Neil Dewar
Encyclopedia
Neil Hamilton Dewar was a Scottish
footballer who played for Third Lanark
, Manchester United
, Sheffield Wednesday
and the Scotland national team
. He usually played as a forward
and had a prolific goal scoring record.
, Argyllshire, Dewar began his working life as a trawler fisherman
. He played for the local amateur team, Lochgilphead United, before starting his professional football career at Third Lanark
in 1929.
caps
. His international debut was a 3–0 defeat to England
on 9 April 1932, in which he faced future team-mates Alfred Strange
and Ernie Blenkinsop
. In his second appearance for Scotland, the 3–1 win over France
in an International Challenge Match the following month, Dewar scored a hat-trick
. He was also on the score-sheet in what transpired to be his final Scotland appearance, a 5–2 defeat to Wales
on 26 October 1932.
clubs Arsenal
, Portsmouth
and Newcastle United
. It was however Second Division
Manchester United
who won the chase for his signature, paying a hefty £4,000 for the player in February 1933.
Dewar made his debut for the club in a 3–3 draw away at Preston North End
on 11 February 1933 and the Scotsman got his name on the score-sheet. Despite going on to score 14 goals in 36 games for the Red Devils, he was unable to adapt to the club's playing formation
and left Old Trafford
later the same year.
Sheffield Wednesday
on 29 December 1933 in an exchange deal that saw George Nevin
and Jack Ball
move in the other direction across the Pennines
. The deal was valued at £3,000 and was criticised by some Wednesday fans as Ball was a prolific goalscorer for the Owls.
Dewar's actions off the field overshadowed his performance on the field during his early spell at the club; he had eloped with the daughter of Manchester United director councillor A. E. Thompson. The couple eventually married in a registry office but the scandal surrounding the affair led to the resignation of Thompson from the United board. A few months later, during Dewar's first season in Sheffield
, the couple had a child, Neil junior, who also went on to become a footballer, playing for Altrincham
.
On the pitch, Dewar proved to be a good purchase for Wednesday manager Billy Walker
, with the striker going straight in to the team and scoring on a regular basis. Despite only joining the club half way through the season, he finished his first term at the club as joint top goal scorer (with Harry Burgess
and Mark Hooper
) on 13 goals.
Half way through the 1934–35 season, Dewar lost his place in the side to Jack Palethorpe
and as a result missed all of Wednesday's matches in the FA Cup
, including the 1935 FA Cup Final
victory over West Bromwich Albion
. The season was highly successful for the Owls, with the club finishing 3rd in Division One.
He regained his place in the first team the following season and scored the only goal in the victory over Arsenal
in the Charity Shield. Dewar played in the majority of Sheffield Wednesday's matches over the rest of the season and finished as the club's top scorer with 21 goals.
Despite playing in less than half of the club's matches in the 1936–37 season, Dewar managed to repeat the feat, scoring 10 goals in a poor season for Wednesday. He made a total of 95 appearances for the Owls, scoring an impressive 50 goals, however the club were in decline and after the end of the 1936–37 season, with Wednesday relegated to the Second Division
, he decided to return to his native Scotland after never really settling in England
.
before retiring from playing football in 1940. He then moved back to his home village of Lochgilphead
to work in the countryside, but despite officially hanging up his boots, he continued to play football at amateur level, playing for a veteran side named Old Crocks as late as 1947. He died on 10 January 1982.
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 who played for Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
and the Scotland national 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...
. He usually played as a forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
and had a prolific goal scoring record.
Early life
Born in LochgilpheadLochgilphead
Lochgilphead is a town and former burgh in Scotland, with a population of around 3,000 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute. The town lies at the end of Loch Gilp and lies on the banks of the Crinan Canal....
, Argyllshire, Dewar began his working life as a trawler fisherman
Fisherman
A fisherman or fisher is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish. Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishermen and fish farmers. The term can also be applied to recreational fishermen and may be used to describe both men...
. He played for the local amateur team, Lochgilphead United, before starting his professional football career at Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
in 1929.
Third Lanark
Dewar signed for Third Lanark after a successful trial in October 1929, shortly before his 21st birthday. In his debut season he scored 40 goals for the club and followed by helping the club to win the Second Division title in 1930–31. Third Lanark made a significant impact in the First Division the following season, finishing in fourth place. Dewar again showed impressive form, scoring 35 goals in 37 games for the Thirds, and was rewarded with three ScotlandScotland 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...
. His international debut was a 3–0 defeat to 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...
on 9 April 1932, in which he faced future team-mates Alfred Strange
Alfred Strange
Alfred Henry Strange was an English former footballer who played most of his career as a half back with Sheffield Wednesday and made 20 appearances for England.-Club career:...
and Ernie Blenkinsop
Ernie Blenkinsop
Ernie Blenkinsop was an English footballer who played as a defender at left back. He spent the majority of his career at Sheffield Wednesday, where he won two Football League titles. He also attained 26 caps playing for England....
