John Niven (footballer)

John Niven
Personal information
Date of birth	15 May 1921
Place of birth	Coatbridge, Scotland
Date of death	4 April 2011 (aged 89)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team
	Renfrew
1942–1951	East Fife
1951–1953	Kilmarnock
Total
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Niven (15 May 1921 – 4 April 2011) was a Scottish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Renfrew, Hibernian, Dundee, East Fife and Kilmarnock.^[1]

Niven first signed for East Fife in 1942, after being spotted by East Fife manager John McArthur.

Sunday Post.^[1]

East Fife won the

1950 Scottish Cup Final, but Niven was injured in a league match five days earlier.^[1] The second choice goalkeeper was also injured.^[2] This meant that 21-year-old Gordon Easson had to make his first team debut for East Fife in the Cup Final.^[1]^[3] Easson conceded a goal within 30 seconds and East Fife went on to lose 3–0.^[1]^[3]

Niven was transferred to

1952 Scottish League Cup Final, which Kilmarnock lost 2–0 to Dundee.^[1] Niven retired from senior football in 1953 and became a mechanical engineer, working for Sir William Arrol & Co.^[1] He then set up a motor factor business, which he operated until his retirement in 1988.^[1] Niven suffered from Parkinson's disease in later life.^[1] He died in April 2011, and was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s "Obituary: John Niven, footballer". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
^ http://qosfc.com/new_legendsview.aspx?playerid=1033 Archived 29 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine "Queens Legends - Bobby Black"
^ ^a ^b "HEY JIM; Can you settle an argument". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 23 September 1996. Retrieved 20 December 2011. DID East Fife play their third choice keeper against Rangers in the 1950 Scottish Cup Final? Please name teams and scorers. - JS, Kelvindale. Yes, 20-year-old Gordon Easson made his first team debut in the final at Hampden on April 22, 1950, because first choice Johnny Niven and reserve, McGarrity, were injured. He lost a goal to Willie Findlay after just 30 seconds and Willie Thornton added two more as Rangers won the match 3-0. East Fife - Easson, Laird, Stewart, Philp, Finlay, Aitken, Black, Fleming, Morris, Brown, Duncan. Rangers - Brown, Young, Shaw, McColl, Woodburn, Cox, Rutherford, Findlay, Thornton, Duncanson, Rae.

Sources

John Niven at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
John Niven, Fitbastats.com (sole appearance for Hibernian)

[obit-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s "Obituary: John Niven, footballer". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.

[2] ttp://qosfc.com/new_legendsview.aspx?playerid=1033 Archived 29 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine "Queens Legends - Bobby Black"

[final-3] "HEY JIM; Can you settle an argument". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 23 September 1996. Retrieved 20 December 2011. DID East Fife play their third choice keeper against Rangers in the 1950 Scottish Cup Final? Please name teams and scorers. - JS, Kelvindale. Yes, 20-year-old Gordon Easson made his first team debut in the final at Hampden on April 22, 1950, because first choice Johnny Niven and reserve, McGarrity, were injured. He lost a goal to Willie Findlay after just 30 seconds and Willie Thornton added two more as Rangers won the match 3-0. East Fife - Easson, Laird, Stewart, Philp, Finlay, Aitken, Black, Fleming, Morris, Brown, Duncan. Rangers - Brown, Young, Shaw, McColl, Woodburn, Cox, Rutherford, Findlay, Thornton, Duncanson, Rae.

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