GRAHAM, Alex (1917)

Overview

It is more than possible that John Graham (1904) and Alex are one and the same as he was born in Hurlford and was reported to have played for Accies early in his footballing career while with Hurlford United before coming to Lanarkshire where he then played for Larkhall United in 1911 and Larkhall Thistle, hence the reason why he was often referred to as hailing from Larkhall.

He is said to have gone to Woolwich Arsenal as the Highbury club were then called in January 1912. He came to Douglas Park in January 1917 when the English Leagues were suspended during World War One. He had also appeared for Vale of Leven.

In a charity match at Douglas Park in May 1917, he scored 8 times in a 10-0 win over Motherwell. The ball was suitably inscribed and presented to him. The majority of his appearances while attached to Douglas Park were at centre forward.

Accies fans were disappointed when he left the club in 1918 to play for Third Lanark. Near the end of the same season he returned as a guest and played at left half in the final League match of the term, then he turned out in the Lanarkshire Cup ties against Motherwell and Airdrieonians.

While with Arsenal he had a Benefit Match on 22nd April 1922 when a crowd of 40,000 turned up against Tottenham Hotspur. Alex scored the only goal from a penalty. In his spell at Highbury he appeared in 166 League games with 17 goals to his name.

He could perform equally efficiently at centre forward or at centre half and it was in he latter position that he was best remembered at Arsenal where he was revered until his move to Brentford in November 1924. He decided to retire at the close of the season and was appointed as their assistant manager in December 1925.

Capped for Scotland against Northern Ireland in 1921, even although he got a good press he was never again the wearer of a Scotland jersey. A ball playing defender not given to the lofted pass, he liked to keep the ball on he ground.

He was 5’9” and 11sts 7lbs. Born on 11th July 1890 at Hurlford, his death took place in 1971.

Debut on 6th January 1917 on a Scottish League match at home to Morton.

Scottish League 45 Appearances 22 Goals (1 Hat trick)

Lanarkshire Cup 3 Appearances 1 Goal

Accies Career

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