John Cameron Tottenham Hotspur

[New Forest]

John Cameron captained Tottenham Hotspur when they won the FA Cup in 1901. He later went on to manage the club. But his early career seems to be virtually unknown?

According to Wikipedia and the ‘Spurs history sites I have seen, is that John began his career in Ayr before moving to Queens Park in 1895. At this stage he would have been in his early twenties. There is a photograph of the London Caledonian FC for 1891 currently on offer on eBay. Sitting on the ground is ‘J. Cameron’. To me he looks identical to a young John Cameron.

Another player who left Ayr and travelled to London was John Barbour who joined Leyton FC in 1883/4. Apart from Leyton, John Barbour also played for United London Scottish, the forerunners of London Caledonian. In the same season Leyton played United London Scottish at their home ground at Elm Farm in Walthamstow. According to The Story of the London Caledonians Football Club as told by an Old Member [Alexander Cleland Cunnison], it incorrectly claims that the United London Scottish began life in the Dulwich area of London in 1885. By 1886 the United London Scottish had now turned into the London Caley’s. Once again John Barbour appears to instrumental in this move. Although they were still appearing as United London Scottish into 1887. John apart from playing the London Caley’s he also became a Vice President in the club for 1896/7.