HUGHIE MONTEITH

Hughie began his career with one of Glasgow Celtic's nursery sides, Parkhead Juniors, and subsequently joined the famous Glasgow club. Staying at Celtic Park for just one season, he then moved south in 1895 to join Loughborough FC playing in the Football League Second Division.

In the summer of 1897 after making 58 appearances between the sticks, and with the club needing to reduce their overdraft liabilities he was transferred to Southern League Bristol City for their first season as a professional club. It was playing with the St John’s Lane side that he was regarded as one of the finest net-minders in the country.

The able custodian made seventy appearances for the West Country outfit before signing for the Hammers on the 27 June 1900 in the transitional period from the discarded Thames Ironworks and the clubs new beginnings under the title of West Ham United.

Monteith made his debut appearance in the Southern League Division One, as West Ham United got off to a splendid start with a 7-0 win over Gravesend United at the Memorial Grounds on Saturday 1 September 1900 in front of a crowd of around 2,000 spectators. The goals against column totalled a miserly 28 in that initial campaign as professionals, a figure which didn't go unnoticed among Football League clubs as being mainly down to this popular goalkeeper.

His fine form led to his transfer to Bury on 6 May 1902 – the Shakers were a force to be reckoned with in those days - he appeared for them in the 1903 F.A. Cup Final at Crystal Palace against Derby County. The 6-0 scoreline in favour of the Lancastrians remained as a record margin of victory in a final until Manchester City equalled the feat against Watford in the 2019 Final. Monteith later played for Kilmarnock, Beith, Morton and Dundee Hibernian.

 

Born: 4 September 1875, New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland

Career: 1900-1902, Appearances: 60

Died: 4 July 1920, Monkland Canal at Millerston, Glasgow, Scotland (aged 44)