. In his second appearance for Scotland, the 3–1 win over France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
in an International Challenge Match the following month, Dewar scored 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...
. He was also on the score-sheet in what transpired to be his final Scotland appearance, a 5–2 defeat to 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...
on 26 October 1932.
Manchester United
Dewar's international matches had attracted the attention of a number of clubs south of the border, and he was trailed by leading First DivisionFootball 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....
clubs Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
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...
. It was however 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...
Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
who won the chase for his signature, paying a hefty £4,000 for the player in February 1933.
Dewar made his debut for the club in a 3–3 draw away at 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...
on 11 February 1933 and the Scotsman got his name on the score-sheet. Despite going on to score 14 goals in 36 games for the Red Devils, he was unable to adapt to the club's playing formation
Formation (association football)
In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football....
and left Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
later the same year.
Sheffield Wednesday
Dewar signed for First DivisionFootball 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....
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
on 29 December 1933 in an exchange deal that saw George Nevin
George Nevin
George William Nevin was an English footballer. His regular position was at full back. He was born in Lintz, County Durham. He played for Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Manchester United, Burnley and Lincoln City....
and Jack Ball
Jack Ball
John Thomas "Jack" Ball was an English footballer, who played for clubs including Southport, Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Luton Town...
move in the other direction across the Pennines
Pennines
The Pennines are a low-rising mountain range, separating the North West of England from Yorkshire and the North East.Often described as the "backbone of England", they form a more-or-less continuous range stretching from the Peak District in Derbyshire, around the northern and eastern edges of...
. The deal was valued at £3,000 and was criticised by some Wednesday fans as Ball was a prolific goalscorer for the Owls.
Dewar's actions off the field overshadowed his performance on the field during his early spell at the club; he had eloped with the daughter of Manchester United director councillor A. E. Thompson. The couple eventually married in a registry office but the scandal surrounding the affair led to the resignation of Thompson from the United board. A few months later, during Dewar's first season in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, the couple had a child, Neil junior, who also went on to become a footballer, playing for Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
On the pitch, Dewar proved to be a good purchase for Wednesday manager Billy Walker
Billy Walker
William Henry "Billy" Walker was a prominent English footballer of the 1920s and 1930s. He is considered by many to be the greatest footballer to ever play for Aston Villa Football Club-Biography:...
, with the striker going straight in to the team and scoring on a regular basis. Despite only joining the club half way through the season, he finished his first term at the club as joint top goal scorer (with Harry Burgess
Harry Burgess (footballer)
Harry Burgess was an English footballer who played at Inside-left for Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday where he won the league championship in 1929–30, and Chelsea...
and Mark Hooper
Mark Hooper
Mark Hooper was a professional footballer who played for Darlington F.C., Sheffield Wednesday F.C. and briefly with Rotherham United in a 16 year career which lasted from 1923 to 1939 although he appeared in 1945 in a few games after World War II . In total he played 500 League games in that time,...
) on 13 goals.
Half way through the 1934–35 season, Dewar lost his place in the side to Jack Palethorpe
Jack Palethorpe
Jack Palethorpe was an English professional footballer who played for Reading, Stoke City, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace...
and as a result missed all of Wednesday's matches in the 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...
, including the 1935 FA Cup Final
1935 FA Cup Final
The 1935 FA Cup Final was contested by Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion at Wembley. Sheffield Wednesday won 4–2, with goals scored by Jack Palethorpe, Mark Hooper and Ellis Rimmer...
victory over West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. The season was highly successful for the Owls, with the club finishing 3rd in Division One.
He regained his place in the first team the following season and scored the only goal in the victory over Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the Charity Shield. Dewar played in the majority of Sheffield Wednesday's matches over the rest of the season and finished as the club's top scorer with 21 goals.
Despite playing in less than half of the club's matches in the 1936–37 season, Dewar managed to repeat the feat, scoring 10 goals in a poor season for Wednesday. He made a total of 95 appearances for the Owls, scoring an impressive 50 goals, however the club were in decline and after the end of the 1936–37 season, with Wednesday relegated to 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...
, he decided to return to his native Scotland after never really settling in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Return to Scotland
On 19 July 1937, Dewar re-signed for the Thirds in a club record breaking £1800 deal. He went on to play a further three years of league football at Cathkin ParkCathkin Park
Cathkin Park is a municipal park in Glasgow, Scotland. The park is maintained by the city's parks department, and it is a public place where football is still played...
before retiring from playing football in 1940. He then moved back to his home village of Lochgilphead
Lochgilphead
Lochgilphead is a town and former burgh in Scotland, with a population of around 3,000 people. It is the administrative centre of Argyll and Bute. The town lies at the end of Loch Gilp and lies on the banks of the Crinan Canal....
to work in the countryside, but despite officially hanging up his boots, he continued to play football at amateur level, playing for a veteran side named Old Crocks as late as 1947. He died on 10 January 1982.