Alex Wilson

Who was Alex Wilson?

Alexander Wilson was a Scottish footballer.

Wilson was born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire and after starting at Overton Athletic as a junior player, joined Greenock Morton in 1927. He spent six seasons at the 'Ton, and was in the side that won promotion to the Scottish First Division in 1928-29.

In May 1933 he was signed by Arsenal, initially as cover for Frank Moss. He made his debut against Aston Villa on March 10, 1934 after Moss picked up an injury; Arsenal won 3-2. Wilson remained a fringe player in his first two seasons for Arsenal, playing only fifteen times, including the last nine games of the 1934-35 season after Moss dislocated his shoulder – although Arsenal won the First Division, Wilson did not qualify for a medal.

Moss's injury did not heal and Wilson found himself as the Gunners' No. 1 throughout the 1935-36 season; he played 43 matches that season and kept goal in that season's FA Cup final against Sheffield United, which Arsenal won 1-0 thanks to a Ted Drake goal. However, Wilson's performances were not strong enough for manager George Allison's liking, and Arsenal signed not one but two goalkeepers that summer, George Swindin and Frank Boulton.