Alex Govan

Alexander "Alex" Govan (born 16 June 1929) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played at outside left. Most of his career was spent with Plymouth Argyle (in two spells) and with Birmingham City during their most successful period in the 1950s. He is credited with being responsible for Birmingham's fans adopting Harry Lauder's song "Keep right on to the end of the road" as their anthem.

Biography

Alex Govan was born in Glasgow, Scotland. As a schoolboy he played football for Bridgeton Boys Club, and was capped for Scotland at schoolboy level. He was spotted by Plymouth Argyle manager Jack Tresadern, given a trial at the club, and eventually persuaded to make the long trip south to sign as an apprentice. Govan admits there was an incentive apart from the football:

He also played one game for Scotland at youth level against Wales youth team in 1945. He scored 30 goals in 117 appearances for Plymouth, and was part of the team that won the Third Division South championship in the 1951–52 season.

Govan

Coordinates: 55°51′41″N 4°18′30″W / 55.8615°N 4.3083°W / 55.8615; -4.3083

Govan (/ˈɡʌvən/ GUV-ən; Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Ghobhainn) is a district, parish, and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick. Historically it was part of the County of Lanark.

According to medieval legend, Constantine, a 7th-century King of Strathclyde, founded a monastery under the rule of Columbanus in Govan. During the Middle Ages, Govan was the site of a ferry which linked the area with Partick for seasonal cattle drovers. In the 18th and 19th centuries, textile mills and coal mining were important; in the early 19th century shipbuilding emerged as Govan's principal industry. In 1864, Govan gained burgh status, and was Scotland's fifth largest burgh. It was incorporated into the city of Glasgow in 1912.

History

Early history

Govan (disambiguation)

Govan is a district in Glasgow, Scotland. "Govan" may also refer to:

See also

Govan (ward)

Govan is one of the 21 wards of Glasgow City Council. It represents Govan. There are 4 members for this area.

The areas within the former Govan Burgh; Drumoyne, Ibrox, Linthouse and Plantation are all included within the Ward with the addition of Shieldhall, Craigton, Bellahouston, Kinning Park, Kingston and Tradeston.

A by-election took place in this ward on 10 October 2013 following the death of SNP's councillor, Allison Hunter, and resulted in a Labour gain. The population of Govan in 2011 was 30,089, here is the ethnic makeup of Govan.

78.5% White British

10.5% Asian

3.3% Black

2013 by-election result