| John McEwen |
 John McKay McEwen was born on Wednesday, 5th November, 1890, in Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire. The forward temporarily transferred to George Easton's Thistle on Thursday, 9th August, 1917, from his parent club, Heart of Midlothian. Aged 26, he made his debut appearance on Saturday, 18th August, 1917, in a 3-3 draw at home to Morton in the Scottish Football League. That day, John became a member of our scoring debutant's club. He played his last game for the club on Saturday, 30th March, 1918, in a 1-1 draw away to Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Football League, having appeared as a Jag on 14 occasions. His club-list included Clydebank Juniors, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Irvine Meadow XI, Neilston Victoria, Heart of Midlothian, Partick Thistle, Dumbarton, Wallaces, Con Jones' Rangers and Vancouver Callies. John died on Friday, 17th March, 1922, in Vancouver, British Columbia, aged 31. |
 The son of Daniel McEwen (rivetter journeyman) and Janet McEwen (née McKay) who were married at Dumbarton in 1882. A late starter in the senior game, John played with several junior sides, moving from Rob Roy to Irvine Meadow in the close season of 1914, where he did well on the trophy front. He finally got his big move to Hearts in August 1915, the Edinburgh side having a number of vacancies due to the war. John made a very good impression as a Jambo, netting 9 times in 59 league appearances before switching to Partick Thistle as a loanee for season 1917-18. John was known as an inside right specialist and that's where he played all the way for Thistle. He got off to a good start in the opening league game of the season, scoring on his debut in a 3-3 draw against Morton at Firhill. In all, John registered 12 appearances in the league and 2 in the Glasgow Cup, in which a 1-0 semi final win over Third Lanark was followed by a 1-4 final loss to Rangers. He signed with Dumbarton in September 1918, where he made 10 league appearances before returning to Irvine Meadow for a second spell, taking him to the end of 1919-20. Making a bold family move, John went with his mother and sisters to Canada on 17 June 1920 to join the Dad who had left earlier. Twenty one days it took to sail on his ship that crossed the pond, wow. He settled in North Vancouver where he continued to ply his trade as a boilermaker as well as turning out as a footballer on the weekends, reportedly playing for several clubs, mainly Vancouver Callies, the local big wigs. Familiarly known as "Kay", John was a popular figure with both the fans and his fellow players, by reason of his exceptional ability and joviality. It came as a great shock to all and sundry in the springtime of '22 when a seemingly simple cut hand, sustained at work, developed blood poisoning complications which proved to be fatal. He was survived by his father, mother, 6 sisters and 1 brother who mourned his passing at the funeral service which took place at St Andrews Curch on 20th March 1922, before John was laid to rest at the Mountain View cemetery. Back home, the Irvine Herald of 31st March 1922 carried a tribute to John: “A sport and a gentleman on and off the field, McEwan [sic] was a general favourite and in his day was a great player.” |
| (WS/JK) |
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