Biography

Versatile Scotsman Davy Gordon was the lynchpin of the Hull City squad from its inception as a football league side in 1905 through to the beginnings of the First World War in 1914. Although presented primarily a a half back, Gordon was capable of playing further forward, as evidenced by the 11 goals he scored in City’s inaugural season. Gordon was practically an ever-present for two and a half seasons, missing only single and very occasional matches. He spent the early part of 1908 out of the team after injury in an FA Cup tie at Woolwich Arsenal, but returned in September 1908 and missed only two games all season. By now he was deployed exclusively as half back, showing his strength in the tackle as well as his ability to commence attacks. For three more seasons he was a near-constant presence as City flirted with the prospect of promotion to the First Division, falling narrowly short in agonising fashion in 1910. 1913/14, Gordon’s final season at Anlaby Road, saw him playing a support role as the rigours of eight seasons in the first team caught up with him. He left the Tigers in June 1914 as a stalwart of the first era of Hull City AFC, perhaps the most important player of that time in terms of sheer longevity and loyalty, at least.
Born in Leith, the waterfront area of Edinburgh, Gordon joined Leith Athletic in 1902 while also working as a french polisher. When he left the Tigers in June 1914 Gordon returned to Leith Athletic as player/manager, moving on to Hibernian in 1916 in a playing role. He had three seasons as a player for the Hibees, reprising his reputation as dependable first team regular. In 1919 a flu pandemic claimed the life of Hibernian boss Dan McMichael and Gordon was elevated to the manager’s hotseat. In two seasons his side won 32 of the 100 games he managed and Gordon resigned in April 1921. He returned to playing with short spells at Kilmarnock, St Bernard’s and Leith Athletic once again, before he was appointed manager of Hartlepools United in 1922. After two years on the North East coast of England, Gordon headed back north of the border and managed Edinburgh based side St Bernard’s until 1928. Gordon died in Leith on 25 August 1963
Details
Nationality: Scotland
Date/Place of Birth: 29 December 1882, Leith
Hull City First Game: 2 September 1905, Barnsley H (Division Two), 22 years, 247 days old
Hull City Final Game: 13 April 1914, Bury H (Division Two), 31 years, 105 days old
Clubs
Leith Athletic (1902-1905), Hull City (1905-1914), Leith Athletic (1914-1916), Hibernian (1916-1919), Kilmarnock (1921), St Bernard’s (1921), Leith Athletic (1921)
Hull City Record
Career: 296 apps, 17 goals
Davy GordonSeason | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1905/06 | 38 | 11 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1906/07 | 37 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1907/08 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1908/09 | 36 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1909/10 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1910/11 | 32 | 2 | 4 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1911/12 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1912/13 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
1913/14 | 14 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Davy Gordon I believe had a brother Eddie Gordon who played in Hull city reserve team. This is my great great grandad and Great Uncle Davy. I share the same name Eddie which was passed down to me as my family remained in Hull. This as always made me feel proud to be part of the Leith/ Hull sporting heritage. I thank them both. Always a good talking point down the pub
Eddie
Watch this space as we intend to run a small feature in the Hibernian Match Programme in a fortnight. Another descendant of his is amongst the mascots that day.
Hi,
Davy Gordon was my great grandfather.
My beloved granny’s dad.
Proud descendent Eddie Gordon who still lives in Hull shares the same height and birth sign born the year after my Great Uncle sadly passed.