George Livingston

[J.S.Norway]

Was he manager (and when)for Dumbarton and Clydebank c1920?

[ScottishFA]

He was appointed manager of Dumbarton in January 1919 and stayed with them until summer of 1920 when he became trainer of Rangers. I don't think he had a connection with Clydebank.

[J.S.Norway]

I agree. I think Clydebank is an old error in a Douglas Lamming book.

[bluedragon]

The only Clydebank link I can find is that his successor as Rangers trainer, James Kerr, had been at Clydebank for three years. George Livingston left Rangers in August 1927 due to ill health but had clearly recovered to join Bradford City as trainer for the 1928/29 season, He left that post and retired from the game at the end of the 1934/35 season.

[ScottishFA]

A couple of other queries about Livingston's career:

Several accounts say he played for Dumbarton before joining Hearts in 1896, but I can find no record of this. As far as I can tell, he was with Artizan Thistle (a Dumbarton juvenile team), and had a brief trial with Parkhead juniors before going senior.

There is also mention of him joining Everton in 1900, sometime between Hearts and Sunderland, but again I can find no record.

Anyone have additional info?

[J.S.Norway]

His registration with Hearts was 4/6-1896. Age 20. No mention of transfer. I think he was on trial with Everton in March 1899.

[bluedragon]

It looks like Everton were keen to sign him but they ended up in a dispute with Sunderland over who held his registration.

Everton FC board minutes 23 May 1899

Livingstone - Resolved we offer the Hearts £250 for transfer & give him £5 & £4 per week wages.

Scottish Referee 2 June 1899

Reports a potential transfer fee £250.

Scottish Referee 11 September 1899

Short article on his career to date (currently at Hearts) including a mention of three seasons at Sinclair Swifts before joining Artizan Thistle.

Everton FC board minutes 22 February 1900

Trials - to be given on March 3rd to Livingstone & Kitchen.

Everton FC board minutes 3 July 1900

League Meeting - Sec. reported re Livingstone, Holt, Halliday & Oldham........

There had been a dispute between Everton and Sunderland over who held his registration. Everton claimed he was on their retained list but Sunderland signed him. The Football League Management Committee determined in Sunderland’s favour on 30 June 1900. There are plenty of reports on the BNA of the circumstances.

I hope that this helps.