George Allan

[J.S.Norway]

I think George Allan played 6 games for Leith Athletic. 5 (+ 1 goal) in 1894/95 & 1 in 1895/96. I wonder if somebody can tell me which matches?

[Bristol Rovers]

I have tried to find an answer for you, but with limited results. George Allan definitely played:
25.8.1894 Clyde 5 Leith A 2
1.9.1894 Dumbarton 3 Leith A 2
17.9.1894 St Bernard's 6 Leith A 3

I have no reason to doubt the seasonal totals you have. Line-ups seem to fizzle out rapidly in the sources I checked and I couldn't (for instance) also find the three scorers in the St Bernard's game. So, I am missing two of his games for 1894-95 and also his goal. Leith's most exciting game in 1894-95 was the 6-5 home defeat to Celtic on 30.3.95 (4-4 at half-time and Athletic had a man sent off).

I can't find the solitary appearance either in 1895-96, but Allan scored for Leith reserves (7.12.1895) when they beat Third Lanark reserves 4-1. Sorry I can't be of greater use.

[J.S.Norway]

Thank you!. But his registration dates was 29/10-1894 for Boness, 20/3-1895 for Leith & 4/6-1895 for St Bernards + May 1895 for Burnley and 12/6-1895 for Liverpool in England. Liverpool paid Burnley £2 for his reg. He was suspendet in England 14/10 to 30/11-1895 for signing for 2 clubs. (But played for Liverpool 19/10.) I suppose Liverpool and St Bernards. He played all Liverpools matches after his suspension. I found his games and goals for Leith in AFS (Association of Football Statisticians) seasonbooks from c1985. I wonder if he was back in Leith on loan during Autumn 1895 and played 1 game, or if it is a mistake? Partick Thistle (1897/98) and Hamilton Academicals also had a George Horsburgh Allan. There must have been 2 players with same name.

[Boris57]

I have most of theLeith Athletic lineups from 1894/95 & 1895/96 but having looked at them again to try to help out with your query I'm now wondering if he was ever signed by Leith Athletic. My reasoning is a couple of bits of "evidence": 1) George was a central defender (right half) but all the lineups I have with "Allan" included show him at either outside right or centre forward. 2) Leith had another player "Allan" at this time - Thomas. Signed 14 May 1894. Always listed in a forward position. An "Allan" makes his debut for Leith, playing as a guest, in the East of Scotland Shield final v Hearts on 12 May. This Allan was with Leith until 1897. It was definitely him that played in the 2nd XI Scottish Cup tie on 7 December 1895 v Third Lanark that you mentioned. Thomas had reverted back to Amateur in August 1895 but remained with Leith until 1897. The only piece of contrary "evidence" I have of George playing for Leith was a piece in the 'Linlithgowshire Advertiser' dated 6 April 1895 & regarding the previous week when Celtic beat Leith 6-5. It states: "Bo'ness were missing four of their first eleven including Allan who we understand has signed with Leith Athletic & who played with that team on Saturday in their League match with the Celtic". Again though, the "Allan" that played that day was listed at centre-forward. So that clearly suggests he was still with Bo'ness as late as April 1895 & then he managed to sign for 3 clubs in June _ St Bernard's, Burnley & Liverpool.

I defintely think there's been a mix-up between the two "Allan"s & despite the Linlithgow Gazette piece I'm now not sure at all that he ever played for Leith as all the other evidence suggests not. Bit of a mystery that I doubt will ever be solved.

[J.S.Norway]

Now I see my mistake. I have never heard about Thomas before. I only saw Allan in games & goals for Leith in 1894/95 & 1895/96 and I thought it was George. George was a center forward with Liverpool & Celtic. I see there is a reg. for him with Leith 30/3-1895. How many league matches did Leith play after that in 1894/95 season?

[Boris57]

Just the one. Dumbarton at home the following week (6 April). 1-1 draw. Unfortunately it's the one League game from that season that I haven't been able to track down a line-up for.

Re the registration 30/3/95. That would suggest he was possibly registered to play in the Celtic game that day as the report on the Bo'ness situation in the 'Linlithgowshire Gazette' indicates. Think that would also suggest though that he was not the 'Allan' who played earlier that season. The lineups for the 3 Edinburgh League games after that 30 March date show an 'Allan' playing in all 3 at centre-forward & scoring 2 goals. Same for the 2 matches in May in the Rosebery Charity Cup - 'Allan' at centre-forward in both, no goals.

The 'Allan' that played in the early season games (3) against Clyde, Dumbarton & St Bernard's all have him listed as outside right. Looking at what we've discussed tonight I reckon those games were played by Thomas Allan & then the later ones (i.e. from Celtic 30 March on) all at centre-forward were George Allan. What do you think?

[Boris57]

Did a wee bit more digging. Managed to track down a Bo'ness line-up from one of the early season dates that an 'Allan' turned out for Leith. 25 August 1894. Leith listed Allan at outside right against Clyde. On same day, Bo'ness home to Slamanan Rovers - Allan listed at right-back. I think that supports the "conclusions" I have come to in my previous post. They are two different 'Allan's - George & Thomas. George Allan did not play for Leith before that Celtic game on 30 March 1895.

[J.S.Norway]

I think you are correct about the 2 players for Leith. George`s reg. date for Boness was 29/10-1894. Could a player play for a club before his reg. day? If not, Boness must than have had 2 Allan also. In England The Football League have matchfacts for all matches back to 1888. Is there a similar archives in Scotland?