Soldier Wilson

David "Soldier" Wilson (also known as David Wood, David Wilson Wood and David Wood Wilson; 23 July 1883 – 27 October 1906) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre forward. Born in Musselburgh, he earned his nickname as a teenager while serving with the Cameron Highlanders and the 1st Battalion, Black Watch. He also served in South Africa during the Boer War. After drawing attention with strong performances for the Black Watch F.C., he turned professional with Raith Rovers and went on to play for five professional clubs. Frequently the victim of injury during his short career, in October 1906 he suffered a heart attack while playing for Leeds City, and died in the West Stand at Elland Road.

Confusion around identity Due to the difficulty of accessing records of the late 19th century, and the ubiquity of the name David Wilson in this period, 20th-century histories of football often gave contrasting and inaccurate information about Soldier Wilson's biography. In April 1903, Wilson left the Army and Raith to play as a professional with Scottish Football League Division One side Dundee. It was here that he gained the nickname "Soldier", which was employed to distinguish him from another player at the club, also named David Wilson. he was signed by Leeds City for a transfer fee of £150 in December 1905. During his first season at Leeds, Wilson made 15 league appearances and scored 13 goals, making him the club's top scorer in the 1905–06 campaign

The board of Leeds City paid for Wilson's funeral, which took place at Seafield Cemetery in Leith. His coffin was carried from the Griffin Hotel to Leeds New Station by six Leeds players.

Wilson's death provoked a debate in the press over violent play and professionalism on the football pitch.

Personal life

Wilson married Sarah Nimmo, a childhood neighbour from Leith, on 31 October 1904. Their first daughter Annie was born in 1905, and another daughter, Davidina Wood Wilson, was born posthumously in March 1907.

Following Soldier Wilson's death, a series of collections and benefits at Leeds, and across England and Scotland, raised a substantial sum for Sarah and Annie.