Colin Veitch

Colin Veitch was a [[football {soccer}|football]] player in the early 20th century for Newcastle United.

Veitch was born in the Heaton area of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1882. At school he was both a gifted scholar and footballer, becoming the first captain of Newcastle Schools in 1895.

After enrolling at the city's Rutherford College, Veitch appeared for the College team, regarded at the time as one of the finest amateur [[football (soccer]|football]] teams in the North East of England, where he attracted the attention of Newcastle United for who he at first signed for as an amateur before turning professional in the summer of 1899.

Veitch made his debut in October 1899, a match which Newcastle United lost 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

For a short spell, Veitch considered giving up his football career to pursue an academic career, but after a spell in the reserves, playing under the pseudonym of 'Hamilton' he changed his mind.

Renowned for his versitiliy, Veitch captained the succesful United side which won League Championships in 1905, 1907 and 1909, the FA Cup in 1910 and were FA Cup finalists in 1905, 1906, 1908 and 1911, and also represented England on six occasions.

Away from football, Veitch was a great lover of the arts who as well as becoming involved in the Newcastle People's Theatre was also a playwright, composer, conductor and producer, who counted George Bernard Shaw amongst his circle of friends.

Veitch was also very politically aware and was approached to stand as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party. Although he turned the proposal down, he did become a union activist for the Professional Footballers Association and was the PFA's chairman for a number of years.

Despite a dispute with Newcastle United in 1911, Veitch continued to play for the club until the outbreak of World War 1. After the war, he returned to St James' Park to become a coach, and in 1924 formed the the junior side, Newcastle Swifts, the pioneers of the current Newcastle United juniors system. Veitch was sacked in 1926, ending a 26 year association with United.

In August 1926, Veitch was appointed manager of Bradford City, and took the Yorkshire side to the brink of promotion, before deciding that football management wasn't for him.

He returned to Tyneside and became a journalist with the Evening Chronicle.

In 1938, Veitch contracted pneumonia and died aged 56 in Berne, Switzerland whilst on a recuperation holiday.