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17 January 2025
 
 

Jock Rutherford

Newcastle United FC

 11 appearances, 3 goals

P 11 W 8 D 3 L 0 F 43: A 7
86% successful
1904-08

captain: none
minutes played: 990

Timeline
  John Rutherford
Birth Sunday, 12 October 1884 at 18 Backworth Street in Percy Main, Tynemouth, Northumberland
  registered in Tynemouth October-December 1884
Baptism Sunday, 9 November 1884 in St. John's Church, Percy Main
 

According to the 1891 census, the oldest of four children to James Robert Weddle and Sarah Elizabeth (née Thompson). They live 47 Brunton Street in the Chirton area of Tynemouth. His father is a coal trimmer.
 

According to the 1901 census, John is an apprentice marine boilersmith, he has three more younger sisters, making him the oldest of seven living at home with their parents. They still live at 47 Brunton Street and his father is still a coal trimmer at the shipyard.
"PRESENTATION AT PERCY  MAIN.
"Last night, at the Percy Arms Hotel, Percy Main, a few friends of Mr. Jack Rutherford, a resident of that village, and 'outside right' for Newcastle United, met to present him with a beautiful marble timepiece, as a mark of appreciation on his recent promotion to international honours. Mr. A. Stonehouse made the presentation in a complimentary speech, his remarks being supplemented by Messrs. W. Atney, J. Reay and J. Ellis. The recipient suitably responded. The toast of 'Newcastle United' was proposed by Mr. H. Bonner, and responded to by the trainer of the team, Mr. McPherson, and Mr. James Rutherford." - The Shields Daily News,Wednesday, 4 May 1904.
First marriage to Edith Olive McQueen, on Wednesday, 2 May 1906 at St. Augustine's, North Shields, Northumberland.
  registered in Tynemouth April-June 1906
"FOOTBALLER'S WEDDING AT NORTH SHIELDS.
"Yesterday afternoon, an interesting wedding took place at St. Augustin's Church, North Shields, the contracting parties being Mr Jack Rutherford, the well known Newcastle United forward, and Miss Edith O. McQueen, youngest daughter of John J. McQueen, consulting sanitary inspector of the Borough of Tynemouth. The bridesmaids were Miss Nellie Rutherford, sister of the Bridegroom and Miss Smith, cousin of the bride, while the best man was Mr Andrew Rutherford, brother of the bridegroom. Included in a large number of friends of the parties in the church were several of Mr Rutherford's club mates. A reception was held afterwards in the Parish Hall." - tbc, Thursday, 3 May 1906.
Children
Jock and Edith Rutherford have two sons together. John James (b.3 May 1907) and Bernard M. (b.1923)

According to the 1911 census, John is a professional footballer married to Edith Olive and they have one son, John. They live at 16 Warkworth Avenue in Whitley Bay, with their niece, Mary McQueen.
In the meantime, John is now the oldest of twelve, as his parents have gone on to have another four children, the third youngest being Robert and the youngest being Septimus (born almost seven months after his own son). They now live at 17 Brunton Street in Percy Main.
His mother died on 26 August 1915 in North Shields.

According to the 1921 census, John, a professional footballer for Arsenal FC, is still married and with their son they live at 58 Woodland Gardens in Muswell Hill, Hornsey.
A 1923 newspaper report states Rutherford is still at Woodland Gardens.
"OPERATION ON ARSENAL'S  FAMOUS PLAYER.
"Jock Rutherford, the veteran right-winger of the Arsenal Club, who was admitted to the Great Northern Central Hospital on Friday for observation, was found to be suffering from acute mastoid trouble. An operation was performed,, and upon inquiry at the hospital yesterday it was stated that he passed a fairly comfortable night, and that his condition was satisfactory." - Reynolds Illustrated News, Sunday, 7 February 1926.
"FAMOUS FOOTBALLER ILL ...Jock Rutherford, the famous Arsenal and Newcastle outside right—now with Clapton Orient—is lying dangerously ill with pneumonia and congestion of the lungs at the City of London Hospital, Victoria Park.
   He is on the danger list." - The Daily Express, Monday, 23 May 1927.
"'JOCK' RUTHERFORD ...The Evening News was informed at the Victoria Park hospital to-day that Mr. Jock Rutherford, the well-known footballer, who is in a critical condition with pneumonia, made a slight improvement during the night." - The Evening News, Tuesday, 24 May 1927.
"...BETTER ...Jock Rutherford, the famous international footballer, who has been seriously ill in a London hospital, is now off the danger list." - Reynolds Illustrated News, Sunday, 29 May 1927.

