David Mathers (footballer) explained

David Mathers
Fullname:David Cochrane Mathers[1]
Birth Date:23 October 1931
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Death Place:Southport, England[2]
Position:Left half
Youthyears1:1947–1949
Youthclubs1:Partick Thistle
Years1:1949–1959
Caps1:180
Goals1:9
Years2:1959–1960
Clubs2:Headington/Oxford United
Years3:1960–1961
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Clubs3:Partick Thistle
Years4:1961–1962
Caps4:11
Goals4:1
Clubs4:East Stirlingshire
Totalcaps:191
Totalgoals:10
Nationalyears1:1954
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1956
Nationalteam2:Scottish League XI
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0

David Cochrane Mathers (23 October 1931 – 22 August 2014) was a Scottish footballer, who played as a left-half for Partick Thistle and the Scotland national team.

Mathers joined Partick Thistle from Govan High School[3] in 1947 and turned professional two years later, aged 17. He remained there until September 1959, when he joined Southern League team Headington United. That club changed its name to Oxford United the following summer. Mathers returned to Partick in December 1960, but did not make any more first team appearances for the club. He signed for East Stirlingshire in the summer of 1961 and retired after one season there.

Mathers played once for Scotland, against Finland in what was their final preparation match before the 1954 FIFA World Cup finals. Although named in Scotland's 22-man squad for Switzerland, Scotland decided to take only 13 of the 22 to the finals. Mathers stayed at home on reserve, along with the likes of Bobby Combe and Jimmy Binning. Inside forward George Hamilton was also on reserve, but travelled after Bobby Johnstone withdrew through injury. Mathers also represented the Scottish League once, in 1956.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scotland – International Matches 1951–1955 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 11 April 2019 . 2 March 2020 . Alan . Brown . Gabriele . Tossani.
  2. https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=60630&h=1817193&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=OzZ7211&_phstart=successSource Ancestry: Mr David Cochrane Mathers in the England and Wales, Death Index, 1989–2018
  3. News: Huggins. Percy. 22 August 1956. FIRHILL'S "TWINS" KEEP IN STEP. Evening Times.
  4. Web site: Davie Mathers – Scotland Football League Record from 05 Sep 1956 to 05 Sep 1956 clubs – Partick Thistle . Londonhearts.com . 2016-04-16.