Alastair Campbell

Alastair Keyon "Alec" Campbell (29 May 1890 — 16 June 1943) was a professional cricketer and footballer who played as a centre-half in nearly 200 games for Southampton in 196 appearances eitherside of the First World War, before briefly becoming manager at Chesterfield from April to December 1927. Whilst a schoolboy, he played for England at amateur level in an international match. As a first-class cricketer, he played two seasons for Hampshire in 1908 and 1909.

Early life Campbell was born at South Stoneham to Scottish parents in May 1890, with his father being a noted sailor in Southampton. He was educated in Southampton at the King Edward VI Grammar School, where he was captain of both the football and cricket elevens. While at school he played for England at amateur level in an international against the Netherlands, the only known occasion that a schoolboy has represented his country at that level. The following season, he made a further five appearances in the 1909 County Championship.

Football Pre-war football Campbell was spotted by Southampton, with him joining the club in 1908. having attended the Artillery Cadet School. During the war he guested for West Ham United as well as turning out regularly for Southampton. Although he was offered terms to join West Ham at the end of the war, he decided to stay in Southampton, where he had been offered a directorship with a firm of fruit importers.

Return to Southampton After regular football had restarted in 1919, Campbell returned to play for Southampton. Early in the 1919–20 season, he lost his place to George Bradburn, before regaining it in March for the remainder of the season, and being appointed team captain. At he was a distinctive figure on the pitch with his "telescopic legs", who according to Holley and Chalk was "undoubtedly one of the club's best-ever centre-halves" During the management of Jimmy McIntyre when Southampton were admitted into Division 3 of the Football League for the 1920–21 season. Under his captaincy and McIntyre's management, Southampton just missed out on promotion in their first season, but a year later the pair had successfully guided Southampton into Division Two as champions of the Football League Division 3 (South), having gained promotion by having a superior goal difference to Plymouth Argyle. During his second spell at Southampton, he made 196 appearances and scored fifteen goals.

Poole Town Campbell remained with Southampton until the end of the 1925–26 season, when, now aged 36, he joined Poole Town. While manager at Chesterfield, he was engaged as a club cricketer. After leaving Chesterfield he quit football entirely. Returning to Southampton, Campbell was declared bankrupt the following year when the fruit importing business in which he held a directorship had unwisely invested in Brazilian bananas. He fell ill in 1942, spending time in the Belfast Military Hospital.

Honours As a player for Southampton Football League Third Division South Champions: 1921–22