William Robertson (Scottish footballer)
William Seymour Robertson (20 April 1907 – 1980) was a Scottish footballer who played at right half. He played for King's Park, Ayr United, Stoke City, Manchester United, and Reading.[1]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | William Seymour Robertson[1] | ||
Date of birth | 20 April 1907[1] | ||
Place of birth | Falkirk, Scotland[1] | ||
Date of death | 1980 (aged 72–73) | ||
Position(s) | Right half | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1925–1927 | King's Park | 64 | (9) |
1927–1929 | Ayr United | 79 | (7) |
1929–1934 | Stoke City | 117 | (3) |
1934–1935 | Manchester United | 47 | (1) |
1935–1936 | Reading | 24 | (0) |
Total | 188 | (4) | |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Career
Robertson was born in Falkirk and played for King's Park and Ayr United[2] before joining English side Stoke City in August 1929.[1] It took him until 1930–31 to establish himself in Tom Mather's first team playing in 23 matches. He made the right half position his own in 1931–32 missing just two matches and then played in 40 matches in 1932–33 as Stoke won the Second Division title.[1] After playing in 11 Football League First Division games in 1933–34 Robertson lost his place to the younger Arthur Tutin and he was sold to Manchester United in March 1934.[1] He helped the club avoid relegation to the Third Division North and played 39 matches in 1934–35 as the "Red Devils" finished in 5th place. He only played once in 1935–36 losing his place to James Brown and was sold to Third Division South side Reading. He spent two seasons at Elm Park making 24 appearances before retiring.
Career statistics
Source:[3]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Stoke City | 1929–30 | Second Division | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
1930–31 | Second Division | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
1931–32 | Second Division | 38 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 43 | 1 | |
1932–33 | Second Division | 39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
1933–34 | First Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
Total | 117 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 126 | 3 | ||
Manchester United | 1933–34 | Second Division | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
1934–35 | Second Division | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
1935–36 | Second Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 47 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 1 | ||
Reading | 1935–36 | Third Division South | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
1936–37 | Third Division South | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
Total | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
Career total | 188 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 200 | 4 |
Honours
- Ayr United
- Scottish Division Two champions: 1927–28
- Stoke City
- Football League Second Division champions: 1932–33
- Manchester United
- Football League Second Division champions: 1935–36
References
- Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
- John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. Cite journal requires
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(help) - William Robertson at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)