Paddy Travers
Encyclopedia
Patrick "Paddy" Travers (28 May 1883 - 1962) was a football player and manager in the first half of the 20th century. He played for many clubs in his native Scotland
and for Barnsley
in England
, before becoming involved in coaching, and later, managing.
. He then had a further spell at Barnsley, returned to play for Thornliebank, followed by games for New Brompton and Renton
before moving to Clyde
.
In 1910 he was signed by Jimmy Philip
to play for Aberdeen
, but only played one season for them before returning to Glasgow
, where he had business interests, to play for Celtic. He returned to Aberdeen after one season, and this time stayed until the end of the 1913-14 season
, when he moved to Dumbarton
. He spent the remainder of his playing career in the Dumbarton area, also playing for Vale of Leven
and Dumbarton Harp
.
On retirement as a player, he coached in Norway and was trainer of the Dumbarton side before being engaged to coach Aberdeen in 1921. He remained in that position until the retirement of Philip in 1924.
, together with his brother George. Jackson went on to be one of the most renowned players of his generation. In spite of this, however, Travers' first season in charge ended with relegation only avoided on goal difference
. In the following seasons, many players came and went - Travers worked hard in the transfer market of the time, and his dealings are credited with improving the club's previously precarious financial situation.
In 1931, Travers mysteriously dropped three of the club's regular players before a match against Falkirk
. In all, five players never played for the club again, and it was reported in the 1970s that this was the result of an alleged plot to win fixed-odds bets
on half-time and full-time scores. No police action was ever taken, and many of those involved protested their innocence for the remainder of their lives.
In 1937, Travers took his team to the Scottish Cup
Final, the first time Aberdeen had ever appeared in the final. They were defeated 2-1 by Celtic in front of a record official attendance of 146,433, although many more may have gained illegal entry. That summer, the club were on a tour of South Africa when outside-right Jackie Benyon
died suddenly of peritonitis
. Travers remained in charge for two more seasons, but feeling that he no longer had the full support of his directors, accepted an offer to manage Clyde in 1938.
The success which had eluded him at Pittodrie
soon materialised at Shawfield
, however, and the Scottish Cup was won by Travers' Clyde team in 1939
. He was still manager of Clyde in 1955
, when the Bully Wee beat Celtic in a replay to win their second Cup. He was also a runner up as manager with Clyde in the 1948-49 Scottish Cup when Clyde lost 4-1 to Rangers in the final. His three Cup Finals earned him a reputation as a "Cup specialist" when named as one of Scotland's 50 greatest managers by the Sunday Herald
newspaper.
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...
and for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
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...
, before becoming involved in coaching, and later, managing.
Playing and coaching career
Travers was born in Renfrew, and first played for his hometown team, Renfrew Victoria around the turn of the century. In 1901, he played 13 games for Barnsley, before returning to Scotland to play for ThornliebankThornliebank
Thornliebank is a small suburban village in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, south of Glasgow. It is served by Thornliebank railway station and lies to the east of the M77 motorway.-History:...
. He then had a further spell at Barnsley, returned to play for Thornliebank, followed by games for New Brompton and Renton
Renton, Scotland
Renton is a small district in central Scotland. In the 2001 National Census it had a population of 2,138.Renton is particularly famous for the village's association football side. Renton F.C...
before moving to 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...
.
In 1910 he was signed by Jimmy Philip
Jimmy Philip
Jimmy Philip was the very first manager of Scottish football club Aberdeen FC. He was in charge of the club from its foundation in 1903 until his retirement in 1924...
to play for Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, but only played one season for them before returning to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, where he had business interests, to play for Celtic. He returned to Aberdeen after one season, and this time stayed until the end of the 1913-14 season
1913-14 in Scottish football
The 1913–14 season saw an increase from 18 teams to 20 teams in Division one while the number of teams in Division two was decreased back to 12 from 14...
, when he moved to 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 the remainder of his playing career in the Dumbarton area, also playing for Vale of Leven
Vale of Leven F.C.
Vale of Leven Football Club are an association club based in the town of Alexandria, Scotland, in the Vale of Leven area of West Dunbartonshire. Nicknamed the Vale and formed in 1939, they play at Millburn Park...
and Dumbarton Harp
Dumbarton Harp F.C.
Dumbarton Harp Football Club were a football club based in the town of Dumbarton in the west of Scotland. They were formed in 1894 by Irish Catholic immigrants to the area in a similar way to the formation of Celtic in Glasgow and Hibernian in Edinburgh....
.
On retirement as a player, he coached in Norway and was trainer of the Dumbarton side before being engaged to coach Aberdeen in 1921. He remained in that position until the retirement of Philip in 1924.
Management
Travers replaced Philip as Aberdeen manager in the summer of 1924. One of his first acts as manager was the signing of Alec JacksonAlex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
, together with his brother George. Jackson went on to be one of the most renowned players of his generation. In spite of this, however, Travers' first season in charge ended with relegation only avoided on goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
. In the following seasons, many players came and went - Travers worked hard in the transfer market of the time, and his dealings are credited with improving the club's previously precarious financial situation.
In 1931, Travers mysteriously dropped three of the club's regular players before a match against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
. In all, five players never played for the club again, and it was reported in the 1970s that this was the result of an alleged plot to win fixed-odds bets
Fixed-odds gambling
Fixed-odds betting is a form of wagering against odds offered by a bookmaker, an individual, or on a bet exchange.-Calculating fixed odds:It is customary with fixed-odds gambling to know the odds at the time of the placement of the wager , although this category also includes wagers whose price is...
on half-time and full-time scores. No police action was ever taken, and many of those involved protested their innocence for the remainder of their lives.
In 1937, Travers took his team to 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...
Final, the first time Aberdeen had ever appeared in the final. They were defeated 2-1 by Celtic in front of a record official attendance of 146,433, although many more may have gained illegal entry. That summer, the club were on a tour of South Africa when outside-right Jackie Benyon
Jackie Benyon
Jackie Benyon was a Welsh footballer who played for Doncaster Rovers and Aberdeen until his death from peritonitis on a club tour of South Africa in 1937.Benyon signed for Aberdeen in 1932 from Doncaster and established himself as a winger in the first team...
died suddenly of peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...
. Travers remained in charge for two more seasons, but feeling that he no longer had the full support of his directors, accepted an offer to manage Clyde in 1938.
The success which had eluded him at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
soon materialised at Shawfield
Shawfield Stadium
Shawfield Stadium is a greyhound racing venue in the town of Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, located close to the boundary with Glasgow. It has also previously been a regular venue for football and speedway, as home to Clyde F.C. and the Glasgow Tigers respectively...
, however, and the Scottish Cup was won by Travers' Clyde team in 1939
1938-39 in Scottish football
The 1938–39 season was the 49th season of competitive football in Scotland. Due to the World War II the league was not officially competed for again until the 1946–47 season.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers...
. He was still manager of Clyde in 1955
1954-55 in Scottish football
The 1954–55 season was the 58th season of competitive football in Scotland.Aberdeen won their first League Title.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: Aberdeen...
, when the Bully Wee beat Celtic in a replay to win their second Cup. He was also a runner up as manager with Clyde in the 1948-49 Scottish Cup when Clyde lost 4-1 to Rangers in the final. His three Cup Finals earned him a reputation as a "Cup specialist" when named as one of Scotland's 50 greatest managers by the Sunday Herald
Sunday Herald
The Sunday Herald is a Scottish Sunday newspaper launched on 7 February 1999. The ABC audited circulation in April 2011 showed sales of 31,123.From the start it has combined a centre-left stance with support for Scottish devolution...
newspaper.