The 1932 British Phone Book confirms Jock has his off-licence at 193 Queens Road, telephone number CLIssold 4277. Did he and his son also trade as Jock Rutherford & Son at the Admiral Mann at 9 Hampshire Street, NW5 (GULliver 4739)?.
His father died on 23 September 1933 in North Shields.
According to the 1939 register, John, an office license holder, is married to Edith O., and they live at 19 Calabria Road in Islington.
According to the London Electoral Records as well as the BT Phone Books, John is residing at 10 Kingsbury Road in Willesden from at least 1942 where Jock Rutherford's Off-Licence trades, telephone number GLADstone 1822. Joined by Blodwen in 1945. They have moved around the corner to 391 Neasden Lane, from at least 1948, same telephone number. By 1959, the phone number has changed to DOLis HI 5722.
His wife, Edith Rutherford, died in mid-1943.
Second marriage to Blodwen Jones, in summer 1944
  registered in Edmonton July-September 1944
Death Sunday, 21 April 1963 at Ford House Store, 391 Neasden Lane, Neasden, Middlesex.
 "Jock Rutherford, the former Newcastle, Arsenal and England outside right, died at his home at Neasden, Middlesex, yesterday. He was 78." - Daily Mirror, Monday, 22 April 1963
aged 78 years 191 days registered in Willesden April-June 1963

Obituary
"JOCK RUTHERFORD DIES, AGED 78.
"Jock Rutherford, the former Newcastle, Arsenal, and England footballer, died at his home at Neasden, Middlesex, yesterday, aged 78 years. Mr. Rutherford joined Newcastle as right-winger in 1902, went to Arsenal in 1913, and retired from the game in 1927. He won 11 England caps and played in Newcastle's Cup Final sides of 1905-06-08 and 1910. In 1905 Newcastle lost 2—0 to Aston Villa; in 1906 Everton beat them by the only goal and in 1908 United went down 3—1 to Wolves. In 1910 they beat Barnsley 1—0 in a replay. Mr. Rutherford once said: 'The best game of the year is the schoolboys' international at Wembley. I always go because the boys play pure football.' Mr. Rutherford, who kept an off-licence business at Neasden, leaves a widow and two sons" - Newcastle Journal, Monday, 22 April 1963.
Probate "RUTHERFORD John of Ford House Stores 391 Neasden Lane Neasden Middlesex died 21 April 1963 Probate London 11 September to Blodwen Rutherford. Effects £5161 18s. 4d." [2024 equivalent: £92,503].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s)

