William Robertson (footballer, born 1907)

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]

William Robertson
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)
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
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)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

edit

Robertson was born in Falkirk and played for King's Park and Ayr United[3] 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

edit

Source:[4]

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

edit
Ayr United
Stoke City
Manchester United

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ "Reading. Newcomers with big reputations". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. xii – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ William Robertson at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
edit