Cathcart Public School class in 1896. John Harley, then aged 10, is front row, second from left.
A truly remarkable coincidence has brought together my own family history and the life of a Uruguayan football legend, a Scotsman called John Harley.
I was recently discussing with fellow historians the proposal to build a statue to John Harley at his birthplace in Cathcart, to the south of Glasgow. A fundraising campaign has now been launched to pay for a fitting memorial (see below).
Although little known in Scotland, Harley is celebrated as 'El Reformador' in Uruguay for his influence in changing the style of the game there from the long ball to short passing in the traditional Scottish manner. It is a transition that is credited with taking Uruguay to two Olympic titles in 1924 and 1928, then to two World Cups in 1930 and 1950.
On learning that Harley was born in Cathcart in 1886, a light bulb went on in my head as I recalled that my own grandfather, John Fowler Mitchell, was also born in 1886 and lived in Cathcart. I knew that somewhere in the family archive were some old school photos, and after a lengthy rummage I found no less than four class groups taken in the 1890s. Every single one of them features not only my grandfather but also a young John Harley.
The images on the four cabinet photos are still sharp, taken outside Cathcart Public School. And on the back of the cards, my prescient grandfather had taken the trouble to write down the names of everyone he could remember, creating a fantastic record of late Victorian schooling.
I was recently discussing with fellow historians the proposal to build a statue to John Harley at his birthplace in Cathcart, to the south of Glasgow. A fundraising campaign has now been launched to pay for a fitting memorial (see below).
Although little known in Scotland, Harley is celebrated as 'El Reformador' in Uruguay for his influence in changing the style of the game there from the long ball to short passing in the traditional Scottish manner. It is a transition that is credited with taking Uruguay to two Olympic titles in 1924 and 1928, then to two World Cups in 1930 and 1950.
On learning that Harley was born in Cathcart in 1886, a light bulb went on in my head as I recalled that my own grandfather, John Fowler Mitchell, was also born in 1886 and lived in Cathcart. I knew that somewhere in the family archive were some old school photos, and after a lengthy rummage I found no less than four class groups taken in the 1890s. Every single one of them features not only my grandfather but also a young John Harley.
The images on the four cabinet photos are still sharp, taken outside Cathcart Public School. And on the back of the cards, my prescient grandfather had taken the trouble to write down the names of everyone he could remember, creating a fantastic record of late Victorian schooling.
Cathcart Public School, which opened in 1876 in Craig Road. The building was demolished in the 1960s.
The earliest picture is dated June 1891 and shows the infant class of 4- and 5-year-old boys and girls with their teacher, Miss Minnie Christie. It was known as the 'tuppeny class' as the parents paid twopence a week for the children to attend. John Harley is sitting in the front row, wearing a sailor suit, and what makes this particularly interesting is that two months earlier he was recorded in the 1891 census as a patient at the Victoria Infirmary. Whatever was wrong with him, he had clearly recovered sufficiently to go to school by this time.
Cathcart Public School 'tuppeny class' in 1891 with John Harley circled at the front and JF Mitchell circled at the back.
There are further class photos from 1893, 1895 and 1896, all of which include boys only, because they were taught separately from the girls.
In each case, my grandfather wrote 'Jock' rather than John Harley which indicates he was on friendly terms. And that can be backed up by the fact that they lived in the same street, Holmhead Crescent - the Harleys at number 2, the Mitchells at number 6.
Very likely they enjoyed football together. I have a recording of my grandfather talking about his childhood where he says one of his favourite activities was playing football in the street ('there wasn't much traffic then'), and I also recall him telling me that, as a boy, he sneaked into Hampden to watch Queen's Park take on the famous Corinthians.
In each case, my grandfather wrote 'Jock' rather than John Harley which indicates he was on friendly terms. And that can be backed up by the fact that they lived in the same street, Holmhead Crescent - the Harleys at number 2, the Mitchells at number 6.
Very likely they enjoyed football together. I have a recording of my grandfather talking about his childhood where he says one of his favourite activities was playing football in the street ('there wasn't much traffic then'), and I also recall him telling me that, as a boy, he sneaked into Hampden to watch Queen's Park take on the famous Corinthians.
Class photo of 1893 with John Harley back row, far right, and my grandfather in the middle of the front row
Class photo of 1895, with John Harley front row far right, my grandfather middle of third row.
From schooldays in Cathcart, their lives took different paths, to opposite sides of the world.
Harley embarked on a career in railway engineering which took him to Springburn in north Glasgow, then to Argentina and finally Uruguay, where he spent the rest of his life. Others have researched and written about his life and football career, and a great place to start is the Scots Football Historians Group website.
My grandfather, on the other hand, went on to secondary school at Allan Glen's in Glasgow before university in London and Glasgow, and a career in the Indian Civil Service. He did carry on playing football but it was of the rugby variety, appearing for his university teams. He died in 1984, aged 97.
Harley embarked on a career in railway engineering which took him to Springburn in north Glasgow, then to Argentina and finally Uruguay, where he spent the rest of his life. Others have researched and written about his life and football career, and a great place to start is the Scots Football Historians Group website.
My grandfather, on the other hand, went on to secondary school at Allan Glen's in Glasgow before university in London and Glasgow, and a career in the Indian Civil Service. He did carry on playing football but it was of the rugby variety, appearing for his university teams. He died in 1984, aged 97.
An issue of the Penarol club magazine from 1952 dedicated as a tribute to John (or Juan) Harley
The move for a permanent memorial to John Harley has now been launched with an ambitious crowdfunding campaign. It will need private and corporate donations, as the aim is to raise £35,000 for a statue or bust near Harley's birthplace.
The immediate area around Braehead in Cathcart has changed little since he was born there on 5 March 1886, next to the picturesque bridge where his grandfather worked at the Old Snuff Mill.
A tribute to John Harley in Cathcart would celebrate his influence, like so many other 'Scotch professors', in taking Scottish football around the world.
The immediate area around Braehead in Cathcart has changed little since he was born there on 5 March 1886, next to the picturesque bridge where his grandfather worked at the Old Snuff Mill.
A tribute to John Harley in Cathcart would celebrate his influence, like so many other 'Scotch professors', in taking Scottish football around the world.
Braehead houses in Cathcart, where John Harley was born (Glasgow School of Art archive)
The birth record of John Harley at Braehead, Cathcart, on 5 March 1886 (National Records of Scotland)
Old Snuff Mill Bridge, Cathcart, adjacent to John Harley's birthplace at Braehead
Map of Cathcart at the time John Harley lived there. The Old Snuff Mill Bridge over the river is to the right, while Cathcart Public School, now demolished, is left of centre. (National Library of Scotland)
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