 Played schoolboy football in Percy Main, scoring 88 goals in 1897-98 season, before joining Willington Athletic FC in 1900. Newcastle United FC signed him in January 1902 for a £75 transfer fee. Then, in 1907
"A month ago Middlesbrough made inquiry at St. James's Park, but Rutherford remained—on the transfer list. Then, according to entirely unofficial but fairly authentic information, Manchester City and Chelsea were inquirers after the Percy Main forward, but still the barometer indicated that Rutherford was unlikely to leave the north. When Rutherford was in the Metropolis a week last Friday, on which day the Newcastle club hoped to exchange their English international for Chelsea's Scottish international, Douglas, Rutherford still hesitated, and his return to the Newcastle fold was anticipated almost hourly. Then—Woolwich Arsenal stepped in." - The Athletic News, Monday, 3 November 1913
So Rutherford transferred to Woolwich Arsenal FC on 27 October 1913 for a £800 fee. He did turn out for Chelsea FC, as a guest, during the war. He fell out with the Arsenal side and refused to re-sign in May 1920, and it was not until the September when they did settle their differences, and he signed on, and remained with Arsenal until he was appointed as Stoke FC's player-manager between April and August 1923, but he did not appear in any league matches. He returned to Highbury, re-signing on 3 September 1923, as he his registration was still retained by the Arsenal club. However, at the start of the 1925-26 season, the Football Association refused to accept Rutherford's registration, as his name was connected with the Football Coupons....
"'Jock' Rutherford, the Arsenal forward, has definitely decided to retire from football." - The Lancashire Daily Post, Friday, 29 May 1925
"JOCK RUTHERFORD'S LIBEL ACTION.
"In the King's Bench yesterday, settlement was announced of the libel case of Rutherford v. Turf Publishers Ltd., and another. The matter had relation to the use of "Jock" Rutherford's name on football coupons. Rutherford, who has played for Newcastle United and Arsenal, gave evidence.
"Justice Swift said he was satisfied the use of Rutherford's name was entirely unauthorised. Judgment was entered for plaintiff with costs and £50 damages." - The Western Times, Friday, 30 October 1925.
"That John Rutherford, the famous Arsenal forward, is again eligible for registration as a professional was the decision arrived at by the Football Association Council meeting yesterday. Rutherford has been out of the game for a season and a half on a technical question. He brought a successful action in court in connection with the unauthorised use of his name on a football circular.
"An amendment that Rutherford should be permanently suspended from football and football management was defeated, and the Council adopted the recommendation of the Emergency Committee that, in view of his long association with the game and the loss he had already sustained, he should be reinstated." - Dundee Courier, Tuesday, 12 January 1926.
  He was allowed to re-register with Arsenal FC on 11 January 1926 following an FA Emergency Committee meeting. Before long, however, Rutherford courted a move to Bath City FC in May 1926 in order to obtain a licence for a public house in the area, but instead moved to Clapton Orient FC on 16 August of that year. After he was given a 'free transfer' at the end of that season, Rutherford retired in May 1927. However, on 30 September 1928, he signed forms with Tunbridge Wells Rangers FC, as a centre-forward.

League honours
521 appearances 103 goals		 Newcastle United FC 1902-13 290 appearances, 78 goals
debut: 1 March 1902 Newcastle United FC 4 Bolton Wanderers FC 1.
Woolwich Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC 1913-22 177 appearances, 21 goals
debut (division two): 1 November 1913 Woolwich Arsenal FC 3 Nottingham Forest FC 2.
Arsenal FC 1923-26 45 appearances, four goals
debut: 8 September 1923 West Bromwich Albion FC 4 Arsenal FC 0.
Clapton Orient FC 1926-27 nine appearances
debut (division two): 28 August 1926 Preston North End FC 2 Clapton Orient FC 2.
last (division two): 2 April 1927 Clapton Orient FC 4 Portsmouth FC 5.

Club honours		 Football League Champions 1904-05, 1906-07, 1908-09, runners-up 1925-26;
FA Cup runners-up 1904-05, 1905-06, 1907-08, 1910-11, winners 1909-10;
Sheriff of London Charity Shield winners 1907; FA Charity Shield winners 1909;
Individual honours Football League (one appearance)
Distinctions Arsenal's oldest League player at 41 years and 159 days, against Manchester City, 20 March 1926.
Two of John's younger brothers were also professional footballers Septimus (Portsmouth FC & Blackburn Rovers FC, 1927-37) and George (Newport County FC, 1929-30). Another brother, Robert (Newcastle United FC, one league appearance in April 1906). His son, John James, was playing with Woolwich Arsenal at the same time his father was (1925). His grandson is Greg Rutherford, the Olympic Long Jumper.
One of Jock's superstitions was to run out last as the teams entered the field.
Height/Weight 5' 9", 11st 2lbs [1904],11st. 6lbs [1911].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

Management Career
Club(s) Briefly managed Stoke FC, when he was appointed 26 March 1923, effective a week later, until his resignation on 30 August 1923. He resigned because he was not allowed a free reign on team selection. He later coached Tufnell Park FC for the 1929-30 season.

