James Laing (footballer) explained

James Laing
Fullname:James Higgins Laing[1]
Birth Date:1897
Birth Place:Kilsyth, Scotland
Death Date:23 April 1917 (aged 19)
Death Place:near Rœux, France
Position:Inside right
Clubs1:East Stirlingshire
Years2:1916–1917
Clubs2:Falkirk
Caps2:1
Goals2:0

James Higgins Laing (1897 – 23 April 1917) was a Scottish footballer who made one appearance in the Scottish League for Falkirk as an inside right.[2]

Personal life

Prior to his service in the First World War, Laing worked as an engineer for Carron Company.[3] He attested in the Army on 8 December 1915 and was called up to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in September 1916. Serving as a private, Laing was posted to the Western Front in January 1917 and was hospitalised the following month, suffering from frostbite. He returned to his battalion in April and ten days later, on 23 April 1917, he was killed in an attack on Rœux during the Battle of the Scarpe. Laing was buried in Rœux British Cemetery.

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueScottish CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Falkirk1916–17Scottish First Division1010
Career total100010

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Falkirk Players Who Fell . 24 August 2020 . 3 . 8 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108150708/http://www.scotlandswar.co.uk/pdf_Falkirk_Players_Who_Fell.pdf . dead .
  2. Book: Litster, John . Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players . PM Publications . Norwich.
  3. Web site: MacGillivray . Russell . Larbert's War Memorial – Falkirk Local History Society . 24 August 2020 . 106.