David Weir (English footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Weir was an English footballer who played for several clubs in the 19th century, including Bolton Wanderers
and Ardwick (Manchester City
), and won two caps
for England
.
, where he was an ever-present in the first ever season of the Football League
. He scored his first League goal on 22 September 1888 against the Preston North End
team known as the Invincibles.
Weir played in a number of positions. In his first spell at Bolton he was renowned for his ability as a centre-half, yet scored 31 times in two seasons. In an FA Cup
tie against Sheffield United
on 1 February 1890, Weir scored four goals in a 13–0 rout, with a further five goals coming from Jim Cassidy.
In May 1890 he joined Ardwick, the predecessor of Manchester City
. The transfer was viewed as an unusual move as Ardwick were not a League club at that time, and did not join the Football Alliance
until 1891. At Ardwick, Weir played primarily as a forward. On 4 October 1890, he scored the club's first ever FA Cup
goal, part of a hat-trick
. Retaining the services of a player with the standing of Weir was costly for a fledgling club such as Ardwick; in the 1891–92 season the club hosted a benefit match against a representative team of internationals to raise money for him.
In 1892, Ardwick joined the Football League as founder members of the Second Division
. Weir was the club's top goalscorer in their first League season, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances. In January 1893, he returned to Bolton Wanderers where he made a further 45 appearances over three seasons.
. He gained a second cap a month later in a 3–2 defeat to Scotland
. Some observers credited him with England's second goal, which was officially recorded as a Billy Bassett
goal.
between 1909 and 1911.
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
and Ardwick (Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
), and won two caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Club career
In the infancy of professional football, Weir played for a number of teams, including Hampton, Glasgow Thistle, Maybole and Halliwell. He then signed for Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, where he was an ever-present in the first ever season of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. He scored his first League goal on 22 September 1888 against the Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
team known as the Invincibles.
Weir played in a number of positions. In his first spell at Bolton he was renowned for his ability as a centre-half, yet scored 31 times in two seasons. In an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 1 February 1890, Weir scored four goals in a 13–0 rout, with a further five goals coming from Jim Cassidy.
In May 1890 he joined Ardwick, the predecessor of Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. The transfer was viewed as an unusual move as Ardwick were not a League club at that time, and did not join the Football Alliance
Football Alliance
The Football Alliance was an association football league in England which ran for three seasons, from 1889–90 to 1891–92.It was formed by 12 clubs as a rival to the Football League, which had begun in the 1888–89 season, also with 12 member clubs...
until 1891. At Ardwick, Weir played primarily as a forward. On 4 October 1890, he scored the club's first ever FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
goal, part of a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
. Retaining the services of a player with the standing of Weir was costly for a fledgling club such as Ardwick; in the 1891–92 season the club hosted a benefit match against a representative team of internationals to raise money for him.
In 1892, Ardwick joined the Football League as founder members of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
. Weir was the club's top goalscorer in their first League season, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances. In January 1893, he returned to Bolton Wanderers where he made a further 45 appearances over three seasons.
International career
His performances for Bolton resulted in international recognition; he made his England debut on 2 March 1889, a 6–1 win against IrelandIreland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
. He gained a second cap a month later in a 3–2 defeat to Scotland
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...
. Some observers credited him with England's second goal, which was officially recorded as a Billy Bassett
Billy Bassett
William Isiah Bassett was an English association footballer, director and club chairman who served West Bromwich Albion for over half a century.-Playing career:...
goal.
Managerial career
After his playing career, Weir had a brief period in football management, managing GlossopGlossop North End A.F.C.
Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a...
between 1909 and 1911.