Bobby Atherton
Encyclopedia
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.
, Atherton signed for Hibs at the start of the 1897–98 season. Atherton was a versatile player who could play in a number of positions in midfield and the forward line. He won his first cap for Wales
in a 1899 British Home Championship
match against Ireland, and he also played against England
that year.
Atherton captained the Hibs side that won the 1902 Scottish Cup
, the last time Hibs have won that competition. 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. The Celtic defence duly complied, which allowed Andy McGeachen to score the only goal of the game. 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
.
in 1903, and he became the first Middlesbrough player to win international honours. He also scored his two international goals while with Middlesbrough. The first was in a 1–1 draw with Scotland
at Dens Park
, and the second was in a 2–2 draw against Ireland during his ninth and last international appearance. Atherton made 66 appearances in all for Middlesbrough and became club captain.
and he subsequently moved back to Edinburgh
, becoming a steward in the Merchant Navy. Atherton was presumed dead in October 1917 after his ship disappeared without trace, either due to a mine
or enemy
action.
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
association football player, who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and forward for Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in the late 1890s and early 1900s.
Hibernian
Although he was born in north Wales, Atherton grew up in Scotland. After spells with Dalry Primrose and HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, Atherton signed for Hibs at the start of the 1897–98 season. Atherton was a versatile player who could play in a number of positions in midfield and the forward line. He won his first cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 1899 British Home Championship
1899 British Home Championship
The 1899 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. A very high scoring affair, the competition featured the highest scoreline ever achieved in the Home Championships when England defeated Ireland 13–2 in Sunderland...
match against Ireland, and he also played against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
that year.
Atherton captained the Hibs side that won the 1902 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup 1901–02
The 1901–02 Scottish Cup was the 29th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Hibernian, who defeated Celtic 1–0 in the Final. This gave Hibs their second and most recent Scottish Cup win...
, the last time Hibs have won that competition. Hibs' 1–0 win against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
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
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
accent. The Celtic defence duly complied, which allowed Andy McGeachen to score the only goal of the game. He then captained the Hibs side that won the 1903 league championship
1902-03 in Scottish football
The 1902–03 season was the 13th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Hibernian-Scottish League division two:-Scottish Cup:...
, the first in the club's history. He also played in all of Wales' matches in the 1903 British Home Championship
1903 British Home Championship
The 1903 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations.Unusually, the trophy was shared by three of the Home Nations all of whom scored four points. At the time, goal difference was not used to differentiate teams...
.
Middlesbrough
Atherton was transferred to MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in 1903, and he became the first Middlesbrough player to win international honours. He also scored his two international goals while with Middlesbrough. The first was in a 1–1 draw with Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
, and the second was in a 2–2 draw against Ireland during his ninth and last international appearance. Atherton made 66 appearances in all for Middlesbrough and became club captain.
Later life and death
Atherton retired from playing football after a short spell with ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and he subsequently moved back to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, becoming a steward in the Merchant Navy. Atherton was presumed dead in October 1917 after his ship disappeared without trace, either due to a mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
or enemy
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
action.