The Thistle Archive

● Bobby Brown, 1883 (OH) Robert Brown was probably born in Scotland, although his place and date of birth remain unknown to us. * The defender probably joined Thistle in 1881. He made his first known appearance on Thursday, 13th October, 1881, in a 12-1 friendly win at home to Strathmore. Bobby scored his first known goal for Thistle on Saturday, 22nd November, 1884, in a 3-3 friendly draw away to Heart of Midlothian. He scored his third (and final known) goal for us on Saturday, 10th April, 1886, in a 7-1 friendly win at home to St Bernard's. He played his last known game for the club on Saturday, 8th May, 1886, in a 4-2 friendly win at home to Morton, having appeared for the Thistle on at least 56 occasions. His known club-list included only Partick Thistle. We don't know where or when Bobby died. * * If you can help us to improve any of these marked points on The Thistle Archive, then please do get in touch →

• Bio Extra
• Every Goal

A prominent back in the 1880s for Thistle, who captained the team at one stage. In October 1886, Bobby's service to Thistle was recognised when he was presented with a watch as a mark of esteem by the club. We've presumed him to be a 'Bobby' as Thistle director Andrew Smith referred to him that way in a 1904 interview, and it helps to keep his identity distinct from the Robert Brown who played from 1887-88. Smith thought him one of our greatest 19th century players.

(WS)

compiled from our All Games criteria.

	22.11.1884 Heart of Midlothian [a] D3-3 (Friendly)
	28.03.1885 Heart of Midlothian [h] W2-1 (Friendly)
	10.04.1886 St Bernard's [h] W7-1 (Friendly)

Historian's note: In a run of 18 games between 29 August 1885 and 13 February 1886 we (and the OH) have 9 appearances for the here-profiled Bobby Brown and 9 appearances for J. Brown, almost all at full-back, and the two never appear in the same team in that 5 month period. This seems incredible, and the chances would seem high that the two are actually the same guy. However, although Bobby appeared regularly at full-back (more than 50 appearances betwen 1881 and 1886), a "J. Brown" was specifically press-quoted in that same position on several occasions, almost all in 1885-86. One possibility is that the player may actually have been "Robert J. Brown", but with no evidence to back that up we have shyed away from joining the two profiles as one, as current knowledge goes.