Bob Bonthron

Bob Bonthron
Personal information
Full nameRobert Pollock Bonthron
Date of birth1880
Place of birthBurntisland, Scotland
Date of deathNot known
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing positionRight back
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
Raith Athletic
1900–1902Raith Rovers
1902–1903Dundee
1903–1907Manchester United119(3)
1907–1908Sunderland23(1)
1908–1910Northampton Town
1910–1911Birmingham11(1)
1911Airdrieonians
1911–19??Leith Athletic
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert Pollock "Bob" Bonthron (1880 – after 1911) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a right back for Manchester United, Sunderland and Birmingham in the Football League.[1]

Bonthron was born in Burntisland, Fife. He played for Raith Rovers and Dundee[1] before joining Manchester United in May 1903.[2] He helped them to promotion to the First Division in the 1905–06 season, and made a total of 134 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals.[3] He was a combative player, and during the promotion season was at the centre of a serious incident after Manchester United's match at Bradford City. His treatment of Bradford player Jimmy Conlin during the match enraged the crowd, and after the game Bonthron was attacked by home supporters. Criminal charges followed against the perpetrators, and a Football Association (FA) inquiry resulted in the temporary closure of Bradford City's Valley Parade ground.[4][5]

He joined Sunderland in May 1907, playing 24 games,[6] before moving on the following year to Northampton Town, with whom he won the Southern League championship in the 1908–09 season.[7][8] He spent the 1910–11 season with Birmingham before returning to Scotland with Airdrieonians and Leith Athletic.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData (Tony Brown). p. 30. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. "United All-Time Transfer List". red11.org. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  3. "Bonthron". Manchester United: The Official Statistics Website. Barn End Media. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  4. Frost, Terry (1988). Bradford City A Complete Record 1903–1988. Breedon Books Sport. p. 53. ISBN 0-907969-38-0.
  5. "Fallen Heroes of the Great War". bantamspast Museum. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  6. "Robert Bonthron". StatCat. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  7. Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  8. "Northampton Town". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Archived from the original on 2007-08-28.