Andy Rennie (Scottish footballer) explained

Andy Rennie
Fullname:Andrew Rennie
Birth Date:1901
Death Date:5 September 1938 (aged 36-37)
Birth Place:Baillieston, Scotland
Death Place:Luton, England
Position:Centre-forward
Youthclubs1:Paisley Waverley
Years1:–1925
Years2:1925–1934
Years3:1934–1935
Clubs3:Newport County
Caps2:307
Goals2:147
Caps3:3
Goals3:0

Andrew Rennie (1901–5 September 1938) was a Scottish footballer, best known as a player for Luton Town. He is Luton Town's second top goalscorer of all time, with 162 goals between 1925 and 1934, 147 of which came in the league.[1] [2]

Playing career

Rennie was a prolific goalscorer in his junior days in Scotland, but on joining Kilwinning Rangers he was moved to centre-back.

Rennie left Kilwinning for English Third Division South team Luton Town in 1925, still as a defender. He remained playing in that position for two years at Luton, until Luton manager John McCartney moved him back to the forward line. It was a shrewd decision by McCartney: Rennie scored in his first game up front, and finished the year as the club's leading scorer, with 24 goals in as many games. Rennie did even better during the 1928–29 season, scoring 43 goals in only 41 matches to be the highest goalscorer for the Third Division South.[3]

Nicknamed "Ratty" due to his short temper, Rennie went on to become Luton's second highest goalscorer of all time – at the time, he was the top goalscorer. His records were broken by Gordon Turner three decades later.[4]

Post-retirement

Rennie died on 5 September 1938 in Luton Hospital following a hernia operation, only four years after leaving Luton and three years after retiring from professional football.[4] He was laid to rest on 8 September 1938 at Luton municipal cemetery, Rothesay Road; he is buried in plot 2040B and has a headstone, "andrew (andy) rennie, a loving husband and father"

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bailey , Steve . The Definitive Luton Town F.C. . Soccerdata . December 1997 . Nottingham . 98 . 1-899468-10-2.
  2. Web site: Andy Rennie. Mike. Joyce. Since 1888. 17 October 2009. (registration & fee required)
  3. Web site: Football League Div 3 Leading Goalscorers 1921–39 . . 17 October 2009.
  4. Book: Hayes , Dean P. . Completely Top Hatters! . The Book Castle . November 2002 . 144–145 . Dunstable . 1-903747-27-9.