Bertie Fulton

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRobert Patrick "Bertie"•Fulton
Used nameBertie•Fulton
Born6 November 1906 in Larne, Northern Ireland (GBR)
Died5 May 1979 in Larne, Northern Ireland (GBR)
AffiliationsBelfast Celtic FC, Belfast (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Bertie Fulton was from Larne in Northern Ireland and played as a left back in various clubs in Northern Ireland and England. He began his career with his hometown club in 1923 and played briefly with Belfast Celtic in 1925, making enough appearances at the start of 1925-26 season to gain an Irish League medal as Celtic made in the championship in the 1925-26 season. In December 1925 he moved to London to train as a teacher. While studying at Strawberry Hill College, he played with London Caledonians – one of England’s leading amateur teams of the time. He assisted the Caledonians to second place in the Isthmian League, also winning the London Senior Cup. Fulton returned to Belfast Celtic in May 1926 and gained a City Cup medal. He then made a single appearance for Dundalk in September 1926 while waiting to return to London to undertake his exams. Once qualified, Fulton returned home to re-sign for Larne.

He quickly drew the attentions of the Irish FA’s selection committee, and was capped for the first time in February 1928. Bertie had made his Amateur International debut as a Belfast Celtic player in 1925. In all he appeared 20 times for the Amateurs until 1938 scoring one goal, to become the most capped player. Fulton was back with Belfast Celtic for the 1928-29 season, finishing as runner-up in the Irish Cup. The following season Fulton was back in the Ireland team against Wales. From then until the outbreak of World War II, Fulton was Ireland’s regular left-back, earning 21 caps for Northern Ireland between 1928 and 1938 in addition to his appearances for the Ireland Amateur team. In 1936 Fulton was selected for the Great Britain team for the Berlin Olympics playing both matches as left-back. He was the first Northern Ireland footballer to play for Great Britain. He rejected all offers to turn professional, e.g. from Manchester United before the 1936 Olympics, in a career spanning more than 900 games. The 1942-43 season was to be Fulton’s last as a Belfast Celtic player. With this club he won the Irish League 8 times, Irish Cup 3 times, and City Cup 8 times. A third spell back at his hometown Larne in 1943/44, brought Fulton’s playing career to a close, and he later returned to Belfast Celtic to coach the second eleven. He continued to teach at McKenna Memorial School and became the principal at St. Comgalls, both in Larne.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Football (Football) GBR Bertie Fulton
Football, Men (Olympic) Great Britain =5