Robert Messer (18 July 1887 – 16 October 1918) was a Scottish professional footballer who played in the Football League for Leicester Fosse as an outside right.[1] He was described as "a fine wing player who is very fast and centres well."[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Messer[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 July 1887 | ||
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 16 October 1918 (aged 31)[2] | ||
| Place of death | near Ypres, Belgium[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Outside right | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Broxburn Shamrock | |||
| King's Park | |||
| Bo'ness | |||
| 1910 | Leicester Fosse | 2 | (0) |
| Broxburn Shamrock | |||
| Broxburn United | |||
| East Fife | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Personal life
As of 1901, Messer was working as a printer's apprentice.[4] He served as a private in the King's Own Scottish Borderers during the First World War and was killed in action near Ypres during the Battle of Courtrai on 16 October 1918.[3] Messer is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.[2] In 2011, Messer's British War Medal and Victory Medal were purchased by Leicester City; they are now exhibited in King Power Stadium's reception area.[3][5]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leicester Fosse | 1910–11[6] | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||