Bobby Shearer(29 December 1931 – 5 November 2006)[3]was a Scottish professionalfootballplayer andmanager.Shearer representedScotlandin four full international games.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Shearer | ||
| Date of birth | 29 December 1931 | ||
| Place of birth | Hamilton,Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 5 November 2006(aged 74) | ||
| Position(s) | Right-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Burnbank Athletic | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1951–1955 | Hamilton Academical | 73 | (13) |
| 1955–1965 | Rangers | 267 | (2) |
| 1965–1966 | Queen of the South | 30 | (0) |
| Total | 370 | (15) | |
| International career | |||
| 1961[1] | SFL trial v SFA | 1 | (0) |
| 1961[2] | Scottish League XI | 2 | (0) |
| 1961 | Scotland | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1965–1966 | Queen of the South | ||
| 1967 | Third Lanark | ||
| 1970–1971 | Hamilton Academical | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editShearer, aright-back,played 423 times in all competitions forRangersbetween 1955 and 1965,[4]including a run of 165 consecutive games.[5]He previously played forHamilton Academical,his hometown club, and also forHighland LeagueclubInverness Thistlewhile onNational Servicein the Army in the early 1950s, at Fort George Barracks just outsideInverness.His combative playing style led to him being nicknamed 'Captain Cutlass'.
He made his fullScotlanddebut on 15 April 1961, in the infamous 9–3 defeat againstEnglandatWembley.[3]It was frequently joked afterwards that as an orange football had been used, Shearer andRangersteammateEric Caldowhad refused to kick it, whileCelticplayersFrank HaffeyandBilly McNeillhad refused to touch it.[3]Despite this inauspicious start, Shearer won further caps against theRepublic of Ireland(twice) andCzechoslovakiainWorld Cupqualifiers the following month, his final game being a 4–0 defeat inBratislava.
Shearer captained Rangers to their seconddomestic treblein 1963–64.[5]In all, he won five league championships, threeScottish Cupsand fourScottish League Cupsduring his time atIbrox.[4][5]
He alsodeputised as goalkeeper(at least) twice, by coincidence againstHeartsatTynecastle Parkon both occasions, taking over fromNorrie Martinin a League Cup fixture in 1958 which Hearts won 2–1,[6][7]and more impressively an 82-minute shift in place of the injuredBilly Ritchiein a 3–1 Rangers victory in 1960.[8]
Coaching career
editAfter leaving Rangers, Shearer moved toDumfriesclubQueen of the Southas player-coach in the era of players such asAllan Ball,Iain McChesneyandBilly Collings.In January 1967, Shearer was appointed manager of ill-fatedThird Lanark,who folded later that year. He moved back to his hometown club Hamilton Academical and served as their manager, amongst other tasks.[3]
Death
editHe died following a short illness on 5 November 2006, aged 74.[3]
References
edit- ^Ronnie McDevitt (2016).Scotland in the 60s: The Definitive Account of the Scottish National Football Side During the 1960s.Pitch Publishing.ISBN9781785312458.[permanent dead link]
- ^SFL player Bobby Shearer,London Hearts Supporters Club
- ^abcdeVallance, Matt (7 November 2006)."Bobby Shearer".The Scotsman.Retrieved25 January2011.
- ^abRangers player Shearer, Bobby,FitbaStats
- ^abcHall of Fame: Bobby Shearer,Rangers FC
- ^Neil 'Norrie' Martin,The Scotsman,23 October 2013 (viaPressReader)
- ^Sat 23 Aug 1958, Hearts 2 Rangers 1,London Hearts Supporters Club
- ^Wed 26 Oct 1960, Hearts 1 Rangers 3,London Hearts Supporters Club
External links
edit- Bobby Shearerat Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- Bobby Shearerat theScottish Football Association
