100th Anniversary of Andrew Watson’s death

That this House commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Andrew Watson, the world’s first black footballer who began his football career at Maxwell FC, based at Queen’s Park in Glasgow; notes his subsequent move to Parkgrove FC based at Trinidad Park, adjacent to today’s Ibrox Stadium, alongside Robert Walker, another pioneering black footballer in the early years of the game; celebrates his 3 caps for Scotland in 1881 and 1882 making Andrew the first black international player; applauds his key role in inflicting a 6-1 defeat against England at The Oval, still recognised as England's biggest ever home loss; acknowledges his position as Match Secretary at Parkgrove, making him the first black football administrator; recognises his time subsequently spent playing for Queen’s Park, the pre-eminent Scottish football team of their day and the pre-eminent club in the development of football; notes his move to London where he became the first black player in the English FA Cup and a regular in the Corinthians team and his subsequent move to Bootle FC where he became the first black professional player; and commends the work of historians over recent decades who have diligently unearthed the story of Andrew Watson’s unique place in the development of world football.