Whitelaw, Robert

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Fullname: Robert Whitelaw
aka: Bob Whitelaw, Bobby Whitelaw
Born: 5 March 1903
Died: […Jan 1965…] [TBC see notes]
Birthplace: Stonehouse, Falkirk
Signed: 16 Aug 1930; 1934
Left: 1932 (free); 4 June 1934 (to Cowdenbeath)
Position: Left-half
Debut: Hamilton Academicals 0-0 Celtic, League, 13 Sep 1930
Internationals: none

Biog

Left-half Robert Whitelaw made 18 appearances for Celtic in two spells at the club. He was said to be: “A whole-hearted 90 minutes player“.

Bob Whitelaw first signed for the Bhoys from Doncaster Rovers in August 1930 and made his debut in a 0-0 league draw at Hamilton on September 13th.

Celtic actually lost just two games in all that he played in, and in season 1930/31, the first team didn’t lose any games he played in. However, in season 1930/31 there were a number of draws which is what held the first team back as Celtic conceded the league to Rangers by just two points, there were ten draws in the league that season for Celtic, eight in away games. That cost Celtic the title and a chance for Robert to earn a league title medal.

Despite some quality players, Celtic were in the midst of a decline, so he was to leave with no major silverware for his efforts. However, he did get to go on Celtic’s US Tour in 1931.

He was mainly used as an able deputy to Chic Geatons and was released in the summer of 1932 when he joined Bournemouth. He later had spells at Glentoran and Queen of the South.

He returned to Parkhead in 1934 from Queen of the South but his stay was exceptionally brief and by June that year he had moved on to Cowdenbeath, and then to Albion Rovers and then back to Glentoran.

In season 1936/37, Bob Whitelaw played for Southampton before moving on to Kidderminster Harriers where he ended his playing days.

Later on, during the second World War,  he appeared back at Celtic in full army uniform, and told Celtic manager Jimmy McStay that he was in ‘Intelligence‘ as an interpreter, explaining the Scots to the English and vice-versa.

He later became a hotelier in Kidderminster.

He passed away in 1965 [TBC].

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Glasgow Cup

• 1930

Pictures

• Player Pics

Link

• World War Two

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Notes

• Certain above were taken from Alphabet of the Celts, but this conflicted with Wikipedia & a Southampton FC wiki. So checks were needed done on which is correct, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Whitelaw ; https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/bob-whitelaw/
• Date of birth (5 Mar 1903), location (Stonehouse, Falkirk) and date of passing (Jan 1965) were different across sites.
• Confirmed corrections: (1) Date of birth is confirmed as 5 Mar 1903 and NOT 2 Nov 1907 (Alphabet of the Celts), (2) Birthplace is confirmed as Stonehouse, Falkirk and is NOT Netherburn, Lanarkshire; both confirmed by Southampton FC site historians via census check. Thanks to them for the assistance.