Jock Baxter

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Jock Baxter

John Baxter was born on Wednesday, 30th December, 1863, in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire. The forward appeared for Thistle in May, 1885. Aged 21, he made his only known appearance on Saturday, 30th May, 1885, in a 2-0 friendly defeat away to Dundee Harp. There were no goals for Jock in his only known appearance for Thistle. His club-list included Partick Thistle, Elswick Rangers and Newcastle West End. Jock died on Tuesday, 6th September, 1927, in Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, aged 63. * If you can help us to improve any of these marked points on The Thistle Archive, then please do get in touch →

Bio Extra

Jock registered only one appearance for the Partick Thistle first team when he turned out at inside left in an end-of-season friendly at Dundee Harp in May 1885. “A big crowd turned out to see 'the celebrated Partick Thistle'” said the Courier! Harp took the lead (20) after sustained pressure at a scrimmage. The Thistle defence played well but shooting was wild. A better second half saw numerous chances wasted and some ill-luck before Thistle goalie Andrew Duff blundered off his line for 2-0. Jock worked both as a brass finisher and as iron turner in his working life, and made the move to Newcastle in 1886, another northern industrial town. When he joined Elswick Rangers, the Sunderland Echo noted for the early game with Sunderland that Elswick Rangers had a new team and included… Chalmers (Glasgow Rangers), Tait (Third Lanark), McGirl (Dundee Harp), Baxter & Johnstone (Partick Thistle), O'Byrne (Hibs) & Beattie (late pro, Burnley). Seven Scots / three Jags on the same journey - and by some amazing co-incidence he teamed up with McGirl who had played against him for Dundee Harp in the aforementioned Thistle game! Jock played once for Newcastle West End as a guest, in April 1889. Also that year, he won the Northumberland Senior Cup with Elswick Rangers, and appeared for Northumberland County on several occasions. He remained with Rangers as a regular to 1892, and Tyneside remained his home for life. In April 1902, he played in a veterans match, Newcastle v Sunderland, in aid of the Ibrox disaster fund. In his personal life, Jock married Grace and all 4 of their children - Thomas, Janet, Jessie & Grace - were born in Newcastle. Jock died at his home in Benwell in September, 1927. His funeral took place in that home district (in the west end of Newcastle) on Saturday, 10th September, 1927, and a great many of his old footballing pals were in attendance, a mark of his enduring popularity. In their obituary on 12th September 1927, Shields Daily News gave a little insight into the man: The death has taken place of "Jock" Baxter who was one of the pioneers of the old Elswick Rangers club. Baxter, who was 63 years of age, came from Glasgow to Newcastle in 1886, and as an inside left he played for Elswick Rangers until the club was disbanded. He also appeared on several occasions for the County. He was popular both on and off the field and was a keen admirer of Robert Burns the poet. Several old players of the Rangers, East End, West End, and Rendel clubs, were present at the funeral, also Mr G. Young of the Northumberland FA.

(WS/PJO/AFK)