Alexander James Milne (29 September 1889 – 1970) was an English

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby lea ...

who played in

the Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in the world, and was the top-level football league in England from ...

for

Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers Football Club is a professional association football club based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The team currently competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system after winning the 202 ...

and

Stoke Stoke may refer to: Places Canada * Stoke, Quebec New Zealand * Stoke, New Zealand United Kingdom Berkshire * Stoke Row Bristol * Stoke Bishop * Stoke Gifford * Bradley Stoke * Little Stoke * Harry Stoke * Stoke Lodge Bucking ...

Career

Milne was born in

Hebburn Hebburn is a town in the South Tyneside borough of Tyne and Wear, England. It was formerly in County Durham until 1974 with its own urban district from 1894 until 1974. It is on the south bank of the River Tyne between Gateshead and Jarrow and ...

and joined Stoke at the age of 23 after playing amateur football with West Stanley and Hebburn Argyle. He made his debut in a Southern League match against

West Ham United West Ham United Football Club is a professional Association football, football club based in Stratford, London, Stratford, East London, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football league system, English f ...

which Stoke lost 5–0. He became known for his no-nonsense tackling and solid performances at left back and helped the club to gain a return to

in 1914–15. However it was delayed due to the outbreak of

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

during which time Milne returned to his home of Hebburn. The league returned in 1919 and Milne established himself in the starting eleven and played in every match during the 1920–21 season and helped the side gain promotion to the First Division in 1921–22. Stoke were relegated however and injury caused Milne to miss all of the 1923–24 campaign. He remained at the

Victoria Ground The Victoria Ground was the home ground of Stoke City from 1878 until 1997, when the club relocated to the Britannia Stadium after 119 years. At the time of its demolition it was the oldest operational ground in the Football League. Histor ...

for two more seasons before leaving for

after making 276 appearances in all competitions for the "Potters". He remained at Doncaster until he was 41.

Career statistics

Source:

Honours

; Stoke * Southern Football League Division Two champion: 1914–15 *

Football League Second Division The Football League Second Division was the second level division in the English football league system between 1892 and 1992. Following the foundation of the FA Premier League, the Football League divisions were renumbered and the third tier ...

runner-up: 1921–22

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Milne, Alec 1889 births 1970 deaths Footballers from Hebburn English men's footballers Men's association football fullbacks West Stanley F.C. players Hebburn Argyle F.C. players Stoke City F.C. players Doncaster Rovers F.C. players Southern Football League players English Football League players Date of death missing