Johnny Paton
Encyclopedia
John "Johnny" Paton is a Scottish former association football player, manager and scout, and later a professional snooker
referee. He is currently (Jan 2010) the oldest surviving Chelsea player and was a special guest of honour at Chelsea Football Club at their centenary dinner, in 2005. Born in Glasgow
, Paton played on the outside-left and spent seven years playing for Celtic
making a total of 108 appearances and scoring 29 goals, although part of this period coincided with the Second World War where he would serve in the RAF. He represented the service in a team which featured the likes of Sir Stanley Matthews. During the war years he also guested for a host of English clubs. From 1946–47 he spent time on loan at English club Chelsea
, where he made 23 appearances and scored 3 goals. He then joined Brentford
in September 1949 for £5,000 for whom he played a total of 90 matches, scoring 14 goals, before then moving onto Watford
in 1952. He played 84 matches and scored 17 goals for The Hornets, the team he would be appointed manager in October 1955. He relinquished the role four months later after just two wins from his fifteen Football League matches at the helm. He also had a stint as coach to the Arsenal
youth team.
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
referee. He is currently (Jan 2010) the oldest surviving Chelsea player and was a special guest of honour at Chelsea Football Club at their centenary dinner, in 2005. Born in 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...
, Paton played on the outside-left and spent seven years playing for 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...
making a total of 108 appearances and scoring 29 goals, although part of this period coincided with the Second World War where he would serve in the RAF. He represented the service in a team which featured the likes of Sir Stanley Matthews. During the war years he also guested for a host of English clubs. From 1946–47 he spent time on loan at English club Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, where he made 23 appearances and scored 3 goals. He then joined 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....
in September 1949 for £5,000 for whom he played a total of 90 matches, scoring 14 goals, before then moving onto Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in 1952. He played 84 matches and scored 17 goals for The Hornets, the team he would be appointed manager in October 1955. He relinquished the role four months later after just two wins from his fifteen Football League matches at the helm. He also had a stint as coach to the 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...
youth team.