The Thistle Archive

The son of James Muirhead (master plumber) and Agnes Muirhead (née Bryson) who were married in 1877 in Newington.

An inauspicious friendly against Port Glasgow Athletic was won by Thistle 1-0 in mid-January 1900. It was a game notable only for the debut of John Muirhead of Duntocher Hibs, who was to go on to play well over 100 times for the club. Left wing forwards were in the majority for Thistle in the earl 1900s, but it was stated that several of them, such as Reid and Muirhead, were quite capable of adapting themselves to other positions. John picked up a silver medal in his first season proper, but Thistle lost 1-3 to Rangers in the Glasgow Cup final at Celtic Park on 10th November 1900. On a sodden pitch Thistle started the better but Rangers soon took control. Haggart dithered leaving Wilkie no chance (10). McNicoll went close, then Rangers hit the post but scored on h-t. Thistle faded badly and at 3-0 Robert Campbell scored a consolation (87). “Play was seldom exciting… a poor game” said the Herald.

Thistle continued to progress well in 1903-04, but John regressed personally, his appearance tally falling to 13 in all competitions. In fact, it was reported that there were some discipline problems during the campaign, when John hadn't turned up for training. In October 1904, he was loaned to Clyde for the duration of 1904-05. Thistle retained his registration papers for several seasons, but no transfers were made and John's involvement was limited to a couple of isolated appearances in first team terms, with another short loan spell at Dumbarton along the way.

John was commonly known as 'Duff'; research shows that Duff means dark haired, looking at his picture, he easily qualifies! Away from the football, he was a journeyman ship joiner, and married Margaret Henderson, a dressmaker, on 23rd September 1902, in Whiteinch, an occasion which made the papers. At the Lorn Hotel on New Years night 1903, the club presented 'Duff Muirhead' with a telescope table on the occasion of his recent marriage. “There has been quite a marriage epidemic at Meadowside within the last few months, almost half the team having joined the bonds of wedlock” said the Daily Record. We're glad to hear it - it certainly helps us to crack the player IDs! Duff and Margaret raised a family together. He died at 29 Cherry Court, Methil (home of his daughter Mrs. Fleming) when it was stated he was the husband of the late Margaret Henderson.

Just over a year later, Rangers had spotted potential, and requested permission to play Thistle's William Massie and John Muirhead against Third Lanark as a trial. Thistle had a game the same day (31st March 1902), against St Mirren, and permission was denied. It was only a Western League fixture, but it's likely the committee was looking ahead to the big game at Hamilton the following week, where there was still an outside chance of winning the Second Division title. In the end, that game finished 2-2, but Thistle were confirmed as being promoted at the league AGM vote of 19th May 1902, so it was a season of fine achievement for John. He was obviously acquitting himself well in these seasons, judging by his high appearance tallies, and he racked up 30 competitive appearances in 1902-03 as Thistle finished a respectable 8th in the 12-club top-tier in their first season back.

1900 - GLASGOW CUP

1902 - SFL SECOND DIVISION