| Andy Wilson |
 Andrew Wilson was born on Sunday, 25th July, 1875, in Gorbals, Glasgow. The defender first guested for Thistle in April, 1896, whilst a Strathclyde player. Aged 20, he made his first known appearance on Saturday, 25th April, 1896, in a 4-2 friendly win at home to Clyde. Andy scored his only known goal for Thistle on Saturday, 6th November, 1897, in a 5-3 win at home to St Bernard's in the SFL First Division. He played his last known game for the club on Tuesday, 21st August, 1906, in a 2-2 draw away to Renton in a Benefit match, having clocked (at least) an impressive 229 appearances for the Thistle. His club-list included Strathclyde, Sunderland, Partick Thistle and Alloa Athletic. We don't know where or when Andy died. *
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 The son of Andrew Wilson (b. 1835, stone mason) and Helen Wilson (b. 1840, née Ferns), who were married in Tradeston, Glasgow, in 1859. Andrew had at least two older sisters - Maggie & Lizzie and those three were all about six years apart. The young Andrew was described as an engine fitters apprentice in 1891 and a sewing machine mechanic ten years on from that. A Govanhill boy, Andy's heart lay to Cathkin Park, but Thirds hesitated where others did not, and Andy's career panned out elsewhere. Strathclyde's left-back first appeared for Thistle as a guest in April, 1896, but it wasn't until some 15 months later that he officialy joined the club. In the interim period, he had a full season with top-flight Sunderland. His impressive tally of over 200 appearances was accumulated over 8 seasons from 1897-98 onwards. This was Thistle's first-ever season in the top-flight and it was fairly succesful, although the club took the drop the following season. Andy won a Second Division winners medal with Thistle in 1899-00, but he was part of the team which yo-yo'd for 4-seasons-in-a-row. “Wilson is considered by many to be the finest back in Glasgow and district this season. He has been of immense value to Partick Thistle and it is whispered that ‘ere long he will be rewarded with a benefit match” said the Evening Times in 1902. Thistle's Top two place was confirmed on the last day of that season, meaning the club would almost certainly be in the re-election ballot. Thistle succesfully lobbied for an increase from 10 to 12 clubs in the top-flight, and therefore the election of the Top 2 (Port Glasgow Athletic and Partick Thistle) was ratified without opposition at the League's AGM on 19th May, 1902. Andy can say that he saw the club to safety during his time - relegation would be non-existent for several decades from thereon. Injury and ill-health saw his appearances tail-off latterly, and he was loaned out to Alloa Athletic during 1904-05. At the end of that season, his several years of service were indeed rewarded with a benefit match on 8th May 1905, Thistle defeating Celtic by 3 goals to nil in front of 1,500 at Meadowside. Andy didn't play on the night, but bade his farewell (or so we thought) 2 weeks later as the Jags qualified for the Charity Cup final by defeating Third Lanark. Andy spent season 1905-06 back at Alloa Athletic and made a final farewell to Thistle in August 1906 by turning out in fundraiser for Renton's Tontine Park. |
| (WS/JK) |
