Full name Andrew Nesbit Wilson Role Footballer Name Andrew Wilson | Years Team | |
Date of birth (1896-02-14)14 February 1896 Date of death 15 October 1973(1973-10-15) (aged 77) Died October 15, 1973, Putney, London, United Kingdom | ||
Andrew Nesbit Wilson (14 February 1896 – 15 October 1973) was a Scottish international footballer who played for Middlesbrough, Heart of Midlothian, Dunfermline Athletic, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers and Sporting Club Nîmois.
Contents
- Middlesbrough and military service
- Heart of Midlothian and Leeds City
- Dunfermline Athletic and return to Middlesbrough
- Scotland
- Chelsea
- Queens Park Rangers
- Nimes Olympique
- Management and coaching
- Family
- International goals
- References
Middlesbrough and military service
Andy Wilson was born in Newmains, Lanarkshire. He joined Middlesbrough from junior side Cambuslang Rangers in 1914.
His early career was interrupted by the First World War during which his left hand and forearm were shattered by enemy fire at Aras. He wore a glove to mask the withered hand and forearm for the rest of his life.
Heart of Midlothian and Leeds City
He debuted for Hearts in January 1918 playing for them until the end of the following season. He guested a couple of times for Leeds City in April 1918, scoring twice on his Peacocks debut at Bradford Park Avenue on 6 April.
Dunfermline Athletic and return to Middlesbrough
In 1919 he joined Dunfermline Athletic when they were part of the rebel Central League, a body outside Scottish Football League jurisdiction. When this league was absorbed by the SFL in 1921, those players previously contracted to a Scottish or English league side were obliged to return to whichever side held their registration as part of the agreement.
Thus Wilson returned to Middlesbrough in time for the 1921–22 season. He ended that season as not just 'Boro's but also the League's top scorer.
Scotland
When at Dunfermline and 'Boro Wilson was capped 12 times by Scotland between 1920 and 1923. He averaged more than a goal per game with 13 goals.
Chelsea
Mid-season Wilson joined David Calderhead's sizeable contingent of Scots at Chelsea in November 1923 for £6,500. He was replaced at Boro the following month with Ian Dickson from Aston Villa for £3,000. Wilson ended the 1923–24 season as both Middlesbrough and Chelsea's top scorer. Ironically both club's were relegated from the top flight that season.
He made 253 appearances for Chelsea and scored 52 goals in the next eight years. In that time he lined up beside compatriats such as Willie Ferguson, Tommy Law, Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne.
Queens Park Rangers
He joined QPR in 1931 scoring three times in 20 league games.
Nimes Olympique
He spent a two-season sojourn in France with Sporting Club Nîmes.
Management and coaching
In 1934 he became Walsall manager. He then accepted a series of coaching positions, including at Chelsea and Gravesend and Northfleet.
Family
His younger son, Jimmy survived a tour as a tail-gunner in the far east during WW2. Jimmy played for Watford after the Second World War.