David Rattray

Name: David Rattray
Position: Full-Back

Representative Honours: Ireland: 3 Full Caps (1882-1883).

Club Career:
Avoniel 1880/81-1882/83

Biography:
David Rattray was a member of Avoniel Football Club. The club was based at Beechfield Street, Mountpottinger, Belfast and were founder members of the Irish Football Association. The club took part in the first three editions of the Irish Cup. In the inaugral 1880/81 competition they went out 2-0 to Moyola Park, the eventual winners. In 1881/82 both Avoniel and Cliftonville progressed to the 2nd round following 2-2 and 0-0 draws. Distillery were defeated after a replay before Avoniel succumbed 2-0 to Cliftonville in a semi-final replay after a 1-1 draw. They lost 5-3 to Ligoniel the following year.

Rattray was the mainstay of the team and the only Avoniel player to gain International Honours. On the 11th February 1882 he was selected for the team to represent Ireland against England on the 18th February and Wales the following week. He played in the England match but was unable to travel for the Wales match and his place was taken by Billy Crone of Distillery. He did however make two more appearances for Ireland.

Avoniel disbanded in December 1883 with most of their players joining Glentoran and Rattray went to Glasgow in 1884 to work in the shipyards there. He returned before the end of the century and resided in the Whitewell area. Still a ship-yard man, he worked on the ill-fated Titanic.

Ireland Cap Details:
18-02-1882 England H L 1-13 FR
24-02-1883 England H L 0- 7 FR
17-03-1883 Wales.. H D 1- 1 FR

Summary: 3/0. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 2.

By George Glass.