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Andrew Watson, Britain’s first black footballer
This is not about Celtic, but about an important player in the history of Scottish and British football.
In May 1857 in British Guyana, a boy was born to a Scottish sugar planter and a local woman. He was named Andrew Watson, and would go on to become the first black British football player.
Watson was educated in England before studying at Glasgow University, where his love of football would blossom. He started playing for local sides Maxwell, then Parkgrove, as a full back. In 1880 he moved to Queen’s Park, then the best team in Scotland, he would go on to become their captain, then secretary. He led Queen’s to several Scottish cup victories.
During his time at Queen’s Park, Watson was chosen to represent Scotland. He won 3 caps in total, the first a 5-1 win against England on the 12th March 1881, a few days later he played against Wales in another 5-1 win. His last cap came against England the following year on 11th March 1882, this time he would captain Scotland to a 6-1 win.
In 1882 he played for London Swifts in the FA cup, becoming it is thought, to have been the first black player to play in that competition. He also was selected to play for the famed English amateur team the Corinthians against Blackburn Rovers, the FA cup champions, Corinthians thumped them 8-1 in the game.
Not much is known about Andrew Watson’s later years, it is thought he emigrated to Australia and died there in 1902.
So Andrew Watson’s achievements are:
- the first black player to play for Scotland, whom he represented 3 times between 1881 and 1882. He played for Queens Park, the top Scottish team of the day.
- the first black captain of an International team (v England 1881)
- the first black player to win a major competition (Scottish Cup 1881)
- the first black player to play in the English FA Cup (London Swifts 1882)
- the first black football administrator (he was Match Secretary for 5 years at Parkgrove and Queens Park FC)
I felt it was important to try and draw some sort of attention to a man who made history but the knowledge of whom is not well known.
You can find out about his story if you are ever in Glasgow as the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park has a piece about him.
Posted by Celtic fan Michael Kane
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