A Footballer in the Family

Isabella Fleming, the sister of my husband's grandfather Hugh, married David Thompson McCartney (1875-1950) of Auchinleck in 1899 and they had one daughter Marion McFedries McCartney. Mother-in-law used to talk about the McCartneys, although she could barely have known them.

David was the son of Irish parents Charles McCartney and Susanna Thompson, born 1875 in Cronberry, near Cumnock, and as Dave McCartney, he was a professional footballer for 20 years and played briefly for Celtic and for Glossop, Watford and Northampton with one season for Chelsea.  His brother William played 2 seasons for Barnsley.

When he retired, the family emigrated to Australia on the Samaris arriving November 1910. He went back to mining at Aberdare South Colliery.

Their only daughter Marion, born about 1900, was musical and played violin in the Sydney Philharmonic.

Watford FC Archives - look under M for Dave's football career

Chelsea player profile

1948 newspaper article  interview with Dave in the Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder, 22 June 1948.  His brother William was over from Scotland at the time.


Obituary in the The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder 10 Jan 1950.



Thanks to Rhonda in Dumfries for information.