Jock Watson Explained

Jock Watson
Fullname:John Watson[1]
Birth Date:1883 11, df=y
Birth Place:Newarthill, Scotland
Death Date:[2]
Death Place:Brentford, England
Position:Full back
Years1:1902
Clubs1:Clyde
Caps1:9
Goals1:0
Years2:1902–
Clubs2:Newcastle United
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Clubs3:New Brompton
Years4:1903–1908
Clubs4:Brentford
Caps4:168
Goals4:0
Years5:1908–1910
Clubs5:Leeds City
Caps5:45
Goals5:0
Years6:1910
Clubs6:Clyde
Caps6:0
Goals6:0

John Watson (28 November 1883 – 6 May 1946) was a Scottish professional footballer who made over 160 appearances as a full back in the Southern League for Brentford. He also played in the Football League for Newcastle United and Leeds City.

Playing career

A full back, Watson began his career in his native Scotland at Scottish League Division Two club Clyde.[3] He earned a £200 move to English First Division club Newcastle United in October 1902.[4] [5] Watson managed only three league appearances before joining Southern League First Division club New Brompton. Watson joined fellow Southern League First Division club Brentford in 1903 and made 168 appearances in a five-year spell with the club.[6]

Along with Brentford teammates Jock Hamilton, Tom McAllister and Adam Bowman,[7] Watson returned to the Football League to join Second Division club Leeds City in May 1908.[8] He immediately became a fixture in the first team, being named captain, forming a full back-partnership with Jack White and making 32 appearances during the 1908–09 season.[9] Watson began the 1909–10 season as an ever-present, but lost his place in the team and departed the club in 1910. Watson made 49 appearances for Leeds City and ended his career with a second spell at Clyde.

Representative career

While in his first spell with Clyde, Watson appeared for a Glasgow Select XI against Sheffield.

Personal life

After his retirement from football, Watson returned to Brentford and was the landlord of the New Inn (one of four pubs situated at the corners of Griffin Park) from July 1910 until his death in May 1946.[10] [11] Watson's son (also nicknamed "Jock") became a footballer and played for Ealing, Windsor and Slough in the 1930s and captained the latter club.[12]

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Clyde1902–03[13] Scottish League Division Two900090
Newcastle United1902–03[14] First Division300030
Brentford1903–04[15] Southern League First Division34050390
1904–05Southern League First Division33030360
1905–06Southern League First Division30040340
1906–07Southern League First Division38040420
1907–08Southern League First Division33020350
Total16801801860
Leeds City1908–09Second Division28040320
1909–10Second Division17000170
Total45040490
Career total22502202470

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . Tony Brown . 2012 . 978-1905891610 . Nottingham . 303.
  2. Web site: 20 December 1946 . Name of Deceased . 9 July 2021 . The London Gazette.
  3. Web site: Players – Jock Watson 1908–10 . 3 August 2014 . The Definitive History of Leeds United.
  4. Web site: The Football Association – Season 1902–03 – Summary Of Professional Registrations . 1 January 2021 . Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource.
  5. Web site: Scott . Kenneth H. . John Watson . 9 July 2021 . toon1892 ~ a site for Newcastle United fans everywhere... . en-GB.
  6. Book: Haynes, Graham . A-Z Of Bees: Brentford Encyclopaedia . 1998 . Yore Publications . 1-874427-57-7 . 134.
  7. Web site: Players – Jock Hamilton 1908–09 . 3 August 2014 . The Definitive History of Leeds United.
  8. Web site: The Football Association – Season 1908–09 – Summary Of Professional Registrations . 1 January 2021 . Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource.
  9. Web site: Leeds City Players Details : No.45 : Watson, John (Jock) . 3 August 2014 . Leeds United F.C. History.
  10. News: 16 July 1910 . Jock Watson has come to reside in Brentford and has taken over as landlord of the New Inn. . County of Middlesex Independent.
  11. News: 17 May 1946 . "Jock" Watson. Son Flies From India for Funeral . The Brentford & Chiswick Times.
  12. Web site: Jock Watson . 18 October 2015 . The Official Website of Slough Town FC.
  13. Book: Litster, John . Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players . PM Publications . Norwich.
  14. Web site: John Watson . 18 December 2016 . 11v11.com.
  15. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 357–359.