Finlay Speedie
Encyclopedia
Finlay Ballantyne Speedie (18 August 1880 – 5 February 1953) was a Scottish footballer who played for Rangers
and Newcastle United
in the 1900s. He was a versatile forward who was most at home at inside left.
Speedie began his career with his local club Dumbarton
but joined Rangers
in 1900. Playing under William Wilton
he won two League championships
, a Scottish Cup
, two Glasgow Cups, a Charity Cup and the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition Cup.
He left Rangers
in 1906 and joined Newcastle United
where he won the English First Division
in 1906–07
in his first season. He stayed on Tyneside for another season before joining Oldham for a season and then moved to Bradford Park Avenue
for a few months before eventually re-joining old club Dumbarton
. He spent five years at Boghead before retiring in 1914. He won the old Second Division title in 1911.
Speedie won three Scotland
caps
scoring two goals — all in 1903.
During the First World War he served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
and was awarded the Military Medal
. He maintained his links with Dumbarton and coached the team in the 1930s.
Speedie died on the 5 February 1953, aged 72.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the 1900s. He was a versatile forward who was most at home at inside left.
Speedie began his career with his local club Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
but joined Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in 1900. Playing under William Wilton
William Wilton
William Wilton was the first ever manager of Rangers F.C., serving the club in that position from May 1899 until his death in 1920. He had previously filled several roles including match secretary to the reserve and first teams.-Career:Wilton joined the club in September 1883 as a player but never...
he won two League championships
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, a 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...
, two Glasgow Cups, a Charity Cup and the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition Cup.
He left Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in 1906 and joined Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
where he won the English First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1906–07
1906-07 in English football
The 1906–07 season was the 36th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:-First Division:-Second Division:P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = PointsReferences...
in his first season. He stayed on Tyneside for another season before joining Oldham for a season and then moved to Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
for a few months before eventually re-joining old club Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
. He spent five years at Boghead before retiring in 1914. He won the old Second Division title in 1911.
Speedie won three 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...
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...
scoring two goals — all in 1903.
During the First World War he served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
and was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
. He maintained his links with Dumbarton and coached the team in the 1930s.
Speedie died on the 5 February 1953, aged 72.
Honours
Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
- Football League champions: 1906–07
- Charity Shield winners: 1907