The great John McTavish paired up with John Simpson to create one of the greatest right-wing partnerships in the history of Falkirk FC. Interestingly the two players careers match well, both joining Falkirk at about 1905 from junior football, both leaving in 1910 to go on to successful careers down south, and both players making slightly over-the-hill comebacks for Falkirk during the First World War.
However there was no doubt about the nationality of McTavish [Simpson was born in England], thus the Scotland selectors were forced [then as now unwillingly] to pay attention to a "provincial" player.
After his football career was over Jock went in to management with East Stirlingshire, however it was brief and he returned to the world of work, settling in Camelon for the rest of his days.
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John Kay McTavish
b 7th June 1885, Govan, Glasgow
d 4th April 1944, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
Debut – Wednesday August 16th 1905 v Cowdenbeath (A) Friendly
League Debut – Saturday August 19th 1905 v Port Glasgow Ath (A) Scottish League Division 1
Positions – Inside-Right, Inside-Left
Representative Honours – Scotland v Ireland 1909/10, Scottish League v English League 1906/07, 1907/08
Club Honours – Scottish League Division 1 RU 1907/08, 1909/10, Dewar Shield W 1905/06, Dunedin Cup W 1917/18, Stirlingshire Cup W 1905/06, Stirlingshire Consolation Cup W 1906/07, Falkirk Infirmary Shield W 1905/06, 1906/07, 1907/08
Known Career – Ibrox Roselea, Fairfield, Petershill, Falkirk [1905/06-1909/10], Oldham Athletic [1910/11], Tottenham Hotspur [1910/11-1911/12], Newcastle United [1911/12-1912/13], Partick Thistle [1913/14-1916/17], York City [1914/15], Goole Town [1914/15], Falkirk [1917/18], Heart of Midlothian [1917/18], East Fife [1918/19-1919/20], Bo'ness, Dumbarton [1920/21], East Stirlingshire [1921/22]
Scored on his League Debut
Hat-Tricks – 1 [Stirlingshire Cup [1]]
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 25th February 1907
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 17th February 1908
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 16th February 1910
Played for 'Home-Scots' v 'Anglo-Scots', Scottish International Trial at Glasgow, 21st March 1910
Played for Blue v White, Stirlingshire FA Benefit Match at Brockville Pk, Falkirk, 27th April 1910
Note
Brother of Robert McTavish [Falkirk 1906/07-1909/10]
Obituaries
Falkirk Herald - Sat 8th April 1944
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Falkirk Mail - Fri 7th April 1944
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Bo'ness Journal - Fri 7th April 1944
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However there was no doubt about the nationality of McTavish [Simpson was born in England], thus the Scotland selectors were forced [then as now unwillingly] to pay attention to a "provincial" player.
After his football career was over Jock went in to management with East Stirlingshire, however it was brief and he returned to the world of work, settling in Camelon for the rest of his days.
John Kay McTavish
b 7th June 1885, Govan, Glasgow
d 4th April 1944, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
Debut – Wednesday August 16th 1905 v Cowdenbeath (A) Friendly
League Debut – Saturday August 19th 1905 v Port Glasgow Ath (A) Scottish League Division 1
Positions – Inside-Right, Inside-Left
Representative Honours – Scotland v Ireland 1909/10, Scottish League v English League 1906/07, 1907/08
Club Honours – Scottish League Division 1 RU 1907/08, 1909/10, Dewar Shield W 1905/06, Dunedin Cup W 1917/18, Stirlingshire Cup W 1905/06, Stirlingshire Consolation Cup W 1906/07, Falkirk Infirmary Shield W 1905/06, 1906/07, 1907/08
Known Career – Ibrox Roselea, Fairfield, Petershill, Falkirk [1905/06-1909/10], Oldham Athletic [1910/11], Tottenham Hotspur [1910/11-1911/12], Newcastle United [1911/12-1912/13], Partick Thistle [1913/14-1916/17], York City [1914/15], Goole Town [1914/15], Falkirk [1917/18], Heart of Midlothian [1917/18], East Fife [1918/19-1919/20], Bo'ness, Dumbarton [1920/21], East Stirlingshire [1921/22]
Scored on his League Debut
Hat-Tricks – 1 [Stirlingshire Cup [1]]
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 25th February 1907
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 17th February 1908
Played for Team 'B' v Team 'A', League International Trial at Glasgow, 16th February 1910
Played for 'Home-Scots' v 'Anglo-Scots', Scottish International Trial at Glasgow, 21st March 1910
Played for Blue v White, Stirlingshire FA Benefit Match at Brockville Pk, Falkirk, 27th April 1910
Note
Brother of Robert McTavish [Falkirk 1906/07-1909/10]
Obituaries
Falkirk Herald - Sat 8th April 1944
Falkirk Mail - Fri 7th April 1944
Bo'ness Journal - Fri 7th April 1944
