Cameron Jock Image 2 Chelsea 1908

Description

Kirkwood, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire born left back Jock Cameron played for Kirkwood Thistle in 1898 and joined Scottish League club St Mirren in September 1900. While at St Mirren he was picked three times to represent The Scottish League, playing twice against The Irish League and once against The Football League between February 1903 and April 1904. He also was awarded his first Scottish international cap against Ireland at Dalymount Park in March 1904 before moving south to join English First Division club Blackburn Rovers in April 1904 after 73 appearances for The Buddies, making his Football League debut at Middlesbrough the same month.

He replaced Jack Eastham as the club’s regular left back, and played 67 games for the club between 1904 to September 1907, before signing for Chelsea, who had won promotion from the Second Division, in October 1907. After maintaining their top flight status in 1907-08 and 1908-09, he was awarded a second international cap in April 1909, playing against England at The Crystal Palace. After The Pensioners were relegated in 1909-10. Cameron stayed at the club as they missed out on promotion by one place and two points in 1910-11, before he helped Chelsea to promotion as Second Division runners-up in 1911-12 when they finished level on points with Champions Derby County, who had a superior goal average. He then helped the club to finish one place above the relegation zone in 1912-13.

After having made a total of 179 League and 15 Cup appearances for Chelsea, he joined Central League club Port Vale in the summer of 1913. It was a step down in footballing terms, as proved by the opponents of his 1st September debut, Blackburn Rovers Reserves, the game finished a 3-3 draw. He played 32 games in the Central League and helped the club qualify to the FA Cup first round. He departed at the end of the season, but returned in August 1916. He became the first choice left back once again in March 1917 and in August 1918 was appointed both the club captain and team manager. He largely stopped playing to concentrate on management duties, but was sacked in January 1919, at which point he went into retirement.