Bob Pursell

Robert Russell Pursell (18 March 1889 – 24 May 1974) was a Scottish footballer who played for Liverpool in the early 20th century. He was the elder brother of Peter Pursell and uncle of the similarly named Robert Wilson Pursell. He played in the 1914 FA Cup final but was banned for life for his part in the 1915 British football betting scandal. However, his ban was lifted for his actions in World War I, and he went on to play for Port Vale before retiring with a broken leg in 1922.

Career Queen's Park Born in Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, Pursell attended Aberdeen University before signing for Queen's Park. He scored on his Scottish League Division One debut for the "Spiders" on 28 August 1909, in a 2–2 draw with Heart of Midlothian at Hampden Park. A "cool and brainy full-back", he made his First Division debut a 2–1 victory over Sunderland at Roker Park on 30 September 1911. The two played alongside each other, and were so moved by a public plea by chairman Frank Huntbach for supporters to buy shares in the club that they each bought £5 worth of shares.

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1909–10 Scottish League Division One

1910–11 Scottish League Division One

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1911–12 First Division

1912–13 First Division

1913–14 First Division

1914–15 First Division

1919–20 First Division

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1920–21 Second Division

1921–22 Second Division

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Honours Liverpool FA Cup runner-up: 1914