Alex Young (footballer, born 1880)

Alexander Simpson Young (23 June 1880 – 17 September 1959) was a Scottish professional footballer who played for St Mirren, Falkirk, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, South Liverpool and represented Scotland at international level.[1][3]

Sandy Young
Personal information
Full name Alexander Simpson Young[1]
Date of birth (1880-06-23)23 June 1880
Place of birth Slamannan, Scotland
Date of death 17 September 1959(1959-09-17) (aged 79)
Place of death Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+12 in)
Position(s) Inside right
Youth career
1898–1899 Slamannan Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1899–1900[2] St Mirren 17 (6)
1900–1901 Falkirk 19 (11)
1901–1911 Everton 275 (109)
1911 Tottenham Hotspur 5 (3)
1911–1912 Manchester City 13 (2)
?–? South Liverpool ? (?)
Total 329 (133)
International career
1905–1907 Scotland 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
The grave of Alex Young, Seafield Cemetery

Football career

edit

He is the all-time fourth highest scorer for English club Everton and scored the only goal to win the 1906 FA Cup Final.[4] Some attribute to him a total of 110 league goals for Everton,[4] which would put him in second spot behind Dixie Dean. He was also the Football League's top scorer in 1906–07.[5]

In 1911 he moved South to London and joined Tottenham Hotspur. Young scored on his Lilywhites debut in a 2-2 draw against his old club Everton at Goodison Park in September 1911 in the old First Division.[6] Alex would score three goals in five appearances for the Spurs.[7]

After leaving White Hart Lane, Young went on to play for Manchester City before ending his playing career at South Liverpool.

Post-playing life

edit

Young was convicted of the manslaughter of his brother in Australia in June 1916 and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.[8][9] At times it was rumoured that he was hanged for sheep-rustling in Australia. Young, who was considered mentally unstable, died in an Edinburgh asylum[5] on 17 September 1959 and is buried in Seafield Cemetery between Leith and Portobello. Everton FC, which supported Young throughout his life with occasional cash assistance, unveiled a new headstone in Edinburgh's Seafield cemetery on 3 September 2014. Everton Heritage Society chairman Paul Wharton said at the ceremony: "This is an Everton legend from 100 years ago that Evertonians will talk about in another 100 years. We had to honour the man and we're made up with how well it's gone. The Club are proud and so are we."

Honours

edit

Everton

Sources

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888–1939. soccerdata. p. 290. ISBN 1-899468-63-3.
  2. ^ John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Young's international stats Retrieved 27 August 2009
  4. ^ a b c "Sandy Young | Everton Football Club". www.evertonfc.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Gallery of Players Signed Between 1900 – 1919". efchistory.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Tottenham Football/ Premier League debut scorers".
  7. ^ Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 1 December 2012 Archived 15 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Brother Shoots Brother. Tongala Tragedy. Verdict of Manslaughter". The Argus (Melbourne). 21 June 1916. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  9. ^ The Australian Manslaughter Case. | Verdict Against Well-known Footballer. The Scotsman, 22 June 1916. Scan via London Hearts Supporters Club