Bob Campbell
Bob Campbell
A. Player

probably born in Scotland

Robert Campbell was born on Friday, 28th June, 1867, in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire.

The defender joined Thistle in 1892.

Aged 25, he made his first known appearance on Saturday, 8th October, 1892, in an 8-3 defeat away to Cowlairs in the Scottish Alliance League.

There were no known goals for Bob during his time with Thistle.

He played his last known game for the club on Saturday, 13th April, 1895, in a 4-0 defeat at home to Hibernian in the SFL Second Division, having appeared for the Thistle on at least 90 occasions.

His club-list included Jordanhill Juniors, Partick Thistle, Craigston Strollers, Linthouse and Airdrieonians.

Bob died on Wednesday, 19th April, 1922, in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, aged 54.

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Bio Extra

Son of Richard Campbell (coal miner) and Catherine Campbell (née Jeffries). Strangely, his place of birth is recorded as Newton Colliery, Cambuslang. What really went on there, who can say? He had two older brothers, James (b. Cambuslang, 1864) and John (b. Dalry, 1865).

Bob was a worker from very early on, and he was mining for iron at the aforementioned Newton Colliery, aged 13. We'll take a guess that the fitba' was escapism from the pressures of a hard-working life. His formative years as a footballer remain a bit of a mystery for now, although we know that he played with Jordanhill before Thistle. For sure, he played with Thistle in their first-ever League season, namely the Scottish Alliance of 1892-93. John Litster reports that, whilst primarily a Jag, he had short stints at Craigston Strollers (Aug 1893) and Linthouse (Aug 1894), and that he moved to Airdrieonians in 1895-96.

Bob married twice; firstly to Christina Dunn and then to Mary Graham. He was living in Hamilton when he came to a very sad end indeed in April, 1922. Whilst working at the local Earnock Colliery in Burnbank, the roof caved in on him. He was extricated within half-an-hour, but had suffocated to death in the rubble. His son, Richard, signed the death register entry.

Bob's funeral took place in Hamilton on 22nd April 1922 and was described as one of the largest seen in the district for years. He was survived by his wife and a family of twelve, the ages of the six youngest ranging from 10 months to 10 years.

(WS/JK)



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