John Bethune (footballer)
John Bethune (19 October 1888 – 23 January 1955), also known as Jack Bethune and Jock Bethune, was a professional association footballer, who played in both the Scottish Football League and The Football League.
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Bethune while with Bristol Rovers in 1921. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Bethune | ||
| Date of birth | 19 October 1888 | ||
| Place of birth | Milngavie, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 23 January 1955 (aged 66) | ||
| Place of death | Sittingbourne, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Full back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1908–1909 | Milngavie Allander | ||
| 1909–1910 | Vale of Clyde | ||
| 1910–1911 | Ashfield | ||
| 1911–1912 | Heart of Midlothian | 3 | (0) |
| Hamilton Academical | |||
| –1912 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | ||
| 1912 | Darlington | ||
| 1912–1920 | Barnsley | 103 | (1) |
| 1920–1921 | Bristol Rovers | 30 | (0) |
| 1921–1922 | Brentford | 10 | (0) |
| 1922–1927 | Sittingbourne | ||
| 1927–? | Sittingbourne Paper Mills | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in Milngavie near Glasgow, Bethune began his career by playing local football in the Glasgow area for Ashfield. He joined Edinburgh-based side Heart of Midlothian in 1912, for whom he played three times in the Scottish League in a brief spell with them before moving to English clubs Darlington and then Barnsley still within 1912. He settled in Barnsley for almost eight years in a period that was interrupted by the First World War, making over 100 Football League appearances for them.
Bethune, who was known to have a quick temper, joined Bristol Rovers in 1920 for their first season as a Football League club but left for a trial with Brentford in 1921. He played six League games during his trial, and a further four after signing for them permanently, but an injury suffered on Boxing Day that year ended his League career.
He went on to play non-League football for Sittingbourne and Sittingbourne Paper Mills and after retiring as a footballer represented England at indoor bowls in 1936 and 1938.