by tonypark » Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:04 pm
Hi,
I am a Manchester United historian and came across your reference to John Gourlay.
In Garth Dykes book, 'The United Alphabet' it has this to say about Gourlay.
"John Gourley's solitary appearance was made at a time when a suitable successor to James McNaught - transferred to Tottenham Hotspur - was still to be unearthed. Yet another recruit from the Annbank Club in Ayrshire, Gourlay's debut at Loughborough Town resulted in a welcome away win by 1-0. His performance, however, was no improvement on displays by several predecessors in the vital centre-half role. The 'Cricket & Football Field' reported: Gourlay is slow, he can head the ball and tackle, but he will need to come on a lot if he is to fill the long-felt want of a pivot to follow McNaught. Gourlay was not retained at the end of the season, his stay at Clayton having lasted for a little over two months."
Apart from his coming from Annbank there are no references to his other clubs, nor the friendly match v Celtic. In Dykes book it gives no date of birth except 1879 so it is feasible it may be a different person. However, the fact that he was a 'journeyman' in the English leagues, particularly the north-west suggest it might be the same person.
Of course, Manchester United were still called Newton Heath in 1899 and played their games at Bank Street, Clayton.
Hope this helps
Tony