WILSON, Andrew (1917)

Overview

Andy was dubbed the best centre forward of the early 1920’s. He was excellent at linking his fellow forwards. Born in Newmains on February 15th 1896 he signed for Middlesbrough from Cambuslang Rangers in 1914. When war broke out he returned to Scotland and assisted a few clubs, most notably Heart of Midlothian. He was at centre forward when they lost in the Final of the Victory Cup to St Mirren.

Another of his war time clubs was Dunfermline Athletic, and of course Accies, with whom, on his debut he scored twice in the final League game versus Raith Rovers in April, 1917. Eight months later he again turned out for the club and again hit the net twice. While at East End Park he made the first of his twelve appearances for Scotland. These were all consecutive against each of the home countries from 1920 until 1923. He won 2 Scottish Victory caps in 1918-19.

In the by now annual contest between the Home Scots and the Anglos he played for the home lads at Cathkin on 22nd March 1921 and he scored in a 2-1 win. Exactly a year later he played again only this time he was in the Anglos eleven in a 1-1 draw.

He had left the Fife club in 1921 to rejoin Middlesbrough and in his time there he scored 57 goals in 90 appearances. A fee of £6,000, then a record was paid by Chelsea to take him to London in November 1923. That season he was the top scorer for both clubs. On 4th May 1925 at White Hart Lane he was a member of the Professionals of the South side which defeated their amateur counterparts by 9-0. No details of the scorers. He spent just a month short of eight years at Stamford Bridge before going to Queen’s Park Rangers.

A spell in France with Nimes FC came about in May 1933 before he became trainer/manager to Clacton Town in 1934. In July of that year he won the Lonsdale Bowling Championship which was organised by the London and County Association. The Clacton post was a short appointment because in September 1934 he took over the job of managing Walsall until February 1937, subsequently Gravesend and Northfleet manager and a Chelsea scout.

A shattered left arm, as a result of a war time injury in 1918 was overcome and said a lot for his strength of will and character. He later was employed as a clerk with the Ministry of Works and played bowls for England. His death came about on 15th October 1973. His son, Jimmy was on Chelsea’s books in the 1950’s.

5’8” and 12sts 6lbs.

Debut on 28th April 1917 in a Scottish League match at home to Raith Rovers in which he scored twice.

Scottish League 4 Appearances 5 Goals

Accies Career