The Thistle Archive

The son of John Young and Isabella Johnston.

Edinburgh-born John (the second John Young to play for Partick Thistle), was a stone mason turned entrepreneur, who played for fun and fitness, inside right being his preferred position. He spent two seasons as a first team regular, and gained a fair level of prominence when he was elected vice captain of the team for season 1886-87. During his first season, he scored a hat-trick in what was his first-quoted game; a 6-0 friendly win over Hearts at Inchview in January 1886. It's Thistle's record margin of victory over Heart of Midlothian, which stands to this day. All 6 of John's goals contributed to sizeable wins to nil. In November 1886 he played his part in the great FA Cup run to the last 16, scoring in the 7-0 2nd Round win at home to Fleetwood Rangers. A few months later, his friendly brace at home to St Mirren led to an astonishing 8-0 win over St Mirren, in which all 8 of the goals came in the first half!

Leaving Thistle behind, John, who was employed as a stone mason at that time, emigrated to Canada where he was able to save a pretty penny over the course of a few years and returned to Scotland, re-settling in Partick, and setting himself up as a wine and spirits merchant with a place of business in Rutherglen. Upon his return, John re-acquainted himself with his old pals at Inchview and became a member/patron of the club. In the late spring of 1891 - along with a number of early Thistle legends such as Andrew Duff, John Hendry, Thomas Campbell, Bob Robertson and Andrew Johnston - John turned out for a “Partick Thistle past” side in an end-of-season charity match for the benefit of the Whiteinch Orphanage funds. The date (30th May?) and score remains elusive for that match, so if anyone ever finds it please do let us know!

Within several weeks of that happy occasion, tragedy befell the 28-year-old who had been holidaying with his brother and sister at the picturesque coastal village of Ardrishaig near Lochgilphead. Whilst taking a dip in the Crinan Canal, a seizure due to cramp led to his accidental drowning. His brother, William, dived in to try and save him, but it was too late. John died on the Wednesday, just 3 days before the first pre-season friendly (1st August 1891) was due to take place. The club cancelled the match, and a large Partick Thistle contingent (including 40 players and officials from the past and present) followed his remains to Craigton Cemetery, where he was interred “amid the sympathetic throbs of old clubmates”. As a symbol of their regard for John, the club sent a beautiful wreath.