Bob Kelso

Who was Bob Kelso?

Robert "Bob" Robinson Kelso was a Scottish footballer who played for Renton, Newcastle West End F.C., Preston North End, Everton, Dundee, Bedminster Town F.C. and the Scotland national team. He briefly guested for Liverpool in the Lancashire League in 1892.

Kelso, a defender, was born in Cardross, Dunbartonshire, and began his football career with Renton where he won the Scottish Cup in 1885 and 1888 and played in the unsuccessful 1886 final. He also won the Champions of the World title in 1888 when Scottish Cup winners Renton defeated English FA Cup winners West Bromwich Albion.

He moved to Newcastle West End in 1888 and then to Preston North End the following year. With Preston he won the English league championship in 1889-90 before moving to Everton in 1891 where he played in the 1893 FA Cup Final. He returned to his native Scotland in 1896 with Dundee, where he earned selection for the Scottish League representative team, before ending his career with a brief spell at Bedminster Town.

He won seven caps for Scotland, making his debut in a 8-2 win over Ireland on 14 March 1885. He captained his country in his final Scotland appearance - a 3-0 win over Ireland on 26 March 1898.