John Bethune (footballer) explained

John Bethune
Fullname:John Bethune
Birth Date:19 October 1888
Birth Place:Milngavie, Scotland
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:Sittingbourne, England
Position:Full back
Years1:1908–1909
Clubs1:Milngavie Allander
Years2:1909–1910
Clubs2:Vale of Clyde
Years3:1910–1911
Clubs3:Ashfield
Years4:1911–1912
Clubs4:Heart of Midlothian
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Clubs5:Hamilton Academical
Years6:–1912
Clubs6:Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
Years7:1912
Clubs7:Darlington
Years8:1912–1920
Clubs8:Barnsley
Caps8:103
Goals8:1
Years9:1920–1921
Clubs9:Bristol Rovers
Caps9:30
Goals9:0
Years10:1921–1922
Clubs10:Brentford
Caps10:10
Goals10:0
Years11:1922–1927
Clubs11:Sittingbourne
Years12:1927–?
Clubs12:Sittingbourne Paper Mills

John Bethune (19 October 1888 – 23 January 1955), also known as Jack Bethune and Jock Bethune,[2] [3] was a professional association footballer, who played in both the Scottish Football League and The Football League.

Born in Milngavie near Glasgow, Bethune began his career by playing local football in the Glasgow area for Ashfield.[4] He joined Edinburgh-based side Heart of Midlothian in 1912, for whom he played three times in the Scottish League in a brief spell with them before moving to English clubs Darlington and then Barnsley still within 1912.[3] He settled in Barnsley for almost eight years in a period that was interrupted by the First World War, making over 100 Football League appearances for them.

Bethune, who was known to have a quick temper,[3] joined Bristol Rovers in 1920 for their first season as a Football League club but left for a trial with Brentford in 1921.[5] He played six League games during his trial, and a further four after signing for them permanently, but an injury suffered on Boxing Day that year ended his League career.[3]

He went on to play non-League football for Sittingbourne and Sittingbourne Paper Mills and after retiring as a footballer represented England at indoor bowls in 1936 and 1938.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bristol Rovers Memorabilia – Football League Players Index . 19 September 2019 . 27 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210427173547/http://bristolroversmemorabilia.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/1/4/1214045/football_league_players_index_1920-19..xls . dead .
  2. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888–1939 . SoccerData . 2004 . 1-899468-67-6 . . 25.
  3. Book: Jay, Mike . Pirates in Profile: A Who's Who of Bristol Rovers Players . Byrne . Stephen . Potten, Baber & Murray . 1994 . 0-9524835-0-5 . Bristol.
  4. Web site: Bethune Jack Image 1 Bristol Rovers 1921 . Vintage Footballers . en-GB . 23 December 2018.
  5. Book: Byrne, Stephen . Bristol Rovers Football Club – The Definitive History 1883–2003 . Jay . Mike . . 2003 . 0-7524-2717-2 . . 115.