England Career
Player number One of four who became 298th players (300) to appear for England.
Position(s) Outside-right
First match No. 82, 9 April 1904, Scotland 0 England 1, a British Championship match at Celtic Park, Kerrydale Street, Glasgow, aged 19 years 180 days.
Last match No. 98, 13 June 1908, Bohemia 0 England 4, an end-of-season Continental tour match at Stadión Letná, Praha, aged 23 years 245 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1903-04, 1906-07, 1907-08;
Team honours British Championship winners 1903-04, shared 1907-08;
Individual honours The Professionals (one appearance, 1ᵍ December 1906);
The North (two appearances, 3ᵍ January 1907-January 1908);
Distinctions None

Beyond England
During his time playing, apart from being suspension because the turf companies illegally used his name on their coupons, Rutherford also fronted a cigarette advertising campaign for Waverley's in the mid-twenties. After retiring, he lived in Neasden, London, and became a licensee at Jock Rutherford's Off-Licence at 391 Neasden Lane. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.214/5.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
11 11 7 990 3 330 min 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
11 8 3 0 43 7 +36 0 4 3.909 0.636 86.4 +8

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 0 1 1.00 0.667 66.7 +1
Away 8 7 1 0 40 5 +35 0 3 5.00 0.625 93.8 +7

Competition Record

Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
British Championship 7 4 3 0 15 5 +10 0 2 2.143 0.714 78.6 +4
Friendly 4 4 0 0 28 2 +26 0 2 7.00 0.50 100.0 +4

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1903-04 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 0 1 1.00 0.00 100.0 +1
BC 1906-07 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 0 1 1.00 0.667 66.7 +1
BC 1907-08 3 2 1 0 11 3 +8 0 0 2.667 1.00 83.3 +2
BC All 7 4 3 0 15 5 +10 0 2 2.143 0.714 78.6 +4

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 7 4 3 0 15 5 +10 0 2 2.143 0.714 78.6 +4
7 4 3 0 15 5 +10 0 2 2.143 0.714 78.6 +4

Match History

 Club: Newcastle United F.C. - eleven full appearances (990 min) 3ᵍ F.A. International Select Committee - eleven full appearances (990 min) 3ᵍx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 19
1 82 9 April 1904 - Scotland 0 England 1
Celtic Park, Glasgow		 BC AW   or
 

one of four who became the 298th player (300) to appear for England
the second Newcastle United FC player to represent England

Age 22 trial  
two appearances - The Professionals vs. The Amateurs, December 1906;
The South vs. The North, January 1907;

2 89 16 February 1907 - England 1 Ireland 0
Goodison Park, Liverpool		 BC HW   or
3 90 18 March 1907 - England 1 Wales 1
Craven Cottage, Fulham		 BC HD   or
4 91 6 April 1907 - England 1 Scotland 1
St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne		 BC HD   or

Age 23 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1908;

Age 23
5 92 15 February 1908 - Ireland 1 England 3
Solitude Ground, Belfast		 BC AW   or
6 93 16 March 1908 - Wales 1 England 7
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff		 BC AW   or
7 94 4 April 1908 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AD   or

Age 24
8 95 6 June 1908 - Austria 1 England 6
Cricketer Platz, Wien
tour		 AW   or
9 96 8 June 1908 - Austria 1 England 11
Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien		 AW 15 or
10 97 10 June 1908 - Hungary 0 England 7
Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-Pesth		 AW 38 or
11 98 13 June 1908 - Bohemia 0 England 4
Stadión Letná, Praha		 AW 83 or
 


  

 
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