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John Veitch (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Gould Veitch was an English amateur footballer, who played for the Corinthian club in the 1890s. He made one appearance for England
playing at inside left
in 1894, in which he scored a hat trick.
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, the son of John Gould Veitch
and his wife, Jane (née Hodge). His father was a horticulturist, one of a long line of renowned plant collectors and breeders. His elder brother James Herbert Veitch
became a partner and subsequently owner of the Veitch Nurseries
business.
Veitch was educated at Westminster School
and was a member of the school football side in 1887. He then went up to Cambridge University, where he won a blue in 1888, 1889, 1890 and 1891.
, although he was also a member of the Corinthian amateur club, having made his first appearance for them while still at university on 26 January 1889 in a 1–0 defeat by Preston North End
. His next appearance was on 16 February when he scored in a 3–1 victory over Scottish Cup
finalists, Celtic
.
Over the next few years, his appearances for Corinthian were fairly infrequent, until after he had left university. In the 1891–92 season, he played in thirteen of Corinthian's 16 fixtures, scoring twelve goals, including a hat-trick against Scootish side Renton
on 18 April 1892. In the following season he only played nine matches, but in 1893–94 he made 17 appearances scoring ten goals. In the match against Derby County
on 27 March 1894, he scored four goals as Corinthian ran out 5–3 winners.
For the match against Wales
at Wrexham
on 12 March 1894, the England
selectors decided to field a team consisting entirely of players with Corinthian connections, including three players making their international début. Lewis Vaughan Lodge
(Cambridge University) made the first of five appearances at right back; Arthur Topham
(Casuals
) made his solitary England appearance at left half while the third débutante was John Veitch who played at inside left
, alongside his fellow Old Westminster Rupert Sandilands
.
Wales opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but by half-time England had taken the lead with a goal from Veitch and an own goal from Charlie Parry
. Veitch scored again early in the second half and completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, thus joining a select band to score a hat-trick on his début. The fifth goal came from Robert Cunliffe Gosling
as England ran out comfortable 5–1 victors. Veitch is one of five players to have scored a hat-trick on his England debut, yet not make a second appearance.
Veitch started the 1894–95 season with seven goals in the opening three matches, but he was then only able to make the occasional appearance, with his final match for Corinthian coming on 13 April 1898, when he appeared at full-back. In his nine years with Corinthian, he scored 49 goals in 69 appearances.
in 1907, John succeeeded to the Chelsea, London
business. He did not, however, have the ability to run the business successfully, and his uncle Sir Harry Veitch
returned to take over control. Following John's death in October 1914 at the age of 45, Sir Harry closed the business.
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...
playing at inside left
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
in 1894, in which he scored a hat trick.
Family and education
Veitch was born in Kingston Hill, SurreySurrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, the son of John Gould Veitch
John Gould Veitch
John Gould Veitch was a horticulturist and traveller, one of the first Victorian plant hunters to visit Japan. A great-grandson of John Veitch, the founder of the Veitch horticulture dynasty, he also visited the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, and other Polynesian islands.He brought back a number of...
and his wife, Jane (née Hodge). His father was a horticulturist, one of a long line of renowned plant collectors and breeders. His elder brother James Herbert Veitch
James Herbert Veitch
James Herbert Veitch F.L.S., F.R.H.S. , was a member of the Veitch family who were distinguished horticulturists and nursery-men for over a century.- Early days :...
became a partner and subsequently owner of the Veitch Nurseries
Veitch Nurseries
The Veitch Nurseries were the largest group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. Started by John Veitch sometime before 1808, the original nursery grew substantially over several decades and was eventually split into two separate businesses - based at Chelsea and...
business.
Veitch was educated at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and was a member of the school football side in 1887. He then went up to Cambridge University, where he won a blue in 1888, 1889, 1890 and 1891.
Football career
On leaving university, he continued to play for Old WestminstersOld Westminsters F.C.
