ATKINSON, John (1905)

Overview

John was an amateur during his career. Came to Hamilton from Port Juniors, a Glasgow club, in 1903, having also been with Earnock Rovers. An outside left, he went to Queen's Park for a spell in 1905, appearing in four League games for them and scoring once, before returning to Douglas Park as a replacement for John Curran.

He became a first team regular the ensuing season when he was played quite often at centre forward where he proved to be a regular goalscorer, as his 9 goals from 5 appearances in the number 9 jersey will testify. John appeared in two Lanarkshire Cup finals with Accies and picked up winners medals both times, in 1905 and 1906.

He was one of the team to play for Accies in their first ever First Division match on 15th August 1907 away to Clyde in front of 2,500 spectators. He then went on loan to Celtic and on his only League outing for them, on 22nd April 1909, against Morton he scored twice in a 5-1 home victory. He also toured the North of Scotland with the Parkhead team.

He came back to Accies and continued to play his part before another move on loan was arranged with Partick Thistle in March 1910, whereupon he yet again came back to his local team.

In October of 1910 he qualified as a doctor and moved to County Durham where he continued to play football. He then travelled abroad, working in Madagascar. Tragically on 26th November 1914, at the age of 30, he drowned in an accident off the west coast of Africa. His father lived at Burnbrae Farm, Hamilton.

Debut on 4th March 1905 away to Kilmarnock in West of Scotland League match in which he scored.

Scottish League 97 Appearances 27 Goals (1 Hat trick)

Scottish Qualifying Cup 6 Appearances 3 Goals

Scottish Cup 6 Appearances 1 Goal

Lanarkshire Cup 8 Appearances 1 Goal

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Accies Career

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