Soldier Wilson

David "Soldier" Wilson (23 July 1883 – 27 October 1906) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre forward. Born in Hebburn, he earned his nickname as a teenager while serving with the Cameron Highlanders and the 1st Battalion, Black Watch. He also served in South Africa during the Boer War.[1]

Soldier Wilson
Personal information
Full name David Wilson
Date of birth (1883-07-23)23 July 1883
Place of birth Hebburn, England
Date of death 27 October 1906(1906-10-27) (aged 23)
Place of death Leeds, England
Position(s) Centre-forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1902–1903 Raith Rovers 6 (4)
1903–1905 Dundee 23 (11)
1905 Heart of Midlothian 4 (3)
1905 Hull City 10 (3)
1905–1906 Leeds City 21 (13)
Total 64 (34)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Wilson began his footballing career in Scotland with Raith Rovers.[2] He left the Army to play professional football with Scottish Football League Division One side Dundee[3] and later had a spell with Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian.[4] At the start of the 1905–06 season, Wilson moved to England to join Football League Second Division side Hull City. After scoring three goals in ten league matches,[5] he was signed by Leeds City for a transfer fee of £150. During his first season at Leeds Wilson made 15 league appearances and scored 13 goals, making him the club's top scorer in the 1905–06 campaign.[1]

While playing for Leeds City against Burnley on 27 October 1906, Wilson left the pitch during the second half after suffering chest pains. When two of his teammates sustained injuries at the same time, he returned to the field of play against medical advice. However, he was unable to complete the match and had departed the pitch when Burnley inside forward Arthur Bell scored a late winner for the visitors. Wilson collapsed and had to be carried to the Leeds dressing room where he died despite efforts to resuscitate him. A subsequent post mortem found that Wilson had died from a heart attack.[1][6]

See also

References
  1. Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley Football Club. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.
  2. John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "1903-04". DundeeFC.net. 23 April 2002.
    "1904-05". DundeeFC.net. 23 April 2002.
  4. "David (Soldier) Wilson". London Hearts Supporters Club.
  5. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888-1939. p. 283. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  6. Matches: 27 October 1906 - Leeds City 0 Burnley 1, The Mighty Mighty Whites
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