Archie Robertson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Archibald "Archie" Clark Robertson (15 September 1929 – 28 January 1978) was a Scottish
footballer
who spent most of his career with Clyde
, firstly as an inside right and latterly as manager.
Robertson joined Clyde from juvenile side Rutherglen Glencairn in 1947, on a part-time basis as he continued his studies towards a degree in chemistry
. He spent the next 14 seasons with the Bully Wee, during which time he experienced relegation on three occasions, although he also helped the side win the Division Two
title twice, in 1951-52
and 1956-57
.
Robertson also enjoyed success with Clyde in the Scottish Cup
. In the 1955 final
he scored Clyde's equalising goal direct from a corner kick in the 88th minute, forcing a 1-1 draw with Celtic
. Clyde went on to win the replay 1-0 with a goal by Tommy Ring
. He also played in the 1958 Cup final
when Clyde defeated Hibernian
1-0.
While with Clyde, Robertson earned 5 caps for the Scotland national football team
and played in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
in Sweden
. He also earned selection for the Scottish League
representative side on two occasions. He eventually left the club when signed by Morton
for £1,000 in the autumn of his career. He spent two seasons in Greenock
before retiring in 1963.
Robertson began a managerial career with Second Division Cowdenbeath
in 1964 and spent three and a half mid-table seasons with the Blue Brazil. In January 1968 he succeeded Davie White
as manager of old club Clyde but was not able to replicate White's 1966-67
third place finish as Clyde's league form gradually declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They eventually experienced relegation in the 1971-72 season
and despite leading his team to the Second Division title the following campaign, Robertson ended his association with the club in 1973. His final footballing role was as Tottenham Hotspur
's Scottish scout.
Throughout his career, Robertson combined his footballing role with another career. Following his graduation he worked in the scientific branch of the National Coal Board, while in later years he was a science teacher
at a school
in East Kilbride
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who spent most of his career with Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
, firstly as an inside right and latterly as manager.
Robertson joined Clyde from juvenile side Rutherglen Glencairn in 1947, on a part-time basis as he continued his studies towards a degree in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. He spent the next 14 seasons with the Bully Wee, during which time he experienced relegation on three occasions, although he also helped the side win the Division Two
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
title twice, in 1951-52
1951-52 in Scottish football
The 1951–52 season was the 55th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: HibernianRelegated: Greenock Morton, Stirling Albion-Scottish League Division B:Promoted: Clyde, Falkirk...
and 1956-57
1956-57 in Scottish football
The 1956–57 season was the 60th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Dunfermline Athletic, Ayr United-Scottish League Division Two:...
.
Robertson also enjoyed success with Clyde in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
. In the 1955 final
Scottish Cup 1954-55
The 1954–55 Scottish Cup was the 70th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Clyde who defeated Celtic in the replayed final...
he scored Clyde's equalising goal direct from a corner kick in the 88th minute, forcing a 1-1 draw with Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Clyde went on to win the replay 1-0 with a goal by Tommy Ring
Tommy Ring
Thomas "Tommy" Ring was a Scottish footballer who played for Ashfield, Clyde, Everton, Barnsley, Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Stevenage Town and the Scotland national team....
. He also played in the 1958 Cup final
Scottish Cup 1957-58
The 1957-58 Scottish Cup was the 73rd staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Clyde who defeated Hibernian in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
when Clyde defeated Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
1-0.
While with Clyde, Robertson earned 5 caps for the Scotland national football team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
and played in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. He also earned selection for the Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
representative side on two occasions. He eventually left the club when signed by Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
for £1,000 in the autumn of his career. He spent two seasons in Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
before retiring in 1963.
Robertson began a managerial career with Second Division Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
in 1964 and spent three and a half mid-table seasons with the Blue Brazil. In January 1968 he succeeded Davie White
David White (football manager)
David White is a Scottish former football player and manager. He played as a wing half for Clyde for his whole career, before managing Clyde, Rangers and Dundee.-Career:...
as manager of old club Clyde but was not able to replicate White's 1966-67
1966-67 in Scottish football
The 1966–67 season was the 70th season of Scottish League football.-Overview:A number of significant events occurred during the season...
third place finish as Clyde's league form gradually declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They eventually experienced relegation in the 1971-72 season
1971-72 in Scottish football
The 1971–72 season was the 75th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Clyde, Dunfermline-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Dumbarton, Arbroath-Cup honours:...
and despite leading his team to the Second Division title the following campaign, Robertson ended his association with the club in 1973. His final footballing role was as Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
's Scottish scout.
Throughout his career, Robertson combined his footballing role with another career. Following his graduation he worked in the scientific branch of the National Coal Board, while in later years he was a science teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
at a school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
in East Kilbride
East Kilbride
East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
.
External links
- Scotland national team statistics at londonhearts.com