| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Colin Campbell McKechnie Veitch[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1881-05-22)22 May 1881 | ||
| Place of birth | Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, England | ||
| Date of death | 26 August 1938(1938-08-26) (aged 57)[2] | ||
| Place of death | Bern, Switzerland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Half back,inside left | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1899–1914 | Newcastle United | 322 | (49) |
| International career | |||
| 1906–1909 | England | 6 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1926–1928 | Bradford City | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Colin Campbell McKechnie Veitch (22 May 1881 – 26 August 1938) was an Englishfootball player in the early 20th century forNewcastle United and manager ofBradford City.
Veitch was born in theHeaton area ofNewcastle upon Tyne. At school he was both a gifted scholar and footballer, becoming the first captain of Newcastle Schools in 1895.
After enrolling at the city's Rutherford College, Veitch appeared for the College team, regarded at the time as one of the finest amateur teams in North East England, where he attracted the attention of Newcastle United for which he at first signed as an amateur before turning professional in the summer of 1899.[4] Veitch made his debut in October 1899, a match which Newcastle United lost 1–0 toWolverhampton Wanderers.
For a short spell, Veitch considered giving up his football career to pursue a career in academia, but after a spell in the reserves, playing under the pseudonym of 'Hamilton' he changed his mind.
Renowned for his versatility, Veitch captained the successful United side which won League Championships in 1905, 1907 and 1909, theFA Cup in1910 and wereFA Cup finalists in1905,1906,1908 and1911, and also representedEngland on six occasions. Off the pitch, he was an active member ofthe players' union.[5]
Despite a dispute with Newcastle United in 1911, Veitch continued to play for the club until the outbreak of World War I, during which he served as alieutenant in theRoyal Garrison Artillery.[6] After the war, he returned toSt James' Park to become a coach, and in 1924 formed the junior side, Newcastle Swifts, the pioneers of the current Newcastle United juniors system. Veitch was sacked in 1926, ending a 26-year association with United.
In August 1926, Veitch was appointed manager ofBradford City. In his first season the club was relegated toDivision Three (North). The following season City recorded their then record victory, 9–1 overNelson and were mounting a promotion challenge. But in January 1927 Veitch resigned, deciding that football management was not for him.
Away from football, Veitch was a great lover of the arts and co-founded thePeople's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1911.[7] He was also an accomplished playwright, composer, conductor and producer, and countedGeorge Bernard Shaw amongst his circle of friends.[8]
Veitch served in France during the First World War as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Veitch was also very politically aware and was approached to stand as aMember of Parliament for theLabour Party. Although he turned the proposal down, he did become a union activist for theProfessional Footballers' Association and was the PFA's chairman for a number of years.
After resigning from Bradford City he returned toTyneside and became a journalist with theEvening Chronicle. In 1929 he was banned from theSt James' Park press box.[8]
In 1938, Veitch contractedpneumonia and died aged 57 inBern, Switzerland whilst on a recuperation holiday.[2]
Newcastle United
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