Bobby Atherton
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Atherton | ||
| Date of birth | 29 July 1876[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Bethesda, Gwynedd, Wales[2] | ||
| Date of death | 19 October 1917 (aged 41)[3] | ||
| Playing position |
Midfielder Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Dalry Primrose[3] | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1897 | Heart of Midlothian | ||
| 1897–1903 | Hibernian[3] | 75 | (25) |
| 1903–1906 | Middlesbrough | 60 | (13) |
| 1906 | Chelsea | 0 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1899–1905 | Wales[1] | 9 | (2) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Robert "Bobby" Atherton (29 July 1876 – 19 October 1917) was a Welsh international association football player, who played as a midfielder and forward for Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Hibernian
Although he was born in north Wales, Atherton grew up in Scotland.[3] After spells with Dalry Primrose and Hearts, Atherton signed for Hibs at the start of the 1897–98 season.[3] Atherton was a versatile player who could play in a number of positions in midfield and the forward line.[3] He won his first cap for Wales in a 1899 British Home Championship match against Ireland, and he also played against England that year.[3]
Atherton captained the Hibs side that won the 1902 Scottish Cup,[3] the last time Hibs have won that competition.[4] Hibs' 1–0 win against Celtic in the Cup Final was thanks in part to Atherton deceiving the Celtic defence by shouting for them to "leave the ball" in a Glasgow accent.[4][5] The Celtic defence duly complied, which allowed Andy McGeachen to score the only goal of the game.[4][5] He then captained the Hibs side that won the 1903 league championship, the first in the club's history. He also played in all of Wales' matches in the 1903 British Home Championship.[3]
Middlesbrough
Atherton was transferred to Middlesbrough in 1903, and he became the first Middlesbrough player to win international honours.[3] He also scored his two international goals while with Middlesbrough. The first was in a 1–1 draw with Scotland at Dens Park,[6][7] and the second was in a 2–2 draw against Ireland during his ninth and last international appearance.[8] Atherton made 66 appearances in all for Middlesbrough and became club captain.[9]
Later life and death
Atherton retired from playing football after a short spell with Chelsea and he subsequently moved back to Edinburgh, becoming a steward in the Merchant Navy.[3] Atherton was presumed dead in October 1917 after his ship disappeared without trace,[2] either due to a mine or enemy action.[3]
References
- 1 2 Interesting and curious facts about full internationals and national players (1901–1910), IFFHS.
- 1 2 Leslie, Colin (31 May 2008). "Memorabilia mixes with poignant tales in new Easter Road exhibit". Edinburgh Evening News (Johnston Publishing).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Bobby Atherton, Hibernian Historical Trust.
- 1 2 3 Pia, Simon (20 May 2001). "Edinburgh's real disgrace? Hibs have not won the cup since Buffalo Bill was in town". Scotland on Sunday (Johnston Publishing).
- 1 2 "99 years and counting ...". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 May 2001.
- ↑ Sat 12 Mar 1904 Scotland 1 Wales 1, London Hearts.
- ↑ 12 March 1904, Welsh Football Data Archive.
- ↑ 8 April 1905, Welsh Football Data Archive.
- ↑ Boro remember fallen war heroes, Middlesbrough F.C. official site.
- Sources
- Lugton, Alan (1999). The Making of Hibernian 1. John Donald Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-85976-509-1.