Bobby Atherton

Robert Atherton (29 July 1876 – 19 October 1917) was a Welsh footballer who played as a half back and forward for Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the late 1890s and early 1900s. He was capped by Wales at international level.[3]

Bobby Atherton
Personal information
Full name Robert Atherton[1]
Date of birth (1876-07-29)29 July 1876
Place of birth Bethesda, Wales
Date of death 19 October 1917(1917-10-19) (aged 41)[2]
Place of death North Sea
Playing position(s)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
– Dalry Primrose
1895–1897 Heart of Midlothian 0 (0)
1897–1903 Hibernian 75 (25)
1903–1906 Middlesbrough 60 (13)
1906 Chelsea 0 (0)
National team
1899–1905 Wales 9 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Hibernian

Although he was born in north Wales, Atherton grew up in Scotland.[4] After spells with Dalry Primrose juniors and Heart of Midlothian,[4][5] Atherton signed for Hibernian, at the start of the 1897–98 season.[4] He was a versatile player who could play in a number of positions in midfield and the forward line.[4]

He captained the Hibs side that won the 1902 Scottish Cup,[4] a competition that Hibs did not win again until 2016.[6] 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 Glaswegian accent.[6][7] The Celtic defence duly complied, which allowed Andy McGeachen to score the only goal of the game.[6][7] 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.[4]

Middlesbrough

Atherton was transferred to Middlesbrough in 1903 and he became the first Middlesbrough player to win international honours.[4] Atherton made 66 appearances in all for Middlesbrough and became club captain.[8]

International

He won his first cap for Wales while playing for Hibs in a 1899 British Home Championship match against Ireland, and he also played against England that year.[4]

He scored his two international goals while with Middlesbrough. The first was in a 1–1 draw with Scotland at Dens Park,[9][10] and the second was in a 2–2 draw against Ireland during his 9th and last international appearance.[11]

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.[4] Atherton was presumed dead in October 1917 after his ship, the SS Britannia, disappeared without trace in the North Sea,[12] either due to a mine or enemy action.[4][13] He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.[2]

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References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 12. ISBN 190589161X.
  2. "Casualty Details: Atherton, Robert". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  3. Interesting and curious facts about full internationals and national players (1901–1910), IFFHS
  4. Bobby Atherton, Hibernian Historical Trust
  5. "Robert Atherton – Hearts Career – from 23 May 1895 to 26 Apr 1897". www.londonhearts.com. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  6. 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. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  7. "99 years and counting ..." BBC Sport. BBC. 23 May 2001.
  8. Boro remember fallen war heroes Archived 21 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Middlesbrough F.C. official site.
  9. Sat 12 Mar 1904 Scotland 1 Wales 1, London Hearts.
  10. 12 March 1904 Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Welsh Football Data Archive.
  11. 8 April 1905 Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Welsh Football Data Archive.
  12. Leslie, Colin (31 May 2008). "Memorabilia mixes with poignant tales in new Easter Road exhibit". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  13. "Hibernian Football Club in the First World War" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
Sources
  • Lugton, Alan (1999). The Making of Hibernian 1. John Donald Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-85976-509-1.
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