Arnott Wattie Image 1 Notts County 1905

Description

Pollokshields, Glasgow born right back Wattie Arnott was an amateur footballer who began his football career playing for Matilda of Pollokshields in 1879 and played for Pollokshields Athletic in 1880, Glasgow Ashfield in 1881 and Queen’s Park for the first time in 1882. He made his Queen’s Park debut in a 12-1 Scottish Cup win over Thistle in September 1882. Over the next eleven years he scored once in exactly 100 appearances for The Spiders in all competitions.

He was first capped by Scotland in a 3-0 win over Wales at Acton Park, Wrexham in March 1883, winning 14 caps (a tremendous number in the day) for Scotland over the next ten years, and he appeared in 10 consecutive matches against England, a Scottish record. The Scottish Football Association honoured Walter by presenting him with a special International Cap to commemorate his achievement.

He played for Pollokshields Athletic again in 1884 as well as for Kilmarnock Athletic that year, as well as for Newcastle West End, which subsequently merged to form Newcastle United in 1887. He first played for The Corinthians in 1889, first playing in Ireland for Ballina the same year. He played for Linfield Atheltic in 1891 and Third Lanark in 1892, playing in a Scottish League match against Renton in October 1892.

He scored once in 15 appearances for St Bernard’s in 1893. He then joined Second Division Notts County, making his debut in an FA Cup First Round defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in early February 1895 before playing for Glasgow Celtic, making one appearance for The Bhoys against Third Lanark at the end of February 1895, returning to Notts County to make his Football League debut, and only League appearance, in a win over Rotherham Town in mid-March. He continued playing for The Corinthians until his eventual retirement from football.

Arnott was also a noted cricketer, and an excellent bowls and tennis player. He was also an avid yachtsman and in later life was also Secretary of the Crossmyloof Curling Club from 1912 to 1931. Indeed The Walter Arnott Trophy is still being competed for annually between Crossmyloof CC and Lynn & Clarkston CC.