Any football historians able to help?

[Andrew C.]

Just a point of interest, Aberdeens nickname The Dons comes from the fact a lot of the early players where academics..

[Andrew C.]

Aberdeen wore a striped shirt for a couple of seasons at the turn of the century however they had dark shorts. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Aberdeen/Aberdeen.htm


Could it be Belfast Celtic?   https://abohemiansportinglife.com/tag/belfast-celtic/

[MonicaL]

Thanks, Andrew.

I had heard of the reference to 'The Dons'. From your comment, understand the source now 

Monica

[Andrew C.]

I’ve changed my mind I can’t see it being Belfast Celtic if AV Lothian is in the photo more likely a Scottish side.

[fiddlerslass]

A thought.... could it be a team associated with where AV Lothian was a lecturer?

 He looks possibly mid 40's and looking at the starched collars  the photo could be 1900's . In 1891 he took a job at the Glasgow Teacher training school. They had 2 Football teams, from the University of Strathclyde archives:

https://atom.lib.strath.ac.uk/glasgow-training-college-football-club

Did G J Aitken also teach there as he has a M A? Did any of the other names become teachers?

[fiddlerslass]

Found a George Jeffrey Aitken who is a Glasgow schoolteacher in 1891 and 1901 census and has an MA.  In 1935 he is in Aberdeen phone book with qualifications MA Ed B.

[MonicaL]

That is a good thought, fiddlerslass 

I do have a feeling the team is likely to have been connected to the Lanarkshire area. Glasgow connections would make sense.

More digging required!

Monica

[fiddlerslass]

I did find a newspaper article from 1926 which said G J  Aitken had been at Glasgow training college teaching for 19 years before taking the Aberdeen teaching position.

[MonicaL]

Quite a number of my father's family were in education. His father was a headmaster and mother a teacher....I think you are right about a possible link that way.

My father had an uncle who was called Patrick John (born 1892 in Glasgow). I have been looking at the electoral rolls and for the first time see he also seemed to be listed in these as John P. Wondering now if this could be the J P Tulley in that team shot.

Would likely explain why my father had a copy of that photo.

Monica