: Tempus. p. 115. ISBN 0-7524-2717-2.
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