Kelso Bob Image 1 Renton 1885

Description

Cardross, Dunbartonshire born right half and later right back Bob Kelso began his football career with Renton in 1884 and while with Renton won the first of 7 caps for Scotland through to March 1898 when he played against Ireland at Hampden Park in March 1885. Renton also became one of the first clubs to have laid claim to the title ‘Champions of the World’ when in 1888, as Scottish Cup holders, with Kelso in the side, they challenged and beat the FA Cup holders West Bromwich Albion. In 1888 he joined Newcastle West End but moved later the same year to join Football League club Everton, for whom he made his Football League debut, and only appearance of his first spell with The Toffees, against Preston North End in January 1889.

Preston promptly signed him in the summer of 1889 and he was an ever present as Preston won the League Championship in 1889-90 before moving back to Everton in 1891, after 41 matches for The Lambs. Back at Everton he played in the 1893 FA Cup Final, although this was lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Fallowfield, and he enjoyed five seasons at Goodison Park, being runner up in the League to Sunderland in 1895. After 5 goals in 104 matches for The Toffees he returned to Scotland joining Dundee in May 1896 for whom he scored twice in 40 appearances over the following two seasons. On January 29th 1898 Kelso was called up for the Scottish League side to face the Irish League at Dundee’s home ground Carolina Port. In 1898 Kelso returned to English football with Southern League club Bedminster, soon to change its name to Bristol City, where he ended his career.