Thomas Masterton (fl 1879-82)
Heart of Mid-Lothian Footballer
Thomas Masterton appears in some newspaper reports from the early years of Association football in Scotland, playing as a full back for Heart of Midlothian between 1879 and 1882, on one occasion scoring an own-goal when playing against the Scottish Canadians. On the same page as the report of that match in the Glasgow Herald, is the account of the tenth International between Scotland and England, played on 13th March 1880, in which Scotland defeated England by 5 goals to 4. Happy days!
Masterton was also selected to play for an Edinburgh select against Sheffield later that year, this time on the winning side. According to the team listings, clubs played a 2-2-6 formation at that time so it's no surprise that matches were high-scoring. He played his last two games for Hearts in April 1882, both of them resulting in defeats with six goals scored against them. He may well have been a casualty of a reshuffle of the defence!
Genealogy
To be determined. Possibles include Thomas Masterton (1854-1929), law clerk, who was living in Montague Street in the 1881 census. He married in September 1882. Another possible is Thomas Masterton, plasterer, born 1857 in Dumfries, who was resident in 82 South Bridge in Edinburgh in 1881, having married in March of that year.
The Scotsman
Saturday 8th February 1879
EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY v. HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN - These Association clubs met for the first time at the University ground, Corstorphine. The game was very fast throughout. The "Heart" having won the toss, elected to defend the north goal. Smith kicked off for the University, and after some neat dribbling, the ball was taken well down to the "Heart" goal, and Smith had a shot, which just missed scoring. After the goal kick, Pullen had a nice run, and passing the ball to Burns, the latter scored a goal for the "Heart." The 'Varsity now made determined efforts to equalise matters, Smith and Grant being conspicuous, but the back play of the "Heart" frustrated all attempts, and the ball was again run up to their goal, and Alexander sent in a hard shot, which their goal-keeper failed to stop. After ends were changed, the game was very equal, both sides having good runs, and the 'Varsity backs working better together, kept the "Heart" forwards at bay for a time, but they were not to be denied, and after some fine passing in front of the 'Varsity goal, Lees put through a third goal for the Heart. The 'Varsity forwards now pulled themselves together, and after a fine run, Smith scored a goal for them. Shortly before time was called, Alexander secured another goal for the "Heart." The match thus ended in the defeat of the University by four goals to one. The teams were:-
Edinburgh University. - Goal, J. Stewart; backs F. Hunter, R. Worsley; half-backs McDonald, Myrtle; forwards, Tulloch (captain), Bateson, W. Jackson, J. Smith, Craig, Grant.
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - Goal, J. Reid; backs, T. Purdie (captain), T. Masterton; half-backs, R. Barber, J. Sweeny; forwards, Lees, Alexander, Burns, G. Barber, Lightbody, Pullen.
The Scotsman
Edinburgh
10 February 1879
Saturday 15th February 1879
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. DUNFERMLINE - PRESIDENT'S CUP TIE. - Played at Powburn beofre a large turn-out of spectators. In the first half, with the wind in their favour, the Dunfermline pressed their opponents very hard for a time: but the Heart forwards at last breaking away, scored a goal after a fine passing run. Immediately after the centre kick, the Dunfermline placed another goal to their credit. With change of ends, the Heart's forwards were speedily clustering round the Dunfermline goal, but want of judicious play in their centre spoiled several good chances, till Sweeny, getting a corner kick, planted a shot right into the goalkeeper's hands, from which a goal was scored. The Heart had now the best of the game, shot after shot being sent in to the Dunfermline goal without effect, thier goalkeeper and backs playing a strong defensive game; and their forwards made strenuous efforts to get the ball away to no purpose, as the Heart secured another two goals before time was called. The match thus ended in a win for the Heart by four goals to two. Sweeny and Lees for the Heart, and D. Brown, Knight, and Hendy for Dunfermline were conspicuous for their play. Teams:-
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - Goal-J. Reid; backs-Purdie (captain), Masterton; half-backs-R. Barber, J. Sweeny; forward-Lees, Alexander, Mitchell, G. Barber, Lightbody, Pullen.
Dunfermline - Goal-J. Nelson: backs-J. Hendy, J. Brown: half-backs - J. Horne, J. McBride: forwards - J. Bruce, D. Knight, J. Taylor, J. Toddie, P. Donald, D. Brown (captain).
