Bob Birrell (footballer)

Robert Birrell (6 October 1890 – 23 January 1956) was a Scottish professional football full back who played in the Scottish League for Heart of Midlothian, Cowdenbeath and St Mirren.[2][3][4] He represented the Scottish League XI and was later one of the founders of Crossgates Primrose.[2][5]

Bob Birrell

Personal information
Full name	Robert Birrell[1]
Date of birth	6 October 1890[1]
Place of birth	Crossgates, Scotland
Date of death	23 January 1956(1956-01-23) (aged 65)[1]
Place of death	Halbeath, Scotland
Playing position(s)	Full back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
0000–1912	Kingseat Athletic
1912–1918	Cowdenbeath	99	(7)
1918–1922	Heart of Midlothian	113	(0)
1922	St Mirren	2	(0)
National team
1921	Scottish League XI	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Personal life

Birrell's younger brother Billy also became a footballer.[6]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Scottish Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cowdenbeath	1910–11[1]	Scottish Second Division	18	0	6	0	—		24	0
	1911–12[1]		17	0	5	0	—		22	0
	1912–13[1]		21	0	4	0	—		25	0
	1913–14[1]		19	3	5	0	—		24	3
	1914–15[1]		24	4	2	0	—		26	4
	Total		99	7	22	0	—		121	7
Heart of Midlothian	1918–19[7]	Scottish First Division	27	0	0	0	7[lower-alpha 1]	0	34	0
	1919–20[8]		26	0	2	0	2[lower-alpha 2]	0	30	0
	1920–21[9]		29	0	7	0	6[lower-alpha 3]	0	42	0
	1921–22[10]		31	0	3	1	3[lower-alpha 4]	0	37	1
	Total		113	0	12	1	18	0	143	1
St Mirren	1922–23[1]	Scottish First Division	2	0	0	0	—		2	0
Career total			113	0	12	1	18	0	143	1

1. 2 appearances in East of Scotland Shield, 2 appearances in Wilson Cup, 1 appearances in Victory Cup, 1 appearance in Rosebery Charity Cup
2. 1 appearance in Wilson Cup, 1 appearance in War Memorial Fund
3. 2 appearances in East of Scotland Shield, 2 appearances in Dunedin Cup, 1 appearance in Wilson Cup, 1 appearance in Rosebery Charity Cup
4. 1 appearance in East of Scotland Shield, 1 appearance in Dunedin Cup, 1 appearance in Rosebery Charity Cup

Honours

Cowdenbeath

• Scottish League Second Division (2): 1913–14, 1914–15[2][11]
• Eastern League (2): 1916–17, 1917–18[2]

Heart of Midlothian

• East of Scotland Shield (1): 1920–21[9]
• Wilson Cup (2): 1918–19, 1919–20[7][8]
• Rosebery Charity Cup (2): 1918–19, 1920–21[7][9]

Individual

• Cowdenbeath Hall of Fame[2]

References

1. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
2. "Cowdenbeath FC – Blue Brazil Online | Cowden | The Beath". www.cowdenbeathfc.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
3. "Robert Birrell – Hearts Career – from 24 Aug 1918 to 19 Apr 1922". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
4. "Player profiles B". www.stmirren.info. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
5. "R Birrell". 11v11.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
6. "Birrell Bob Image 1 Heart of Midlothian 1922". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
7. "1918–19". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
8. "1919–20". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
9. "1920–21". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
10. "1921–22". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
11. Cowdenbeath F.C. at the Football Club History Database