John Forbes was a Scottish footballer, who played in The Football League for Blackburn Rovers. By the standards of his era, John Forbes was a cultured full-back, who relied on speed rather than power to overcome opponents. His penchant for pace probably stemmed from the fact that he began his career as a forward with Star of Leven. Indeed, in an article in "The Scottish Referee" in March 1902, it was said of Forbes that in his youth, 'so fast was he that he lost command of the ball, over running it, and waiting for it to come to him, and not vice versa'. In 1879 he joined Vale of Leven, again as a forward, but was quickly converted into a half-back. However, his gift of speed and natural athleticism led him to adopt a roving commission in the role and his critics castigated him for being 'all over the shop'. He was later converted into a right-back before being switched to the opposite flank. It was as a left–back that his talent blossomed to the extent that he was capped by Scotland. He made his Scotland debut on 26 January 1884 at Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast against Ireland. Scotland won 5–0. Forbes played in all three Scotland – British Home Championship matches, Scotland winning all three and only conceding one goal. While playing for Vale of Leven he appeared in two Scottish Cup Finals, in 1883 and 1885, but had the misfortune to be on the losing side on both occasions. The 1883 Final was played at Hampden Park on 31 March 1883 and the opposition was Dumbarton. The match ended 2–2. The replay, also at Hampden Park on 7 April 1883 Dumbarton won 2–1. Forbes would have featured in the 1884 Cup Final but, tragically, his Mother died in the week of the match and the funeral was arranged for the same day as the Final. The Scottish Football Association refused to alter the date of the game and as a result Vale of Leven, out of respect for Forbes and his family, refused to participate in the match and forfeited the trophy. The 1885 Final was played at Hampden Park on and the opposition was Renton. The match ended 0–0. The replay, also at Hampden Park on Renton won 3–1. Forbes returned to international duty missing just one of three British Home Championship matches in 1886–87. His first international match that season ironically was at Leamington Road, the then home of Blackburn Rovers. Scotland defeated England 3–2. Scotland also beat Wales and so Forbes had a 100% record for Scotland. The Wales match was Forbes' last for Scotland as within a year he had moved to England and at that time the Scottish Football Association would not pick Scottish players playing outside of Scotland. Before the international matches Forbes was a guest player for Glasgow Rangers then they beat Lincoln City in the FA Cup Fifth Round. In March 1887 he was a member of the Rangers team that was beaten by Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi–final at Nantwich Road Crewe.
1888-1889
Forbes became an immediate favourite with the Blackburn fans. John Forbes, playing as a full–back, made his League debut on 13 October 1888 at Wellington Road, the then home of Aston Villa. The visitors lost 6–1. John Forbes appeared in 16 of the 22 League matches played by Blackburn Rovers in season 1888–89. John Forbes, playing at full–back, was part of the Blackburn Rovers defence that achieved four League clean–sheets and kept the opposition to one–League–goal–in–a–match on three occasions. Forbes also played in all five FA Cup ties at full–back including the semi–final and semi–final replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the latter Blackburn Rovers lost 3–1. Forbes playing career ended in 1894. He played in 127 first–class matches for Blackburn Rovers, 106 in the Football Leagueand 21 in the FA Cup. He scored two goals for the club, one in the League and one in the FA Cup. He played in five FA Cup semi-finals for Blackburn Rovers, winning three and also played in two FA Cup Finals, both of which were won. His strengths as a player lay in his speed and in his ability to clear his lines, despite the fact that he was not the most powerful kicker of a football. His slight physique meant that he could not barge opponents off the ball, but had to use more subtle methods, which often involved reading the game and using his speed to intercept the ball before opponents could gain possession.
