Hugh Wilson (18 March 1869 – 7 April 1940) was a Scottish footballer who played for Sunderland, Third Lanark and the Scotland national football team as a wing half or inside forward.[3]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Hugh Wilson[1] | ||
Date of birth | 18 March 1869[1] | ||
Place of birth | Mauchline, Scotland[1] | ||
Date of death | 7 April 1940(1940-04-07) (aged 71) | ||
Position(s) | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1887–1888 | Mauchline | ||
1888–1889 | 2nd Ayrshire Rifle Volunteers | ||
1889–1890 | Newmilns | ||
1890–1899 | Sunderland | 227 | (42) |
1899–1900 | Bedminster | ||
1900–1901 | Bristol City | ||
1901–1907 | Third Lanark | 136 | (37) |
1907–1908 | Kilmarnock | 22 | (3) |
Total | 385 | (82) | |
National team | |||
1890–1904 | Scotland | 4 | (1) |
1891[2] | Football League XI | 1 | (0) |
1902 | Scottish League XI | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Born in Mauchline, Ayrshire and known by the nickname 'Lalty', Wilson came to prominence with Newmilns, earning his first international cap while with that club[3] (and their only international representative).[4] He then signed for Sunderland and made his debut for them on 13 September 1890 against Burnley in a 3–2 defeat at Newcastle Road.[5] Overall, he made 258 league appearances scoring 46 goals while at the club, spanning from 1890 to 1899.[6] Wilson won league championships with Sunderland in 1892, 1893 and 1895.[3] Known for his effective long throw-ins,[7] anecdotally it was reported that he initially used a one-armed technique which led to the rules being changed – however, the requirement to use both hands was formalised in 1883.
Wilson left Sunderland in 1899 to sign for Bedminster.[3] A season later he moved to Bristol City,[3] as a result of the merger between Bedminster and Bristol City. Wilson then returned to Scotland in 1901 with Third Lanark.[3][8] He enjoyed success with Thirds, winning the Scottish League in 1904, the Scottish Cup the following year, and reaching the final in 1906.[3][9] He ended his playing days at Kilmarnock.[3][10]
Wilson won his first cap for Scotland against Wales on 22 March 1890 in a 5–0 win at Underwood Park.[11] He went on to make three further caps for his country, overall making four appearances scoring one goal over the course of 14 years.[12] He also represented the Scottish League XI once, while with Third Lanark.[13]
Wilson's son John was also a footballer; born in Sunderland, he played solely in the Scottish League, making over 400 appearances (mainly with Hearts), also serving in the army and being wounded during World War I.[14]