Alan Morton
Encyclopedia
Alan Lauder Morton was a Scottish international footballer and 'Wembley Wizard
'. He was known for his stirring wing play as an outside-left and commitment to Rangers
. He retired from active play in 1933.
, Glasgow
and grew up in Airdrie
, where his family relocated due to his father's work. After leaving Airdrie Academy
, he had an unsuccessful trial with Airdrieonians
. Consequently, he entered studies to become a mining engineer, simultaneously playing with Queen's Park
, the famous amateur club with whom he began his career in 1914. Once fully qualified in 1920, he turned professional, becoming Bill Struth
's first signing as manager of Rangers, but only on the proviso that he could maintain his position as a mining engineer.
Morton only measured 5 ft 4 inches in height but his talent lay in his physical balance, speed and thought. As a result of this association, Struth's intuitive training and the combination of an array of internationals (not least Bob McPhail
and David Meiklejohn
), Rangers enjoyed a sustained period of success. Highlights included the famous 1928 Scottish Cup
triumph against Celtic
in which Rangers ended a 25-year wait to win the Cup 4–0.
In addition to this Morton went onto receive winners’ medals as Scottish Football League
champion in 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927–31 and as a Scottish Cup
Winner in 1930 and received runners-up medals in 1921, 1922 and 1929. Morton made his debut for Rangers against Airdrieonians on August 17, 1920 and played his last game against the same opposition on January 7, 1933 in between which ‘The Wee
Blue Devil’, as he was nickname
d played 495 times and scored 115 goals.
on February 26, 1920 against Wales
) but would go on to play in every international against the Auld Enemy, England
, from 1920 to 1932 bar the fixture at Old Trafford in 1926, eventually winning 31 caps. In addition he made 15 appearances (scoring 1 goal) for the Scottish League XI
(making his debut on February 22, 1919 against the Football League at St. Andrews
, Birmingham
) and 3 Scotland Victory International appearances (the first of which was on April 26, 1919 at Everton
's Goodison Park
, in front of 45,000 in a 2–2 draw).
It was in the 1928 full international in London where Morton, as part of an under-rated Scottish side that beat England 5–1 in driving rain to record a famous triumph, earned the moniker: 'Wembley Wizard'. Three of Morton’s crosses were converted by Huddersfield Town
's Alex Jackson
. Ivan Sharpe
, the ex-player and writer, commented on the victory: ‘England were not merely beaten. They were bewildered – run to a standstill, made to appear utterly inferior by a team whose play was as cultured and beautiful as I ever expect to see.’
politics in reaction to the rise in post-War Scottish nationalism
. Today a portrait of Morton in his Scottish strip stands at the top of the marble staircase at Ibrox
's Main Stand such is his enduring stature at the club.
Wembley Wizards
- Aftermath :When asked for his comment after the game, Alex James simply beamed a smile and said, “We could have had ten!”Back in Scotland the pubs did rather well and the newspapers were not slow in piling praise on the heads of those little no-hopers of the Scottish side...
'. He was known for his stirring wing play as an outside-left and commitment to Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. He retired from active play in 1933.
Early life
Morton was born in JordanhillJordanhill
Jordanhill is an affluent area of the West End of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. The area consists largely of terraced housing dating from the early to mid 20th century, with some detached and semi-detached homes and some modern apartments....
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and grew up in Airdrie
Airdrie, North Lanarkshire
Airdrie is a town within North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It lies on a plateau roughly 400 ft above sea level, and is approximately 12 miles east of Glasgow city centre. Airdrie forms part of a conurbation with its neighbour Coatbridge, in the former district known as the Monklands. As of 2006,...
, where his family relocated due to his father's work. After leaving Airdrie Academy
Airdrie Academy
-Admissions:It has a current roll of approximately 1,100 pupils. As part of Education 2010, a new building was opened in October 2006 to replace the previous one, which had been in use for almost 70 years....
, he had an unsuccessful trial with Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
. Consequently, he entered studies to become a mining engineer, simultaneously playing with Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
, the famous amateur club with whom he began his career in 1914. Once fully qualified in 1920, he turned professional, becoming Bill Struth
Bill Struth
Bill Struth was the second manager of Rangers Football Club, leading the Club for 34 years between 1920 and 1954, as well as the holder of a number of other positions, including director...