Old Westminsters F.C. is an association football club composed of former pupils of Westminster School, London, England.-History:The club was founded in 1885 and in its early years was very successful winning the London Senior Cup in 1887 , 1888, 1890, 1892 and 1893.Westminster has an historic joint...
, although he was also a member of the Corinthian amateur club, having made his first appearance for them while still at university on 26 January 1889 in a 1–0 defeat by 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...
. His next appearance was on 16 February when he scored in a 3–1 victory over 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...
finalists, 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...
.
Over the next few years, his appearances for Corinthian were fairly infrequent, until after he had left university. In the 1891–92 season, he played in thirteen of Corinthian's 16 fixtures, scoring twelve goals, including a hat-trick against Scootish side Renton
Renton F.C.
Renton Football Club was a prominent team in the early history of Scottish football. The club was based in the village of Renton, West Dunbartonshire...
on 18 April 1892. In the following season he only played nine matches, but in 1893–94 he made 17 appearances scoring ten goals. In the match against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 27 March 1894, he scored four goals as Corinthian ran out 5–3 winners.
For the match against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at Wrexham
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
on 12 March 1894, the 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...
selectors decided to field a team consisting entirely of players with Corinthian connections, including three players making their international début. Lewis Vaughan Lodge
Lewis Vaughan Lodge
Lewis Vaughan Lodge was an English footballer who represented the England national football team. He also played first-class cricket with Hampshire.-Sporting career:...
(Cambridge University) made the first of five appearances at right back; Arthur Topham
Arthur Topham
Arthur George Topham was an English international footballer, who played as a half back.-Career:Born in Ellesmere, Topham played for Casuals, and earned one cap for England in 1894....
(Casuals
Casuals F.C.
Casuals F.C. were an amateur football club based in London, formed in 1878.They were founder members of the Isthmian League in 1905 and won the FA Amateur Cup in 1936....
) made his solitary England appearance at left half while the third débutante was John Veitch who played at inside left
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
, alongside his fellow Old Westminster Rupert Sandilands
Rupert Sandilands
Rupert Renorden Sandilands was an English international footballer who played as an outside left.-Career:While playing for Old Westminsters, Sandilands earned five caps for the English national side between 1892 and 1896.-References:...
.
Wales opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but by half-time England had taken the lead with a goal from Veitch and an own goal from Charlie Parry
Charlie Parry
Charles Frederick "Charlie" Parry was a Welsh footballer who played as a defender for Everton in the 1890s, helping them to win the Football League championship in 1891. He also made thirteen appearances for the Wales national football team including four as captain...
. Veitch scored again early in the second half and completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, thus joining a select band to score a hat-trick on his début. The fifth goal came from Robert Cunliffe Gosling
R. Cunliffe Gosling
Robert Cunliffe Gosling DL , was a Victorian-era footballer who played as a speedy inside forward for the renowned amateur clubs Old Etonians and the Corinthians...
as England ran out comfortable 5–1 victors. Veitch is one of five players to have scored a hat-trick on his England debut, yet not make a second appearance.
Veitch started the 1894–95 season with seven goals in the opening three matches, but he was then only able to make the occasional appearance, with his final match for Corinthian coming on 13 April 1898, when he appeared at full-back. In his nine years with Corinthian, he scored 49 goals in 69 appearances.
After football
He joined the family horticulture business as company secretary. He did not enjoy good health for long as he had weak lungs and suffered from premature deafness. Following the death of his brother, JamesJames Herbert Veitch
James Herbert Veitch F.L.S., F.R.H.S. , was a member of the Veitch family who were distinguished horticulturists and nursery-men for over a century.- Early days :...
in 1907, John succeeeded to the Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
business. He did not, however, have the ability to run the business successfully, and his uncle Sir Harry Veitch
Harry Veitch
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London...
returned to take over control. Following John's death in October 1914 at the age of 45, Sir Harry closed the business.