George Scott (footballer, born 1865)

Born in Scoonie, Scott moved with his family to Glasgow at a young age and found work with Cowlairs Railway Works. Initially playing for local sides Towerhill and Northern, Scott was signed by Cowlairs in 1882, before moving to Hearts in 1889.[2] On joining the club, professionalism in Scottish football remained theoretically illegal, and "almost without exception, the players were working at a trade they had." Nevertheless, Hearts had begun to offer their team unofficial compensation, and "it is related [of Scott] that at one time when the treasury was low he offered, of his own accord, to accept less money," while continuing to play.[3] In his early cup-ties, Scott "was always famous for his grit."[4] During his tenure, Hearts won two Scottish Cups and came top of the League in 1894/95.[5] In the 1890/91 and 1892/93 Seasons, Scott was top goal scorer for Hearts. By 1897, Scott was one of the oldest players in the League, along with James Kelly.[6] "One of the marvels" of the Hearts side, Geordie Scott still appeared "endowed with all his old vigour and cleverness [...] and should the first eleven require a change on the left wing the Hearts would do worse than try the old Towerhill player."[7] That year, Scott was briefly loaned to Kilmarnock to play in the Cup Quarter Final against Third Lanark. Following this, Scott formally retired from football, but came back to play in a 1902 charity match between Cowlairs and Northern for the Ibrox Fund.[8]

Nicknamed 'Great Scott,' an 1897 edition of The Scottish Referee provides a description of the player:

Two old veterans have recently been called out to don their armour in the dire necessity that arises in cup tie battles. Leitch Keir, Dumbarton, was the one, and George Scott, of Cowlairs, Hearts, and now Kilmarnock, the other. This old and sturdy player has been before the public for well-nigh fifteen years, yet so gritty is his character that he is "not deid yet." Drawn out to battle for Killie v. Third Lanark he did so manfully, and had one of the three goals. "Great Scott's" methods are not of the gentle order, and he is just the sort of person for the "tumbling-rumbling" excitement of a cup tie. Won't there be a merry time 'twixt he and the Red McLean should they meet at Logie Green? And are not Kilmarnock to be proud of a team which contains a "Big Bummer" and a "Great Scott," not to mention a Richmond?[9]

In 1930, John MacCartney recalled the 1890 Cup winners, and related what had become of them since. Of Geordie Scott, he said: "A man of position in his native Glasgow. A tremendously strong forcing player and a splendid shot. He very effectively supported internationalist Bobby Calderwood in Cowlairs team ere migrating to Edinburgh, where he kept the impetuous Davie Baird on the move."[10]

Following the end his football career, Scott carried on at the Cowlairs Railway Works, retiring in 1930 after fifty years' service and having attained the position of chief boilermaker foreman. Scott remained an active member, and president, of the Bishopbriggs Bowling Club.[11]

Sketch of George Scott from Scottish Referee