Saturday 26th April 1879
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. THISTLE. - Edinburgh University having scratched to the Hanover for the President's Cup, a match between the above teams was played instead at Powderhall, and resulted in the Heart completely reversing the defeat they received earlier in the season. Winning the toss, the Thistle captain played with a slight breeze during the first half. Purdie kicked off for the Heart, but the kick was well returned and the Thistle were soon down at their opponents' goal, and obtained a corner, which had no result. Several good runs were now made on both sides, both goal-keepers having to use their hands repeatedly. The Heart having obtained a free kick close on their opponents' goal, the ball was well placed, and after a hard tussle, was at last forced through, Whitson giving it the final touch. Nothing of importance took place before change of ends, when, with the wind in their favour, Hearts pressed their opponents very hard, and were only prevented from scoring through the exertions of G. McNeill. However, the Hearts were not to be denied, and Whitson succeeded in again forcing the ball through. The Thistle now made determined efforts to score, but all to no purpose, as the ball was again taken down to their goal, and Archibald scored the third goal for the Heart. Before time was called, the Heart placed another goal to their credit. Teams:-
Heart of Mid-Lothian - Goal, Reid; backs, Masterton and Purdie (captain); half-backs, R. Barber and Sweeney; forwards, Archibald, Whitson, G. Barber, Mitchell, Alexander, Pullen.
Thistle - Goal, G. McNeill (captain); backs, Wishart and Anderson; half-backs, Weir and Crawford; forwards, McLeod, Fisher, Cochrane, A. McNeill, E. McNeill, J. McNeill.
The Scotsman
Edinburgh
28 April 1879
Glasgow Herald
Saturday 10th May 1879
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN V. HANOVER.
FINAL TIE FOR PRESIDENT'S CUP
The final tie for the President's Cup (Edinburgh Association) was played off on Saturday afternoon at Powderhall in presence of a large gathering of spectators, and, after a much harder struggle than was anticipated, the handsome trophy was won by the Heart of Mid-Lothian. There was little change in the Heart team, but the Hanover had secured the service of four new members (belonging to the Govan), which made them stronger than usual. This proceeding, however, was severely criticised, and nearly led to the match not being played, but as rule 3 of the cup competition rules is only supposed to refer to the Scottish Association Cup, the point was waived. If the Edinburgh Association want to save endless disputes, they will, however, get this made clear before next season. Purdie won the toss, and the Hearts, who had the wind in their favour for the first half, were soon down at their opponents' goal, and Lees put the ball between posts ten minutes after starting. Immediately after a second goal was scored out of a scrimmage, Barber giving the ball the final touch. This put the Hanover on their mettle, and aided by fine back play (an importation from the West) they played up better, and after a fine run and centre by Finlay, Reid scored their first goal, and Ross placed a second to their credit immediately after. Matters were now equal, and the game began to look interesting, as both sides had fine runs, and the goal-keepers were kept well employed, but Lees again got hold of the ball, and after some neat passing, succeeded in scoring a third goal. Before half-time the Hearts managed to place another goal to their score. With change of ends and the wind in their favour, it was confidently expected that the Hanover would equalise matters, but for a time the good back play of the Heart kept them at bay. They were not to be denied, however, and with a fine rush the ball was forced through the Heart's goal, Reid just failing to stop it. For the rest of this half the play was of a give-and-take character, good runs and unnecessary charging being the order of the day, but the ball was again brought down in front of the Hearts' goal, and after a hard tussle it was put through for the fourth time, making matters again equal, and time was called before anything of importance took place. An extra half-hour had therefore to be played, which gave the Hearts the wind for the first quarter, and they were successful in scoring another goal, which was about all that is worthy of note till the finish. For the winning team Lees, Alexander, and Mitchell, forward, and R. Barber, half-back, carried off the honours, and the Glasgow contingent (Bentley, Smith, Cameron, and Reid) played all the game for the Hanover. Teams:-
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - Goal, J. Reid; backs, T. Masterton and T. Purdie; half-backs, G. Ovens and R. Barber; forwards, A. Lees, J. Whitson, G. Mitchell, G. Barber, J. Alexander, and W. Pullen.
Hanover. - Goal, McKenzie; backs, Bentley and Smith; half-backs, Dawson and Cameron; forwards, Finlay (capt.), Ross, Holmes, Reid, McCauslane, and Robertson.
Glasgow Herald (?)
Glasgow
12 May, 1879
The Scotsman
Saturday 30th August 1879
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. HAMILTON ACADEMICALS. - The season at Hamilton was opened with the above match on Saturday before a large turn-out of spectators, who enjoyed a really good match. The Heart captain lost the toss, and had a slight wind and the hill against him for the first half. From the kick off it was evident that the teams were well matched, but the Hamilton played best together, and scored twice in this half. After change of ends, the Heart forwards pulled better together, and made matters equal before time was called. For the Academicals, Dunn, at half-back, and McCallum and Lightbody forward, played well; for the Hearts, Masterton, back, and Lees and Alexander forward, were conspicuous. The Hamilton Academicals open the Edinburgh season at Powderhall on Saturday, where a good match may be expected.
Teams:- Heart of Mid-Lothian Goal, J. Reid; backs, T. Masterton, .....
The Scotsman
Edinburgh
1 September 1879
Glasgow Herald
Saturday 13th March 1880
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. SCOTTISH CANADIANS. - The Scottish Football Association sent through to Edinburgh a team bearing the above name to meet the Heart of Midlothian on their ground at Powderhall. When the team turned out it was seen to be composed mainly of members of the Rangers and Parkgrove Clubs, and with the exception of Vallance, Beveridge, and H. McIntyre, the Canadian team were conspicuous by their absence. They were quite stong enough, however, to give the local club a good thrashing, as the result showed. In the first half, Campbell, Struthers, and Galloway scored once each for the strangers, while Nelson did the same for the Heart. In the second half, Campbell scored another, and from a long throw by him Masterton put the sphere through his own goal. The result was a win for the Canadians by 5 to 1.
Teams:- Heart of Mid-Lothian - Reid, goal; Purdie (captain), Masterton, backs; R. Barber, Edwards, half-backs; Lees, Alexander, J. McNeil, G. Barber, A. McNeil, and Nelson, forwards. Scottish Canadians. - Gillespie, goal; Watson, Vallance (captain), backs; Gow, H. McIntyre, half-backs; Campbell, Struthers, J. McIntyre, Galloway, Fraser, and Beveridge, forwards.
Glasgow Herald
Glasgow
15 March, 1880
Saturday 10th April 1880
MATCHES PLAYED ON SATURDAY
EDINBURGH v. SHEFFIELD - A match between Association teams belonging to Edinburgh and Sheffield was played on Powderhall Grounds, Edinburgh, and after a hard and fast game the home team came off the winners by three goals to one. Rain fell during the greater part of the game, and as a consequence the ground was soft, and falls were frequent. English rules were observed for the first half, and at the outset the visitors seemed to have the best of it, the Edinburgh goal being frequently pressed. At last, about 25 minutes after the start, Winterbottom had a captal run down the right, and when near the posts he shot a fine goal. Edinburgh, however, immediately after the kick-off got clean away and also scored a goal, McNeil having headed the ball in. During the remainder of the first half the game was very fast, and the strangers' goal was fequently pressed, but the goalkeeper made a capital defence, and averted every attempt made to take possession. After ends were changed the play was of a give-and-take character for a time; but again Edinburgh came to the front, and after a combined run by the forwards, in which Smith and Rorke in the centre did some good passing, being ably seconded by the rights, a second goal was gained for the home team, Smith giving the finishing touch. The Sheffield men strove hard to make up this deficiency on their side, but without success. The Edinburgh men again got down on their opponents' lines and secured a corner kick. Kavanagh centred well, and in the scrimmage which followed the ball was put between the posts. The visitor's goalkeeper distinguished himself for his capital defence, and some good running was done by Winterbottom and others.
Teams. Edinburgh - D. Browne (goal); M. Byrne and T. Masterton, backs; R. Barbour and P. Kavanagh, half-backs; A. Lees, J.P. Bruce, J. Smith, F. Rorke, A. McNeil, and D. Brown, forwards. Sheffield - Sykes, goal; T. Buttery and Stacey, backs; Baringham and S. Charles, half-backs; W. Mosforth, P. Andrews, J.J. Lang, A. Malpas, T. Bishop, and Winterbottom, forwards.
Glasgow Herald
Glasgow
12 April, 1880
Saturday 27 August 1881
RANGERS v. HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN (EDINBURGH) - This fixture came off on Saturday on the ground of the Heart of Mid-Lothian, at Tynecastle, near Edinburgh, and resulted in a draw - one goal each. The game throughout was very fast - especially towards the close of the second period. In the first half Bruce, when the game was only five minutes old, scored goal number one for the home team; a point which Petrie at the end of the next five minutes secured for the Rangers. From this point to the end of the game the play was of a give-and-take character. Waugh, for the Hearts, had three easy shots at goal, and on each occasion failed to score. The wing men of the Rangers and the backs played exceedingly well, as did the Hearts forwards and Reid at goal. The teams were:-
Rangers - Macdonald, goal; A. Vallance and A. Maskelyne, backs; McIntyre and Gilchrist, half-backs; D. Hill, W. Corbett, Inglis, Smith, Petrie, and Maitland, fowards.
Heart of Mid-Lothian - Reid, goal; Masterton and Gair, backs; Edwards, Alexander, and Davidson, half-backs; Lees, Ross, Bruce, Waugh, and McNeil, forwards.
