Hugh Neilson

Hugh Neilson was the son of a Glasgow steel founder who died when Neilson was just six-years-of-age. He was one of six siblings all under the age of 12 at the time. Further tragedy struck in 1894, just one month before Neilson’s tenth birthday, when his mother also passed away.

Neilson went onto become a marine engineer and a very versatile and talented sportsman, and represented Scotland at three sports. As a hockey international full-back, Neilson played in both Scotland’s matches at the 1908 London Olympics. They beat Germany 4-0, and then lost 6-1 to England in the semi-final. He still, however, collected a bronze medal.

Despite his hockey record, Neilson was better known as a tennis and badminton player, and represented Scotland many times at both sports. He was the West of Scotland lawn tennis champion in 1911 and 1921, and was many times the doubles champion. In 1919, with Rev. Robert Irons, he won the Scottish Men’s Doubles Championship and also won the mixed doubles title that same year, with Miss M. M. Fergus.

Neilson enjoyed coaching young tennis and badminton players but remained active as a player of both sports right up to his sudden death at the age of 46 in 1930. He played in the West of Scotland Championships four months before his death and, just days before he died, took part in a badminton exhibition at the Dunblane Badminton Club.