Robert Pritchard

Robert Pritchard

Born 6th May 1881 in Calton, Glasgow, Signed from Motherwell in the Summer of 1904. A left sided half back, he impressed in a pre season friendly against Leicester Fosse. The 2 2 draw at the Dunstable Road ground drew the following comment from the Luton Reporter - “Interest in the match chiefly centred in the performance of Pritchard, who played a very good game and won the admiration of the spectators by his dogged play.” The Luton Times agreed and added that he “shielded McEwen (The left back) finely.’

With the star man Bob Hawkes choosing to play centre forward for the reserves at home, Robert stepped in for his debut in the away game at Plymouth on the 24th September 1904. He played a total of 17 competitive games that season without scoring. He did score two in a first team friendly at Brentford on the 10th October 1904 but cold not prevent a 4 2 defeat. The pattern continued for the season, competitive first team games, friendlies and reserve games.

Robert got involved in local activities while at Luton. In April 1905 he attended the Luton Volunteer Club Smoking Concert. It was reported that Robert “pleased the audience with his Scotch songs.” In the same month, after a friendly match with Hitchin the team were invited to an evening at the Angel Inn. After supper, there were speeches from both sides, Secretary Charles Green for Luton, was followed by more singing in which Robert partook.

Robert played in the last Southern League game of the season, a 2 0 win at home over Reading and in the very last game, a friendly at Norwich on the 29th April which ended 0 0. Sadly, although impressing in his spell, the Directors decided to only retain three local half backs, probably due to money issues. Robert returned to Motherwell and managed to play one game for them before the season closed. The “Scottish Referee” commented “Pritchard appears to agree with the roast beef at Luton. He is much stouter since he crossed the border.”

Robert failed to break into the first team due to the good form of the resident left half back. on To Hamilton Academicals where he did play in the first team but the following season was demoted to the reserves. On to Port Glasgow and a familiar pattern with Robert making just one appearance in 1909/10 in a very poor team.

Lance Corporal Pritchard served with the Royal Engineers in World War One.

Robert passed away on the 9th September 1953 in Johnstone and Elserslie, Renfrewshire.