Peter Kerr (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Peter Kerr was a Scottish
football player, who played for three different Edinburgh
clubs in a 21 year senior career.
Kerr began his senior career with Hibernian
in 1910, having previously played with junior sides Prestonpans FC, Wallyford Bluebell and Wemyss Athletic. Kerr was signed as a replacement for Scotland international
fullback James Main
, who died as a result of injuries sustained on the football pitch on Christmas Day 1909, but played most of his career as a centre-half. He was a mainstay of the side over the next 16 years, helping the Greens to 3 Scottish Cup
finals, although on each occasion he ended up on the losing side. In 1913-14
, Hibs drew the initial Final 0–0 with Celtic
, but they succumbed 4–1 in the replay at Ibrox
. In 1922-23
Celtic again proved too strong, while the following year
Hughie Gallacher
's Airdrie
won 2–0.
Kerr had already gained representative honours for the Scottish League
by this stage, however his consistent play with Hibs earned him selection for the Scotland national team
in March 1924. His debut, aged 32, in a 2–0 win over Ireland
, also proved to be his last international appearance.
In 1926, the then 34 year old Kerr switched from the east side of Edinburgh to the west, joining Hibs rivals Hearts
. Hearts side at this time contained numerous youngsters and the Tynecastle
side's directors felt Kerr would provide a steadying influence to counter youthful inconsistency. He spent five seasons with Hearts before joining his third and final Edinburgh club, Leith Athletic
in 1931. He played one season for Leith, during which they suffered relegation from Division 1, before retiring two months shy of his 41st birthday. He was appointed Leith's manager in 1933.
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...
football player, who played for three different Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
clubs in a 21 year senior career.
Kerr began his senior career with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1910, having previously played with junior sides Prestonpans FC, Wallyford Bluebell and Wemyss Athletic. Kerr was signed as a replacement for Scotland international
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...
fullback James Main
James Main
James Main was a Scottish association football player who played for Hibernian and the Scotland national football team as a right back. Main suffered fatal internal injuries while playing in a match on Christmas Day 1909, and died four days later.Main signed for Hibs in 1904 from...
, who died as a result of injuries sustained on the football pitch on Christmas Day 1909, but played most of his career as a centre-half. He was a mainstay of the side over the next 16 years, helping the Greens to 3 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...
finals, although on each occasion he ended up on the losing side. In 1913-14
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...
, Hibs drew the initial Final 0–0 with 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...
, but they succumbed 4–1 in the replay at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
. In 1922-23
1922-23 in Scottish football
The 1922–23 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Albion Rovers, Alloa Athletic-Scottish League Division Two:...
Celtic again proved too strong, while the following year
1923-24 in Scottish football
The 1923–24 season was the 34th season of competitive football in Scotland. A Third Division was introduced adding to Division One and Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Clyde, Clydebank...
Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher
Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scottish football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times....
's Airdrie
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
won 2–0.
Kerr had already gained representative honours for the Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
by this stage, however his consistent play with Hibs earned him selection for 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...
in March 1924. His debut, aged 32, in a 2–0 win over Ireland
Ireland 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...
, also proved to be his last international appearance.
In 1926, the then 34 year old Kerr switched from the east side of Edinburgh to the west, joining Hibs rivals Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. Hearts side at this time contained numerous youngsters and the Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
side's directors felt Kerr would provide a steadying influence to counter youthful inconsistency. He spent five seasons with Hearts before joining his third and final Edinburgh club, Leith Athletic
Leith Athletic F.C.
Leith Athletic Football Club is a football club based in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a member of the East of Scotland Football League. It plays most of its home games at Leith Links. The club was originally formed in 1887 and played in the Scottish Football League in four different...
in 1931. He played one season for Leith, during which they suffered relegation from Division 1, before retiring two months shy of his 41st birthday. He was appointed Leith's manager in 1933.
External links
- Appearances at londonhearts.com