AITKEN, Andrew
Role: Half-back 1895-1906
5' 8"
b. Ayr, 27th April 1877
d. Ponteland, nr Newcastle upon Tyne, 15th February 1955
CAREER:
Elmbank/Ayr Thistle/Ayr Parkhouse 1894/UNITED July 1895 (Kilmarnock loan 1898-99)/Middlesbrough player-manager Oct 1906 �500/Leicester Fosse Feb 1909, becoming player-manager Apr 1909/Dundee player May 1911/ Kilmarnock June 1912/retired due to a groin injury Jan 1913/Gateshead Town manager June 1913/Arsenal scout.
Debut v Loughborough Town (h) 7/9/1895
(scored once)
One of the early game's most prominent players, Andy Aitken was known as 'Daddler'.
He was well respected for his drive, stamina, attacking ability and head play - a central midfielder who always supported his forwards. Aitken took part in United's inaugural First Division game during 1898 and skippered the side on many occasions. He was only a teenager when he first appeared for the Magpies, but quickly made an impression and was a tremendous asset to the club during their rise to become Football League champions.
One biography of the day noted Aitken as being, "of the bustling type", while another recorded him as, "lean, lissom, artistic in method and touch". Colleague Alex Gardner once said, "He may lack physique, but for clever headwork and terrier-like persistency he would be hard to beat". Aitken was extremely adaptable and arguably the club's most versatile player, operating in every position except goalkeeper for Newcastle. He was also often capped by Scotland, and led out his country too. A former grocer's boy, Aitken was a player above the ordinary, one of the elite in football before World War One. He later became a publican for a time, residing on Tyneside to his death. Andy was related to Alex Gardner through marriage; the two United stars wed sisters who were 'Tiller Girls' of the time.
Appearances:
FL: 316 apps. 33 gls.
FAC: 33 apps. 8 gls.
Total: 349 apps. 41 gls.
Honours: