Scott was born in Airdrie, a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1872. He was the son of Daniel Scott, who worked as an engine fitter on the railway at Airdrie, and Helen (née McLintock).[4] At the age of 18, Matthew Scott was working as a commercial clerk in Airdrie.[5]
Football career
Scott first joined Airdrieonians in September 1890, playing as a full back. He "kicked the ball long and with purpose" and specialised in clearances off the line.[1] In a survey of Scottish footballers published in The Scottish Referee in 1894, Scott, "in conjunction with his partner Bob McFarlane, are known throughout Lanarkshire as Scotland's defenders. They could make the Welshmen trot around."[6]
Scott signed for Newcastle United for the 1900–01 season, having been brought in as cover for Dave Gardner. He played five matches in total and his debut was against Sheffield United on 8 December 1900, playing as a left back.[3] He was described as being a "touch slow when against a winger with pace".[1] For the duration of this season, Scott resided in Newcastle as a boarder of Mrs Isobel Harrison, a widow who lived at 136 Croydon Road.[8]
Scott returned to Airdrieonians after his season at Newcastle, and continued playing for them until 1902 when he signed for Albion Rovers.[1] In February 1903, whilst playing in a match for Albion Rovers against Renton, Scott sustained a "serious wound to the right shin bone".[9] Following this injury Scott was forced to retire from football.[1] Scott has been inducted into the Airdrieonians F.C. Hall of Fame, which was inaugurated in 2002.[10]
^ abcdefJoannou, Paul (1996). The Black 'N' White Alphabet: A Complete Who's Who of Newcastle United FC. Leicester: Polar Print. p. 360. ISBN1899538038.
^John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^"Matthew Scott", 1881 Scotland Census; 36 Aitcheson Street, New Monkland, Airdrie, Lanarkshire; roll cssct1881_263, page 12, line 6, enumeration district 21. Retrieved on 11 September 2016.
^"Matthew Scott", 1891 Scotland Census; 36 Aitcheson Street, New Monkland, Airdrie, Lanarkshire; roll cssct1891_313, page 16, line 23, enumeration district 2. Retrieved on 11 September 2016.
^"Round the Country". The Scottish Referee. 16 February 1894. p. 2. Retrieved 22 July 2023.