Robert Atherley
| Robert Atherley | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 23, 1856 Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| 💀Died | August 23, 1874 (aged 18) Bonhill, West DunbartonshireAugust 23, 1874 (aged 18) |
| Cause of death | Ruptured stomach inflicted by kick of torso |
| 💼 Occupation | |
Robert Atherley (23 April 1856 – 22 August 1874) was a Scottish footballer and shoe maker who played for Star of Leven F.C. On 22 August 1874, Atherley was killed after his stomach was ruptured following a kick by another player in a game against Renton F.C. Atherley was the first footballer to be killed on field in the history of the sport.
Biography
Robert Atherley was born on 23 April 1856 in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.[1] He was the son of John Atherley, who was a shoemaker from Joppa, and Martha Waddell. Robert followed in his father's footsteps to become a shoemaker.[1] Atherley also played football for Star of Leven F.C, a club based in Dunbartonshire, Scotland.[2]
On 22 August 1874, Atherley was playing for Star of Leven F.C in a game against Renton FC.[1] In the game, Atherley was kicked in the torso by another player, which ruptured his stomach.[1][3][4] He died shortly after in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire.[5][1] Atherley was the first known person to die from injuries sustained in an association football match.
See also
- List of association footballers who died after on-field incidents
- Marc-Vivien Foé
- Phil O'Donnell
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 richmcb73 (2026-01-11). "Short biographies of association football club members from the Vale of Leven district (1872-1875)". Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "Fatal Football Accident at Bonhill". Dumbarton Herald, and County Advertiser. 1874-08-27. p. 3.
- ↑ "Dumbarton Herald, and County Advertiser (Thursday, August 27, 1874) - Dumbarton, Strathclyde, Scotland | Page 3 archive". Newspapers.com. 1874-08-27. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "Fatal accident at a foot-ball match". North British Daily Mail: 4. 25 August 1874.
- ↑ Brown, Jas. (29 August 1874). "Fatal football accident". North British Daily Mail: 4.
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