Walter Arnott (12 May 1861 – 18 May 1931), sometimes known as Wattie Arnott,[1] was a Scottish footballer who played for Queen's Park and the Scotland national team.[3]

Walter Arnott
Personal information
Full name Walter Arnott[1]
Date of birth 12 May 1861
Place of birth Govan, Scotland
Date of death 18 May 1931(1931-05-18) (aged 70)[2]
Place of death Clarkston, Scotland
Position(s) Right back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Matilda
Pollokshields Athletic
0000–1882 Ashfield
1882–1893 Queen's Park 0 (0)
Pollokshields Athletic (guest)
1884Kilmarnock (guest)
Newcastle West End (guest)
Corinthian (guest)
→ Ballina (guest)
1892Third Lanark (guest) 1 (0)
1893–1894 St Bernard's 15 (1)
1895 Notts County 1 (0)
Corinthian
International career
1883–1893 Scotland 14 (0)
Managerial career
Queen's Park (youth)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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Born in Pollokshields[4] (then in Renfrew County but in the parish of Govan), Arnott joined Queen's Park from Pollokshields Athletic in 1882 as a replacement for Andrew Watson and remained with the Glasgow club until 1893.[3] However, as an amateur he was free to play for other clubs, including Kilmarnock, Newcastle West End, Notts County, Third Lanark[5] and Corinthian.[1][3][6][7] He also coached the young players at Queen's Park,[6] initially retiring from playing in 1888 before being persuaded to return.[4]

At Queen's Park, he won the Scottish Cup three times in 1884, 1886 and 1890, gaining additional medals in the Glasgow Cup and Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup,[8] typically partnered by Andrew Holm and later by Bob Smellie.[9] He also won FA Cup runners-up medals in 1884 and 1885.[8] He switched to St Bernard's on a permanent basis (making all but one of his Scottish Football League appearances with the Edinburgh club) following a dispute with Queen's Park regarding being overlooked for the later stages of the 1892–93 Scottish Cup, but did not play for Belfast side Linfield as reported in some sources – this player, who won an Irish Cup medal, was Willie Arnott, brother of Wattie.[4][10]

Arnott was capped 14 times by Scotland between 1883 and 1893.[3] He appeared in ten consecutive matches against England, a Scottish record, although it has been noted that the results of those matches were not always in Scotland's favour, with the style of play used by Queen's Park differing from that used by the likes of Renton and Celtic, and some defensive partnerships from the different 'schools' being ineffective.[9] The SFA honoured Arnott by presenting him with a special International Cap to commemorate his achievement – this is now displayed at the Scottish Football Museum.

Other sports

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Arnott was also a noted bowls, cricket, and tennis player. He was also an avid yachtsman.[4] He was also Secretary of the Crossmyloof Curling Club from 1912 to 1931.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 11. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  2. ^ Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  3. ^ a b c d "Scottish Football Association". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Mitchell, Andy (2021). The men who made Scotland: The definitive Who's Who of Scottish Football Internationalists 1872-1939. Amazon. ISBN 9798513846642.
  5. ^ "Third Lanark Player Arnott Details". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b Cairney, John (15 April 2011). A Scottish Football Hall of Fame. Random House. ISBN 9781780570594.
  7. ^ Scottish Corinthians Archived 30 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Andrew Watson: Corinthian
  8. ^ a b "Arnott, Walter". www.qpfc.com. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b Walter Arnott, Iain Campbell Whittle, Scots Football Worldwide
  10. ^ Celebrating Walter Arnott, born 150 years ago today *, Scottish Sport History, 12 May 2013
  11. ^ The reference to his being the Secretary was found inscribed on the 'Walter Arnott Trophy' still being competed for annually between Crossmyloof CC and Lynn & Clarkston CC.
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