Finlay Speedie

Finlay Speedie

Finlay Ballantyne Speedie (18 August 1880 – 5 February 1953) was a Scottish footballer who played for Rangers and Newcastle United in the 1900s. He was a versatile forward who was most at home at inside left.

Speedie began his career with his local club Dumbarton but joined Rangers in 1900. Playing under William Wilton he won two League championships, a Scottish Cup, two Glasgow Cups, a Charity Cup and the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition Cup.

He left Rangers in 1906 and joined Newcastle United where he won the English First Division in 1906–07 in his first season. He stayed on Tyneside for another season before joining Oldham for a season and then moved to Bradford Park Avenue for a few months before eventually re-joining old club Dumbarton. He spent five years at Boghead before retiring in 1914. He won the old Second Division title in 1911.

Speedie won three Scotland caps scoring two goals — all in 1903.

During the First World War he served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was awarded the Military Medal. He maintained his links with Dumbarton and coached the team in the 1930s.

Speedie died on 5 February 1953, aged 72.