's first signing as manager of Rangers, but only on the proviso that he could maintain his position as a mining engineer.
Morton only measured 5 ft 4 inches in height but his talent lay in his physical balance, speed and thought. As a result of this association, Struth's intuitive training and the combination of an array of internationals (not least Bob McPhail
Bob McPhail
Robert Lowe "Bob" McPhail was a Scottish professional footballer, who played for Airdrieonians, Rangers and represented Scotland.-Career:...
and David Meiklejohn
David Meiklejohn
David "Davie" Ditchburn Meiklejohn was a Scottish professional footballer most famous for his time with Scottish club Rangers.-Career:Born in Govan, Glasgow, Meiklejohn joined Rangers from junior club Maryhill F.C...
), Rangers enjoyed a sustained period of success. Highlights included the famous 1928 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
triumph against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in which Rangers ended a 25-year wait to win the Cup 4–0.
In addition to this Morton went onto receive winners’ medals as Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
champion in 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927–31 and as a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Winner in 1930 and received runners-up medals in 1921, 1922 and 1929. Morton made his debut for Rangers against Airdrieonians on August 17, 1920 and played his last game against the same opposition on January 7, 1933 in between which ‘The Wee
Small
Small may refer to:People:* Albion Woodbury Small , founded the first Department of Sociology in the United States at the University of Chicago* Ambrose Small , Canadian theatre magnate...
Blue Devil’, as he was nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d played 495 times and scored 115 goals.
Rangers
Morton had already been capped while an amateur before joining Rangers (making his debut for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on February 26, 1920 against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
) but would go on to play in every international against the Auld Enemy, England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, from 1920 to 1932 bar the fixture at Old Trafford in 1926, eventually winning 31 caps. In addition he made 15 appearances (scoring 1 goal) for the Scottish League XI
Scottish League XI
The Scottish League XI is a representative side of the Scottish Football League. The team regularly played against the Football League and other national league select teams between 1892 and 1980. For a long period the annual fixture between the English and Scottish leagues was only second in...
(making his debut on February 22, 1919 against the Football League at St. Andrews
St Andrews (stadium)
St Andrew's is an association football stadium in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, England. It has been the home ground of Birmingham City Football Club for more than a century....
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
) and 3 Scotland Victory International appearances (the first of which was on April 26, 1919 at Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
's Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, in front of 45,000 in a 2–2 draw).
It was in the 1928 full international in London where Morton, as part of an under-rated Scottish side that beat England 5–1 in driving rain to record a famous triumph, earned the moniker: 'Wembley Wizard'. Three of Morton’s crosses were converted by Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
's Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson
Alexander Skinner Jackson was a Scottish footballer.Alex Jackson was born in Renton in 1905. A highly-talented winger, known as the Gay Cavalier, he was particularly adept at dribbling and free kicks. He initially played for Renton Victoria Football Club but was transferred to Dumbarton F.C. in...
. Ivan Sharpe
Ivan Sharpe
Ivan Gordon Sharpe was an English amateur association football player. Although an amateur himself, he played for several professional clubs, including Watford, Derby County— with whom he won the Football League First Division in 1911–12–and later Leeds United...
, the ex-player and writer, commented on the victory: ‘England were not merely beaten. They were bewildered – run to a standstill, made to appear utterly inferior by a team whose play was as cultured and beautiful as I ever expect to see.’
Appearance
Morton's dress was as precise as his play. He was a familiar figure strolling down Paisley Road West towards training at Ibrox sporting, as befitted a professional man of the time, bowler hat and umbrella, which caused locals to dub him "The Wee Society Man" (insurance salesman).Retirement
After retiring Morton’s impact was felt as an administrator, becoming a powerful figure within Scottish sport. He was appointed to the Rangers board and he remained there until the year of his death. Further afield, he demonstrated an inclination toward UnionistUnionists (Scotland)
Unionism in Scotland is the belief in that Scotland should remain in the United Kingdom in its present structure as one of the countries of the United Kingdom. There are many strands of political Unionism in Scotland, as well as sympathisers with Unionism in Northern Ireland...
politics in reaction to the rise in post-War Scottish nationalism
Scottish independence
Scottish independence is a political ambition of political parties, advocacy groups and individuals for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent sovereign state, separate from England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. Today a portrait of Morton in his Scottish strip stands at the top of the marble staircase at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
's Main Stand such is his enduring stature at the club.