| Dan Campbell |
 Daniel Campbell was born on Friday, 10th September, 1880, in Belfast. The forward signed for Thistle on Thursday, 31st August, 1899, having most recently been with Whiteinch. Aged 18, he made his first known appearance (as a trialist) on Tuesday, 15th August, 1899, in a 4-3 friendly defeat at home to Clyde. There were no goals for Dan during his time with Thistle. He played his last known game for the club on Saturday, 1st September, 1900, in a 4-0 friendly win away to King's Park, having appeared for the Thistle on at least 11 occasions. His club-list included Whiteinch, East Stirlingshire and Partick Thistle. Dan died on Thursday, 2nd May, 1935, in Glasgow, aged 54. |
| Dan Campbell's Summary Totals |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Competitive | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| All Games | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
 This Belfast-born teenager was playing with his local team, Whiteinch Juniors, when he landed at Meadowside for a trial in August 1899. We have a strong hunch that he had previously appeared for East Stirlingshire, the Falkirk Herald reporting that a Campbell from Whiteinch had appeared for them on 22/10/1898. The 'Shire also had a Campbell re-appear in the springtime of 1899 for a few games at outside right, so every chance it's the same player (our Dan likewise played on the right wing). He may also have had another short spell with the 'Shire in April 1900 (whilst a Jag) although there's no contemporary snip to solidify the I.D. or corroborate a loan/guest arrangement. By August 1899, Thistle were back in the Second Division after two seasons in the top-flight, and looking to rebuild. Several newbies, including Dan, were in place for the opening game of the 25th season, a midweek friendly at home to Clyde. A week before the game it was announced that Clyde Football Company would go into liquidation before the start of the season. Somehow the Clyde players formed a team to play against Thistle without Clyde existing as a football club and their scratch team won a remarkable 4-3 victory over a fairly strong Thistle team. “The Partick Thistle team is a powerful one, composed of finely-built men, the majority having youth to aid them. Paul led his new comrades with judgement, divided the work with wisdom, and gave everyone the chance to distinguish himself”, reported the Sport. Soon after the game the Clyde Football and Athletic Club Ltd was quickly formed. The ground and players were purchased from the liquidators for between £300 and £400 and the new Clyde club were able to take the place of the old one in time for their first match in the First Division on 19 August. Dan, who played as a right winger, featured in another couple of friendlies soon after, all at Meadowside. A 2-2 draw with Rangers was followed by a 1-1 draw with Third Lanark, two very good results. The committee was convinced, and Dan was signed to terms on 31 August 1899. He was handed his league debut in mid October away to promotion rivals Port Glasgow Athletic, but was on the receiving end of a 1-4 defeat. It was a rare setback in the league campaign, and 14 wins out the 18 games ensured that the title was won. At the league AGM, a dramatic round of voting on 16th May, 1900, left Thistle and Clyde tied for the vital placing, which resulted in Thistle becoming the only side in the SFL ever to have been promoted by the drawing of lots. Some had argued that Clyde should not have been allowed to compete in the First Division in 1899-00, so perhaps justice was served, even if it was by sheer chance. We get a sense that Dan may have been a fast player as he was one who was selected to represent the Jags in Third Lanark's 100 Yard dash for pro footballers in July 1900. The Thistle committee’s ambition of investing in players to stay in the First Division in 1900-01 had been widely applauded, but after just a month of the new season, some players were released on cost grounds. James Henderson, Dan Campbell and James Bryce were the first to be let go. Match secretary James Gilschrist wrote to the players in September 1900, explaining the decision, citing costs as well as poor performances. This was perhaps a tad harsh on Dan who was unbeaten in his 3 (friendly) appearances to start the season off, a 2-2 draw at Rangers, a 1-1 draw at home to Clyde and a 4-0 win away to King's Park. Dan kept the letter forever, as well as his transfer release note and his player's ticket for 1900-01. These were passed down to his grandsons, and we were delighted to hear from them, Howard & Brian, in June 2025, allowing us all to share these fascinating documents today. See the 'Scrapbook' tab for these and the 'Gallery' tab for a fine picture of Dan in his Sunday best! We're uncertain of Dan's footballing movements post-Thistle. His transfer release note seems to have went unused, so perhaps that's an indication that he may have given up the game, scunnered! Away from the football, Dan was a journeyman joiner in the shipyards, as were most of his relatives at the time. He and his wife, Annie Jane, had five children one of which was Samuel H. Campbell who originally kept his dad's football memorabilia etc. Dan had taken up bowls and became a champion bowler, with trophies still being in possession by the family for winning seasons in 1918 and 1919. |
| (WS/HWC/NK/DRC) |
magnifiable if deemed necessary by your browser
