4th May 1898 Partick Thistle 6 Rugby Rovers 1 (Partick Jubilee Nurse Fund Benefit)

matches:1897-98: ← 33game 3401 →

Match Information

John Buchan; George Morrison; Willie Ferguson; James Brydson; George Drummond; Alex Legge; Houston
Jamie Auchincloss; James Lamont; Bob Duncan; Fred McDiarmid; Joseph Baker; Robert Gray; Walter Lindsay
Houston (1-0, 1st half); James Brydson (2nd half); James Brydson (2nd half); James Brydson (2nd half); George Drummond (2nd half); George Drummond (2nd half)					J. S. McDiarmid (6-1, 87 mins)
			James Gourlay		D. G. Findlay
22y, 9m, 9d			Andy Wilson		T. Hendry
19y, 9m, 0d			John Buchan		W. G. Thomson
21y, 0m, 1d			George Morrison		J. T. Tulloch
			Robert Currie		W. P. Donaldson
			Willie Ferguson		R. T. Neilson
21y, 7m, 14d			James Brydson		J. H. Couper
22y, 3m, 17d			George Drummond		F. H. Dunn-Pattison
			Donald McNeil		C. E. Orr
			Alex Legge		J. S. McDiarmid
			Houston		T. C. Dunlop
21y, 5m, 26d

notes

John Buchan (Alloa Seafield), Willie Ferguson (Ashton), George Drummond (Alloa Seafield), James Brydson (6th GRV) & Houston (Copeland) all played as trialists for Thistle.

match data help required

We're always looking to improve our match data in terms of filling in missing timings, profile pictures, identifying unknown forenames, missing linesmen etc. We require specific help in this match: What was the attendance? Please do get in touch → if you can assist in any way!

Match Report

TTA report

A bizarre friendly against rugby players in aid of the Partick Jubilee Nurse Fund. The rugby chaps didn't lack enthusiasm but Houston gave Thistle a half-time lead. Brydson (3) and Drummond (2) made it an easy win. “There was more fun than football and the spectators were highly amused” (GH).

Media report

05-May-1898, Glasgow Herald

PARTICK THISTLE v RUGBY ROVERS – Teams representative of these Association and Rugby clubs played, last night, at Meadowside, Partick, a benefit match in aid of the Partick Jubilee Nurse Fund. Unfortunately, the weather was unfavourable, and the attendance limited. The game started in a very lively fashion, and the Rovers, who played with the wind, kept the home backs busy. Lack of earnestness on the part of the Rugbyites lost several points. The Thistle were more eager, and Houston scored the only goal in the first half. In the second half, the Thistle had the best of matters, and goals were got by Brydson (three) and Drummond (two). Throughout the game there was more fun than football, and the spectators were highly amused. The best men on the Rovers side were T. Hendry, R. T. Neilson, J. H. Couper and T. C. Dunlop. Result:– Partick Thistle, 6 goals; Rugby Rovers, 1 goal.

Scrapbook

magnifiable if deemed necessary by your browser

Glasgow Herald, 5th May, 1898

Scottish Referee, 6th May, 1898

Stats Watch

● The closing game of the 23rd season of Partick Thistle F.C.

● 19-year-old John Buchan makes his first-known appearance for Thistle.

● 21-year-old James Brydson makes his first-known appearance for Thistle and, theoretically, joins our scoring debutants club, bagging a hat-trick on the night!

● 22-year-old George Drummond makes his first-known appearance for Thistle and, theoretically, joins our scoring debutants club, netting a brace on the night. These turn out to be his only goals for the club!

● Houston registers his only-known appearance for Thistle and, theoretically, joins our scoring debutants club.

● Willie Ferguson registers his only-known appearance for Thistle.

● Alex Legge makes his last-known appearance for Thistle.

ongoing sequences:

● 5 consecutive away League defeats; 4th Dec 1897 to date. (A new club-record.)

● 5 consecutive competitive defeats, 3rd Jan 1898 to date. (Longest run since the club-record: 5 defeats, 9th Mar 1895 to 13th Apr 1895.)

● 6 competitive away games without a win; 4th Dec 1897 to date. (Longest run since / now a joint club-record with: 6 games; 12th Dec 1891 to 9th Apr 1892.)

● 6 consecutive competitive away defeats; 4th Dec 1897 to date. (A new club-record.)

● 14 competitive games without a clean-sheet; 23rd Oct 1897 to date. (Longest run since: 23 games; 5th Oct 1895 to 19th Sep 1896. Club-record: 45 games; 27th May 1893 to 18th May 1895.)

● 36 consecutive competitive appearances for John C. Spence, 14th Nov 1896 to date, a new personal best. (Longest run since: John Campbell - 39 games, 10th Nov 1894 to 11th Apr 1896. Club-record: Willie Freebairn - 44 games, 27th May 1893 to 13th Apr 1895.)

Stats Watch adheres to our stated definitions of League, League Max, Major Competitive, Competitive or All Games. Where there is no written qualification, you should presume that the Stat in question is compiled from the All Games criteria.

.

match hubs

advertisement

Partick Thistle: A People’s History celebrates 150 years of the club through the eyes of the fans. It will be a superb addition to your Thistle collection, expertly curated and edited by Kenny Pieper, a real heart and soul effort from the author and the contributors (the fans).

• The book is set to be published in August 2026, priced at just £15.
• A real labour of love - all royalties to the club.
• Click on the book and reserve your copy directly from ptfc.co.uk