Info on Thomas Cleghorn (Leith Ath, Liverpool, Portsmouth)

[kjell]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could help me find the correct dates for a Thomas Cleghorn, who played for Darlington, Leith Athletic (1892-94), Blackburn Rovers (1894-96), Liverpool (1896-99), Portsmouth (1899-1903) and Plymouth (1903).

Cleghorn signed for Leith Athletic during the close season of 1892 and stayed with the club until the summer of 1894.

When he signed for Leith the Glasgow Herald wrote “Cleghorn, an ex-Darlington player.”

On the 1901 Census for England – while he was playing for Portsmouth – it says he is 30 years old, and born in Scotland (nothing more).

So, Leith, and Edinburgh, is then the best trail to follow; and I have found two candidates:
(1) Thomas Cleghorn, born February 13 – 1870, St Andrews (Edinburgh) – parents Robert and Ann (nee Young).
** This person died in Lanark on October 23 – 1946 (same name of parents on the certificate).

(2) Thomas Cleghorn, born October 25 – 1871, Stow (Midlothian) – parents Thomas and Janet (nee Jackson).
** This person died in Crail, Fife on September 17 – 1943 (same name of parents on the certificate).

Are there any way to trace Thomas for his years with Leith (1892 to 1894) and based on findings then determine which of (1) or (2) is correct, or even an unknown (3)?

Regards,

Kjell

[leicester]

You can discount the Stow-born Thomas: he was living with an uncle and working as a baker in Peeblesshire in 1891.

Your Thomas was boarding in Darlington in 1891, claiming an age of 21 and merely noted as born 'in Scotland'.

I was originally suspecting that he may have been chary about his age, as he'd been playing for Darlington St Augustine's from 1888, before moving to rivals Darlington in 1890 (the same year he represented Durham in inter-county fare against Northumberland); but I guess that 17 may well have been a viable age for an imported pro at that time.

I note, too, that the 1984 history, 'Pompey', gives his birth as Leith, 1871.

EDIT: Found him.....

1911 Census: Thomas Cleghorn, age 41, publican in High Street, Lanark, with wife Alison Bruce Cleghorn

Marriage: 25th July 1904 at The Queens Hotel, Leith: Thomas Cleghorn (athletic trainer), 34, to Alison Bruce Andrews. Bridegroom's parents Robert & Ann.

[kjell]

Hi,

Superb!! A big thank you for helping out.

Kjell

[kjell]

A sketch I found of him.

[Boris57]

I have him born 13 February 1870 in Edinburgh. Died 23 October 1946 in Lanark. At the time of his death (as a result of a cerebral heomarage 9 days earlier) he was a hotel proprietor at 68 High Street Lanark. Signed for Leith Athletic in 1892 where he stayed for 2 seasons (playing 30 Scottish League games + 4 Scottish Cup ties) before moving to Blackburn Rovers (1894) then Liverpool (1896) then Portsmouth (1899) & finally Plymouth Argyle (1903). He was a player/trainer with Plymouth. Let me know if you need a more detailed breakdown of his games for Leith Athletic.

[kjell]

Hi,

A breakdown of his career with Leith would be perfect for his profile page on my blog.

Also, I see that the McQueen brothers' played for Leith in the summer of 1892, and a J. Henderson as centre forward. COuld maybe be four future LFC players in the teams for Leith at that time.

Kjell

[Boris57]

Kjell

I'll email Cleghorn's Leith Athletic stats to you either later in the weekend or first thing next week. I also have a portrait photo of him & I can send you that too if you like?

I can confirm brothers Matt (right-half) & Hugh (outside-left) McQueen both also played with Leith Athletic at this time (from 1889/90 to 1892/93) & both later moved to Liverpool. There was a John Henderson there at the same time (inside-left not centre-forward) who was a regular goalscorer but I have no info that he too moved to Liverpool.

[Boris57]

Kjell

Email sent this morning with Cleghorn's Leith Athletic stats, etc.

Jim