BALLANTYNE, John
born. 27.10.1890, Glasgow
A local forward from Possilpark who joined the Jags from Ashfield in 1921. He made his debut at Firhill in a 1-0 victory over Clydebank, he first hit the back of the net in December with 2 goals over Clyde at Firhill. After three seasons at Firhill with 85 1st XI appearances Johnny decided to immigrate to America. In America he joined the Boston Wonder Workers alongside his brothers Robert and William, playing in the inaugural American Soccer League, in four seasons at Boston he played in 114 games, scoring 50 goals. In his final 2 seasons in the states Boston finished runners-up in the league. August 1928 he returned to Scotland and Partick Thistle starting up where he had left off and by December he helped the Jags defeat Rangers 2-0 in the Glasgow Dental Cup Final, big smiles all-round. The following season the Jags Scottish Cup ambitious were only thwarted by Rangers at the final hurdle going down 2-1 at Celtic Park in front of a crowd of 103,688.In October 1931 he represented the Scottish League in a 5-0 win over the Irish League at Firhill also in the side were his Firhill teamates John Jackson and Eddie McLeod. He also picked up 2 Glasgow Cup Runners-Up medals in 1932 & 1934. In his time at Firhill he managed only 1 hat-trick this coming in late March 1934 in a 5-3 victory over Cowdenbeath. He left Firhill in 1935 and joined Falkirk over a short spell before moving south to Queen’s Park Rangers.
Johnny also played longide his brother at Ashfield & Boston Wonder Workers, when Johnny returned to Scotland, Robert stayed on and played for the New York Yankees and the Fall River Marksmen, returning to Scotland in 1931 he played for Aberdeen and St Johnstone.
William seen service with Shettleston Juniors, Clyde, Boston Wonder Works, New Bedford Whalers, New York Giants, Brooklyn Wands, NY Americans, Kearny Scots-Americans and Carsteel (Canada), he returned to Scotland in December 1934 and was living at the Ballantyne's familly home at Ardoch Street, Possilpark.