Biography
Attack minded utility forward David “Soldier” Wilson featured in City’s first ever League match in September 1905 and scored the club’s third ever League goal during a 4-1 victory over Barnsley. Wilson played regularly during September and October 1905, scoring five goals before being used more sparingly from November 1905 until his departure a month later.
David Wilson was born in Hebburn on the banks of the River Tyne to Scottish parents but grew up north of the border in Musselburgh. He signed up for military service with the Cameron Highlanders at the age of 15, earning his nickname Soldier. He later switched to the Black Watch Regiment and served in Gibraltar, India and South Africa. He played for Black Watch Regiment at the turn of the century, then in December 1902 while stationed at Edinburgh Castle he began playing as an amateur for Scottish League Division Two side Raith Rovers, scoring four goals in 6 appearances.
In April 1903 Wilson left the Army to become a professional footballer and joined Division One side Dundee, scoring eleven goals in 23 appearances during the next two years despite suffering a serious knee injury that required surgery. He moved on to Division One rivals Heart of Midlothian in February 1905 where he scored four goals in just 5 starts ahead of his move to Hull City in May 1905.
In December 1905 Wilson moved to Division Two side Leeds City for a £150 fee and during the remainder of that season he scored thirteen goals in 15 games for the Elland Road side including four goals in a March 1906 drubbing of Clapton Orient. He began the 1906/07 season as Leeds City’s first choice centre forward and made 6 further appearances without scoring.
In October 1906 tragedy struck when he collapsed during a first team match against Burnley, after a brief return to the pitch he withdrew again and died of heart failure by the time he reached the dressing room. He was only 23 and left behind a widow and one year old child. A month later Leeds City and Hull City played a benefit match that raised £96 for his family.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 23 July 1883, Hebburn
Hull City First Game: 2 September 1905, Barnsley H (Division Two), 22 years, 41 days old
Hull City Final Game: 7 December 1905, Leicester Fosse A (Division Two), 22 years, 137 days old
Clubs
Black Watch Regiment, Raith Rovers (1902-1903), Dundee (1903-1905), Heart of Midlothian (1905), Hull City (1905), Leeds City (1905-1906)
Hull City Record
Career: 12 apps, 5 goals
David Wilson| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905/06 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – |