Robert Paton (footballer)

Robert Paton

Paton with Vale of Leven in 1877.
Personal information
Date of birth	c. 1854
Place of birth	Bonhill, Scotland
Date of death	17 February 1905 (aged 51)
Place of death	Bonhill, Scotland[1]
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
	Vale of Leven
International career
1879	Scotland	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Paton (c. 1854 – 17 February 1905) was a Scottish footballer who played as a forward.

Career

Born in Bonhill, Paton played club football for Vale of Leven, and made two appearances for Scotland in 1879.[2][3] He was a founder member of Vale of Leven[2] and was part of the team that won the Scottish Cup in 1877, scoring the winning goal in the final's second replay.[4] He was still with the club when they retained the trophy in 1878 and 1879, but he did not take part in either of those finals.[1] According to historical records of Queen's Park, Paton was the first player ever to score against the Glasgow club in January 1875.[5]

Personal life

Some publications assert that Daniel Paton, also an international from the same neighbourhood, was his brother,[2] but this was found to be incorrect.[4]

References

1. "Famous Old Footballer Dead – Member of the Noted Vale of Leven Team". Dundee Evening Post. Dundee, Scotland. 17 February 1905. p. 3. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
2. Paul Smith (2013). Scotland Who's Who: International Players 1872–2013. Pitch Publishing. p. 237.
3. In Memoriam. | Robert Paton, Vale of Leven FC. The Scottish Referee, 24 February 1905. Scan via London Hearts Supporters Club
4. Mitchell, Andy (2021). The men who made Scotland: The definitive Who's Who of Scottish Football Internationalists 1872-1939. Amazon. ISBN 9798513846642.
5. Chapter XII.—Three Historic Games, History of the Queen's Park Football Club 1867 - 1917, Richard Robinson (1920), via Electric Scotland