NICHOLAS JOHN ROSS
— "Bauldie" | 31/01/1902 —

"Allow me to introduce to you Nick Ross, the best back in Britain," so said Mr. Sudell, the maker of Proudest Preston, to me at Hampden Park in 1886, when the then "Champions of the World" visited the classic slopes. Whilst the term introduction is couched in most flattering terms, its terms made no impression upon the modest man who drew it, but it made such an impression upon yours truly that he willingly endorsed it by clasping heartily the honest Scotch hand that was extended. In every aspect in which Nicholas John Ross, to give him what he has worthily earned — viz., his baptismal name, he was a model. Built on beautifully drawn greyhound lines, he was physically and by natural gifts fitted to adorn not only the position in which he earned so much fame, but also that of any position in the field. His early training the Old Heart of Midlothian, for whom he centre forward, no doubt led him to that perfection of dodging and tackling, which as a back he displayed in the zenith of proud Preston's greatness. So far as his developed ability is concerned, never have the lines of the poet Gray more aptly applied that "Full Many a Flower is Born to Blush Unseen."

Neglected and despised by the Scottish talent selectors, N. J. Ross, like John Graham, Annback; David Russell, Stewarton; A. Robertson, St Bernards; Sam Thomson, Lugar; John Goodall, Kilmarnock; George Drummond, Edinburgh; John Gordon, Port-Glasgow; and last, his brother "Little Jim" left Scotland in disgust to win fame and woo fortune in a more generous and more hospitable clime. To me, and I venture to think to all Scottish patriots, in the light of what these rejected and neglected Scots accomplished in the land of their adoption, it is a matter of keen regret that their talents so superb were unrecognised, and that not one of this brilliant galaxy was honoured with a cap v. England. Goodall, it may be, was denied by reason of his nationality (he being born at Reding, England), although his boyhood was passed and all his early football learned in Kilmarnock, but, if memory serves me, it was only after he joined Preston that the question of his birthplace was determined, os that Scotland, if she had chosen, could have called upon him to serve her. However,, the S.F.A. Selectors passed them by in favour of those who, although in bigger and higher-sounding clubs, their shoelatchets they were unworthy to loose. Consider what a powerful eleven could have been built up for Auld Scotland had these invincible sons been honoured with the defence of her colours. Indifferent to the neglect of the then fosterers, developers, and defenders of Scottish football, the players I have named won for themselves and their country greater honours than that of Internationals. They became the originators of a style of fascinating football, the like of which since their day has not been seen in Britain.

Leaving his country and its capital, yet not for the good of either I make bold to say, in the early eighties (1883, I think, being the exact year), "N. J." joined the talent concentration camp then forming at Deepdale, Preston, under "Field-Marshal" Sudell. Rome, it has been said, was not built in a day, and neither was the star combination of that in 1888-89 which astonished the British football world by romping away with the English League championship and the English Cup, a feat only equalled since by the noble "Villans," of Birmingham. As a signal testimony to Preston's defence I should tell you they won the cup without losing a goal and the championship without losing a match, having 40 points out of a possible total of 44, the points lost being draws. It was in 1886 that the P.N.E. gave the first evidence of their coming power. In that year they visited Scotland, once on a friendly mission v. Queen's Park and twice in English Cup ties, for they were drawn v. the Queen's, and also v. Renton later on. The friendly was memorable for two things — First, the record defeat of our premier club by 6 goals to 1; and, second, the regrettable incident which took place between W. Harrower and Ross, jun. The ties, so far as Preston were concerned, were memorable, for they won both, defeating Queen's 3-0 and Renton 2-0, both on Hampden Park. It is to be noted that the ties were won without John Goodall, who, owing to the two years' residential qualification was ineligible to play. Sam Thomson was the centre, and I had better give his partners. Here they are: —

Drummond                  Thomson                  J. Gordon
Dewhurst            J. Ross   

  J. Graham         Russell         Robertson

Howarth         N. Ross

Wharton

In these matches, as in all others, the masterly play of "Fish" (as N.J.R. was popularly styled by his clubmates) contributed in no mean degree to Preston's success. The professionals left an impression in "Bonnie Scotland" very different from that which attended their departure from the "Land & Cakes, o' parritch, and o' paurleys." "Will ye no' come back again," was the fervent prayer on the lips of all who witnessed their "parlour passing." They did, and at the opening of Old Ibrox, in 1887, paralysed the Rangers of that time by taking no less than 8 goals to 1 off them. My business now, however, is with "N. J. R." as an individual, and interpreting him I say that in respect of physique, ability, and versatility he was indeed a "Prince." One other player I couple with him in all three regards, he is known to you; his name James Crabtree of Aston Villa.

So like each other in physique, style, and ability of these two great ones of the "earth and the sphere" that I esteem them football Dromios and would, if there was a National Gallery of Association players, place them side by side as a pair unequalled in the realm of British football. A slater to trade,, N. J. Ross was bound to climb, and climb he did. I regret, however, and all will who value the rare natural and ac- quired talents he possessed, that his star set to rise no more; or ere the fullness and richness of his powers had been formed or developed. He has left to all Scottish, and to all English, players an example they would do well to follow, for he was a rare compact of modesty and ability, whose motto was embodied in the one word, "Duty." Scotland has good reason to be proud of such an athletic son, and my hope is that others like him may arise to maintain her name and increase her fame.