Duncan Urquhart

[Scottish]

Neil Kaufman writes:

"I see in the 1938-39 season Clapton Orient had a player on their books named DUNCAN URQUHART whom I’m told was a Scottish International player and born in Gorgie, during August 1908 and died in 1960. I believe he played for Hibs and Aberdeen in the 1930s. Would of your members have any more on him?"

Left-back Duncan Urquhart was indeed a Scottish international. He was one of seven debutants (including Matt Busby & Willie McFadyen) in the match against Wales at Cardiff in October 1933. Scotland lost 3-2 and that proved to be his only cap.

He did play for the clubs you mention. According to Douglas Lamming's book he was born in Gorgie on August 18th 1908 and started out with Clinton Vale then Newtongrange Star before signing for Hibs in 1928-29. He moved on to Aberdeen in September 1935, spent a period on trial at Barnsley in September 1937 then joined Barrow in October 1937, remaining with them until the end of the season.

There's no mention of Orient but that is probably because he didn't play for the first team (Neil sent me a pic of a reserve programme from 1939 featuring Urquhart at left-back).

Lamming describes him thus: "Stubborn and unyielding. Urquhart was not able to establish himself with Aberdeen, however. Worked as a grocer before joining the paid ranks."

John Litster's pre-war disk gives his signing dates as 26/9/28 for Hibs and the same date in 1935 for Aberdeen though he also has a note saying it was Sep 28th. His contract was cancelled by Aberdeen on Oct 29th 1937.

Since 1888 doesn't mention Orient either but has him joining a side called 'Waterfoot' after leaving Barrow. Confusingly they also credit him with a cap for the League of Ireland. I wonder if they mean Waterford (though there are places called Waterfoot in England, Scotland & Northern Ireland) though I can't see how he could have been an LoI cap.

Any further information would be appreciated.

[bobby s]

According to Emms:

1928/29 11
1929/30 32
1930/31 29
1931/32
1932/33
1933/34 38
1934/35 33
1935/36 6

I can't find any record of him scoring - as full back that's not entirely surprising.

I don't have summary data for the second division seasons either in 31-33, but what teams I do have would suggest he was a regular through thi s period too.

[Scottish]

Neil has since received further information (from Michael Joyce, author of the 1888-1939 FL appearances book) to the effect that the League of Ireland cap was v the Irish League in 1940. Since the then Irish Free State was neutral during WW2 that would qualify as an official appearance. He also confirms that it was Waterford that Urquhart joined after leaving Clapton Orient. He also had a spell with Cork City in between Barrow and Orient.

Appearance information is the same as Bobby's and adds 3 for Aberdeen in 1935-36 and 2 in 1936-37. However, Kevin Stirling's centenary history of Aberdeen credits him with 3 appearances in that latter season. It also gives the 1935-36 appearances to a John Urquhart but that doesn't square with John Litster's pre-war disk.

[bobby s]

He made 24 league appearances in 1931/32, and 31 in 1932/33.

[bobby s]

And, finally,

He played his final game for Hibs on 21st September 1935 v Hearts: a game which Hibs lost 8-3 at Tynecastle. Urquhart & Willie Watson were given free transfers after the game after reputedly playing whilst suffering from the effects of alcohol - so suffering that both were sick at the side of the pitch. Urquhart claimed this was in fact due to a blow received early in the match.

http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/imag ... 092401.htm

[karenbuglass]

Hi

Duncan was my grandfather although he never married my Grandmother.

We have records and a newspaper clip of him getting his cap for Scotland and a picture of him with the hibs team.

He died before I was born.

[Scottish]

Thanks for that info and welcome to the forum.