In 1889 the town of Middlesbrough already had a football club. Middlesbrough F.C.. But its leadership seemed to want it to remain amateur, whilst some of the membership were for a professional one. The results were first a rebellion and, when not resolved, a split, a schism and the foundation that year of a new club, Middlesbrough Ironopolis, and finally within a week of the birth of the new club in town itself turning professional.

In fact Ironopolis was to exist for only six seasons. It would fold in 1894 but in the meantime its team would contain a strong Scottish element, importing four to six, albeit journeyman, players at any one time, as the club started in the Northern League, winning the title three years in succession. But it was without promotion until 1893, when success was achieved in the form of a place in the Football League's Second Division and despite good runs in the Cup, which saw in 1892-3 a run to the Quarter-Final.

But all this had been done with the club, even with a 14,000 capacity Paradise Ground, which unable to cover costs and perhaps one other factor. At the meeting that had led to schism in the chair was Malcolm MacDonald., who was a Scottish foreman plater. He stated that the idea was "to establish a club, which should be carried on according to its own views, which were not in accordance with the committee of the existing club" and only resolution was that "a new football club be formed for the promotion of good football". MacDonald of 13 Pembroke St. in the town was elected Vice-President, second highest shareholder with eleven of 93. Only John Boulds, club chairman, local shipyard manager born in London but brought up in Greenock held more so there is no doubt of the Scots commitment.

So was he? The answer is we do not know. What is known is that he was itinerant. He was born in about 1859, by one report 1858. By 1884, so by twenty-five, he gone South, that year marrying Johnina McKenna from Howdon on Tyneside in Sunderland, they having two children there a third in 1887 on the Isle of Wight and a fourth in Jarrow before settling in Linthorpe in Middlesbrough. And by 1899 he was dead, Johnina and family in 1901 living back running a lodging-house on Wearside, she a widow, she having had a fifth child there two years earlier, "father unknown".

And his passing is said to have already taken place in 1991, might have explained or at least contributed to the Ironopolis demise. With mounting financial problems and without his inaugural drive perhaps his early death was the straw that counted.