McEwan Marshall Image 2 Chelsea 1910

Description

Rutherglen, Lanarkshire born winger Marshall McEwan started his senior career in English football with Second Division Blackpool, making his Football League debut at Bristol City in December 1903. He immediately established himself as a first team regular for The Tangerines, and such were his performances that First Division Bolton Wanderers stepped in for his signature in February 1905 after 3 goals in 50 appearances.

He enjoyed 5 years at Burnden Park, and although they were relegated to the Second Division in 1908, McEwan made 21 appearances as they won the Second Division Championship in 1909. During his five year spell with Bolton he came into consideration for Scotland, playing in the Home Scots v Anglo Scots trial match in 1906 and 1907, although he wasn’t subsequently selected for a full international cap.

After 15 goals in 164 appearances for The Seasiders, he was signed by Chelsea in April 1910 to help them try to avoid relegation, which they couldn’t do, and he stayed a further season at Stamford Bridge, when they narrowly avoided promotion finishing third. However after 3 goals in 35 appearances he joined Irish League Linfield in the 1911 close season, where he played until the First World War. His performance in the 1913 Irish Cup Final against Glentoran was described as the most amazing for years, incredible artistry, real Roy of the Rovers stuff. Old timers say he was something else as a footballer, “pure class” according to the website that lists him as number 8 in the greatest 25 players to ever play for Linfield.

McEwan won all the Irish honours during his time in Belfast. He made 10 appearances for The Irish League between 1911 and 1919, also playing in the mixed Linfield and Belfast Celtic XI that played a benefit match against the Rest of the Irish League at Grosvenor Park, Belfast in May 1915, raising money for wounded soldiers. After the War he returned to England and played for non league Fleetwood in 1920 before eventually retiring and returning to live in Belfast.

NB although published while at Chelsea, this image almost certainly shows McEwan in a Bolton Wanderers shirt.