Glasgow Herald
Glasgow
29th August, 1881
Saturday 10th September, 1881
ST BERNARD'S v. HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN - This Scottish Association cup tie took place at the Royal Gymnasium, Edinburgh, and was witnessed by a very large number of persons. During the first half play was slightly in favour of the Heart of Mid-Lothian, but on ends being changed the junior club made matters rather warm for their opponents. The St Bernard's forwards for the first 20 minutes repeatedly made strenuous efforts to score, but each successive shot at goal failed to get below the cross-bar. In about 25 minutes after the start of the second half, the ball was taken from the St Bernard's territory by the backs of that team and passed to McKinnon, who in turn played it to Charlton. This player was tackled by Edwards and Alexander, but he succeeded in dodging the ball from them and passed it to McBeth on the left, who, being ready, shot the first and only goal in the match amid enthusiastic cheering. After this the play was of a very stiff nature, and though the Heart of Mid-Lothian wrought hard to equalise matters, and made several attempts to lower the St Bernard's fortress the players of the junior club were equal to the emergency, and rebutted every effort. The entire team of the victors played admirably together, and showed that they had lost none of that dash which was very observable in the team towards the end of last season. The following were the teams:-
St Bernard's - Baillie, goal; Heathcote and Waugh, backs; Wilson, Robertson, and Bryce, half-backs; McBeth, Dunn, McKinnon, and Charlton, forwards.
Heart of Mid-Lothian - Reid, goal; Masterton and Ferguson, backs; Edwards, Alexander, and Barber, half-backs; Lees, Ross, Bruce, Waugh, and McNeil, forwards.
Glasgow Herald (?)
Glasgow
12th September, 1881
Saturday 11th February, 1882
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. ALEXANDRA ATHLETIC (GLASGOW). - This match, under Association rules, was played at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, on Saturday afternoon, and resulted in a victory for the home team by eight goals to nothing. Notwithstanding the fact that the visitors did not arrive till an hour after the time at which play was announced to commence, there was a fair attendance of spectators. The game consisted of two periods of 45 minutes each, and throughout there was some very good play shown. The Glasgow club were not represented by their regular team, three substitutes having to be found to make up the eleven. The more conspicuous players for the Alexandra club were Ancot, More, and Neilson, and for the Hearts, Lees, James Edwards, and Greenhill. Teams:-
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - Goal, J. Reid; backs - R. Ferguson and T. Masterton; half-backs - John Edwards, R. Barbour, and Ross; forwards - Andrew Lees, John Alexander, James Edwards, Waugh and Greenhill.
Alexandra Athletic. - Goal, James McNellage (sub.); backs, T. Ancot and D. More; half-backs, D.W. Kyle and D. Mackenzie; forwards, J. Thomson, D. Neilson, D. Miller, C. Keir, Wilson (sub.), Wylie (sub.)
The Scotsman (?)
Edinburgh
13 February, 1882
Saturday 1st April 1882
HIBERNIANS v. HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN - A match between these clubs was played at Tynecastle Park, Edinbrgh, on Saturday afternoon, before a large assemblage of spectators. Good play was exhibited on both sides, but after the wearers of the green scored their first goal by a run up the field when the game was only a minute old, the issue of the match was never in doubt. Though pressed very hard, the Hearts played a good defensive game, and might have suffered a severer defeat but for Reid's steady goal-keeping. The result was a win for the Hibernians by six goals to two. Teams:-
Hibernians. - Goal, P. O'Brien; backs - M. Byrne and J. McKernan; half-backs - P. Cavanagh (captain), Owen Quin, and James Waugh; forwards - Frank Rorke, Andrew McFadyen, Gillie Byrne, William Cox, and James Flynn.
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - Goal, J. Reid; backs - S. McKay and T. Masterton; half-backs - John Edwards, R. Barbour, and N. Ross; forwards - J. McNeil, W. Waugh, James Edwards, J. Sanderson and J. Alexander.
The Scotsman (?)
Edinburgh
3 April, 1882
Saturday 8th April 1882
HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN v. ASTON VILLA (BIRMINGHAM) - Between these clubs a match, under Association rules, was played on Saturday afternoon at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. The game, which lasted an hour and a half, was played in two periods, and resulted in a victory for Aston Villa men, who played well together, by six goals to two. The splendid running of the visitors gave them an advantage over their opponents, and but for the services which Reid, as goalkeeper, rendered for his team, the visitors would doubtless have had a higher score. Teams:-
Heart of Mid-Lothian. - J. Reid, goal; J. Ferguson and T. Masterton, backs; R. Barbour, N. Ross, and J. Edwards, half-backs; A. Lees, J. Alexander, H. Wyllie, B. Waugh, and J. Wood, forwards.
Aston Villa. - Copley, goal; Harvey and Simmons, backs; Lee, Anderson and Law, half-backs; Crossland, Davies, Brown, Wheatley, and Andy Hunter, forwards.
Glasgow Herald (?)
Glasgow
10 April, 1882