The Thistle Archive

A prominent back in the 1880s for Thistle, who also served as team captain for a while. Bobby joined the club in the formative years when they played at Jordanvale, their first 'private' ground. He was part of the historic team that was first to venture southwards to England in November 1881, taking on Blackburn Olympic in a 4-4 thriller. Meanwhile, Thistle continued to be near invincible at Jordanvale, and were unbeaten there for some 2 years! In fact, Thistle's only competitive defeat at Jordanvale came in February 1883 when they lost to Vale of Leven - one of the finest sides in the country - in the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup. 2,000 were there to see the massive match - the Jags were really making their own mark in the Scottish game. We know for a fact that Bobby picked up a winners medal just weeks later, for he played in both the Semi Finals and Final of the Yoker Cup, a 6-0 win over Yoker being followed by a 2-0 win over Sir John Maxwell. Just to underline how well Bobby and the Jags were progressing, a 2-0 win at home to Rangers rounded the season off very nicely.

Bobby's playing career at Thistle spanned three grounds, and he moved with the club to Muir Park for two seasons, namely 1883-84 & 1884-85. Bobby served on the match committee at that time, and was likely to be involved in picking the team. He was part of 'the great takeover' of Partick's Inchview home in time for season 1885-86, which proved to be his last as a Partick Thistle player. Bobby was guest of honour at Inchview when Blackburn Olympic came to town to contest the First Round of the FA Cup on 23rd October 1886. His great service to the club was publicly recognised when he was presented with a handsome gold watch in a ceremony before the match. It was a great day for all Partickonians as the former FA Cup winners were conquered by 3 goals to 1. The very same Partick Thistle would be shocked a few years later when news broke of a tragedy which befell Bobby when he drowned at the Govan Ferry, aged just 27. On Friday, 5th April, 1889, the Glasgow Herald reported:

Early yesterday morning, the watchman at Meadowside Shipping Yard noticed a man walking towards Govan Ferry, and immediately afterwards heard cries for help. Running to the river side, the watchman saw the man struggling in the water, but before he could give any assistance the man had disappeared. Notice of the occurrence was given to the police, by whom the body was recovered some hours later. At the receiving house [Mavisbank] the body was identified as that of Robert Brown, joiner, residing at 11 Clyde Street, Partick. Deceased was 25 [sic] years of age, single, and a native of Partick.

On Saturday, 6th April, 1889, the flags flew at half-mast at Inchview and Partick Thistle was said to be in mourning. Some of Bobby's old teammates were still active including Bob Marshall, William McDonald, Bob Robertson, Jerry Suter and Andrew Johnston, all of whom played in the 5-1 victory over Dykebar. Thistle director Andrew Smith later referred to Bobby in a 1904 interview, describing him one of our greatest 19th century players.