Stewart McNab Adam Scullion, born on 18 April 1946 in the small Scottish town of Bo’ness, was destined to carve a round ball career that spanned both the grimy terraces of English football and the sun-soaked pitches of North America. Moving to England at the tender age of thirteen, he attended Bourne Secondary School in Ruislip, where he quickly had to adapt to a new culture and a different style of football.
PART ONE
Scullion’s formative years in football were modest but formative, beginning at amateur side Chesham United in the Athenian League, where the grassroots nature of the game honed his work ethic and provided the perfect stage for a young winger desperate to impress. Moreover, this period instilled in him the resilience that would later be crucial in navigating the peaks and valleys of professional football.
In November 1964, he signed amateur terms with Charlton Athletic, and three months later, turned professional; however, despite this promising step, he never made a league appearance for Charlton, a detail that might have disheartened a lesser player, yet it only sharpened his resolve.
Come February 1966, and Scullion joined Watford under the management of Ken Furphy, a move that involved the club sending Cliff Holton in the opposite direction—a swap that, in hindsight, would be the first chapter in what became a long and complicated but ultimately rewarding association with the Hornets.
At Watford, Scullion’s career began to gather momentum, and it was on 25 January 1969 that he announced himself on a grand stage by scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup Fourth Round, a goal that not only highlighted his deftness in front of goal but also showed a certain fearlessness in taking on one of the giants of English football.
The replay, three days later, ended 2–0 to United, but the game had attracted Watford’s highest-ever attendance of 34,099, and Scullion’s contribution ensured his place in the club’s folklore. As a result, Watford clinched promotion as Third Division champions at the end of the 1968–69 season, marking the first major silverware in Scullion’s career, and underscoring his emerging reputation as a winger capable of influencing matches on the biggest stages, even for a club not blessed with a superstar roster.
Following his initial stint at Watford, Scullion’s talents attracted the attention of Sheffield United, who secured his services in May 1971 for £25,000, a sum that, while modest by modern standards, represented a significant vote of confidence in his ability to perform consistently in the Football League Second Division.
At Bramall Lane, Scullion featured in 57 league matches over two and a half years, scoring seven goals, but it was the return to Watford in December 1973, this time for £15,000, that would truly demonstrate his affinity for the club. While Watford finished a respectable seventh in his first full season back, the team suffered relegation to the Fourth Division in the subsequent campaign, a humbling period that nonetheless provided Scullion with a platform to show his determination to lift those around him and contribute wherever possible.
PART TWO
In May 1975, Scullion embarked on a bold and adventurous new chapter, moving temporarily across the Atlantic to join Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League, a league that, while less established than its European counterparts, offered a unique blend of athleticism, spectacle, and the chance for players like Scullion to take their craft into uncharted territory.
In his first season, he scored seven goals in eighteen NASL appearances, helping the Rowdies clinch the Eastern Division, and then contributed to Tampa’s 2–0 victory over Portland Timbers in the playoff final, a triumph that cemented his status as an instant fan favourite.
What’s more, his performances earned him a place in the NASL Second All-Star Team, an accolade that underscored his seamless adaptation to a new style of play and his consistent impact on the pitch, and paved the way for a permanent transfer in February 1976 for a modest £8,000.
The following year saw Scullion continue to dazzle in Florida, scoring ten goals in 24 appearances during the 1976 season and helping the Rowdies secure the Eastern Division Atlantic Conference, with his efforts again earning recognition in the All-Star Second Team.
Beyond his statistical contributions, Scullion’s presence in Tampa infused the team with creativity and unpredictability, as his dribbling, crossing, and ability to stretch defences made him a constant threat, and his influence extended beyond mere goals, as he orchestrated attacks and provided a reliable outlet for his teammates in critical moments.
Moreover, his versatility was demonstrated by his role in Tampa Bay’s indoor success that year, winning the NASL Spring indoor tournament, which further highlighted his adaptability and flair in varying football environments.
Following a brief return to England with Wimbledon for the 1976–77 season, Scullion resumed his North American career with the Portland Timbers, where he spent three seasons from 1977 to 1979. During this period, he added both experience and leadership to the squad, influencing younger players and contributing crucial goals while navigating the rigours of a transatlantic footballing lifestyle, which required adjusting to different pitches, climates, and styles of play.
In addition, his time with Portland was punctuated by a brief stint with English non-league side Hayes, to which he returned for a final season in 1981–82, showing a career-long willingness to continue contributing to the game even outside the most glamorous stages.
PART THREE
Beyond club football, Scullion’s impact extended to unique competitions, most notably the 1976 U.S.A. Bicentennial Cup Tournament, held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
This tournament featured heavyweights such as Brazil, England, and Italy, as well as Team America, a composite squad of NASL players under the tutelage of Ken Furphy. Scullion, playing alongside legends like Pelé, Bobby Moore, and Giorgio Chinaglia, managed to score Team America’s only goal in a 3–1 defeat to England, a testament not only to his individual skill but also to his ability to rise to occasions that combined international spectacle with the challenge of integrating seamlessly into a makeshift team.
Undoubtedly, Scullion’s career was defined not only by the goals he scored or the matches he influenced but also by his character off the pitch, which combined the approachable, grounded sensibility of a small-town boy with the confidence and flair of a seasoned professional. Indeed, his journey from Bo’ness to England, and then across the Atlantic to the sunlit stadiums of Tampa Bay and Portland, was a narrative threaded with adaptability, perseverance, and a refusal to be confined by convention.
In contrast to the media frenzy surrounding bigger names, Scullion’s footballing life was defined by steady excellence rather than headline-grabbing flamboyance, yet it is precisely this reliability and understated brilliance that endears him to football historians and fans alike. Even so, his story serves as a reminder that the measure of a player’s career cannot always be confined to silverware or personal accolades alone; instead, it is the cumulative effect of influence, adaptability, and moments of inspiration that define their true legacy.