Alex Glen
Encyclopedia
Alexander Glen was a Scottish footballer who played as an inside-forward for various clubs in the 1900s.
in Lanarkshire
, Scotland
and was a medical student at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary
. During the Boer War
, he served in South Africa
as a surgical dresser before returning to England to commence a career as a professional footballer with Grimsby Town
. He spent the 1902–03 season with Grimsby in the First Division
, generally at inside-left alongside Bill Appleyard
in the centre. At the end of the season, when Grimsby Town were relegated, Glen moved to another First Division club, Notts County
.
At Notts County, he linked up with Welsh international William Green in the centre and Ellis Gee on the left. At outside-right was Herbert Chapman
, who went on to become manager at Huddersfield Town
and Arsenal
. Glen made twenty appearances for County, scoring three goals, in the 1903–04 season, before a move to Tottenham Hotspur
, then of the Southern League
. After two seasons with the "Spurs", he then moved to another Southern League club, Southampton
in May 1906.
He joined Southampton in time for their summer tour of Germany, where his fluent German
led to him becoming the club's official interpreter.
Glen was a "dexterous, elegant dribbler (who) swerved and weaved with devastating effect". He made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the season, playing at inside-left in a 1–0 defeat at Swindon Town
. For the next match, Glen switched to inside-right, where he soon formed a strong partnership with Frank Jefferis
on the right side of the Saints attack, with Fred Harrison in the centre. Although Harrison was to finish the season as top-scorer with twelve league goals, Glen contributed ten, including two in a 5–1 defeat of Millwall
on 6 October 1906. The combination of Glen, Jefferis and Harrison worked well until a loss of form resulted in both Glen and Harrison being dropped by manager Ernest Arnfield
for the last six weeks of the season.
In the summer of 1907, Glen moved down the Solent
to join Portsmouth
for a season, making just seven appearances, before ending his career at Brentford
.
Football career
Glen was born in KilsythKilsyth
Kilsyth is a town of 10,100 roughly halfway between Glasgow and Stirling in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Location:...
in Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and was a medical student at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
. During the Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, he served in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
as a surgical dresser before returning to England to commence a career as a professional footballer with Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He spent the 1902–03 season with Grimsby in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, generally at inside-left alongside Bill Appleyard
Bill Appleyard
William "Bill" Appleyard was an English footballer, whose career at the highest level was cut short through injury.-Football career:...
in the centre. At the end of the season, when Grimsby Town were relegated, Glen moved to another First Division club, Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
.
At Notts County, he linked up with Welsh international William Green in the centre and Ellis Gee on the left. At outside-right was Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman was an English association football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th century English football, before his sudden death in 1934.As a player, Chapman played for...
, who went on to become manager at 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...
and Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. Glen made twenty appearances for County, scoring three goals, in the 1903–04 season, before a move to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, then of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. After two seasons with the "Spurs", he then moved to another Southern League club, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in May 1906.
He joined Southampton in time for their summer tour of Germany, where his fluent German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
led to him becoming the club's official interpreter.
Glen was a "dexterous, elegant dribbler (who) swerved and weaved with devastating effect". He made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the season, playing at inside-left in a 1–0 defeat at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
. For the next match, Glen switched to inside-right, where he soon formed a strong partnership with Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis was a football player.-Playing career:He initially played football for his local non-league team, Fordingbridge Turks, before being invited for a trial at The Dell by Southampton of the Southern League in March 1905...
on the right side of the Saints attack, with Fred Harrison in the centre. Although Harrison was to finish the season as top-scorer with twelve league goals, Glen contributed ten, including two in a 5–1 defeat of Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on 6 October 1906. The combination of Glen, Jefferis and Harrison worked well until a loss of form resulted in both Glen and Harrison being dropped by manager Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield
Ernest Arnfield was the secretary/manager of Southampton F.C. from 1897 to 1911, and again from 1912 to 1919.-Honours:Southampton*Southern League champions: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1900–01, 1902–03 and 1903–04*FA Cup finalists: 1900 and 1902-References:...
for the last six weeks of the season.
In the summer of 1907, Glen moved down the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
to join Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
for a season, making just seven appearances, before ending his career at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
.