John Ross Gilligan (1884–1946) was a Scottish footballer who played as a defender, almost solely for Clyde.
In his first season with the club (having quickly moved on from his first professional appointment on the other side of Glasgow at Partick Thistle),1904-05, Partick Thistle - The Early Years he won the 1904–05 Scottish Division Two title. The team was relegated, but gained promotion again in 1906 and retained their place in the top tier for the rest of his time there, including two third-place finishes which equal their all-time highest placings. He also played in the 1912 Scottish Cup Final which Clyde lost to Celtic.Association Football. Celtic Supreme., The Glasgow Herald, 8 April 1912
The sole representative honour Gilligan received was a selection for the Glasgow Football Association's annual challenge match against Sheffield in 1909.Football. Glasgow v. Sheffield., The Glasgow Herald, 21 October 1909 In 1911 he was granted a benefit match against his hometown club Dundee.Clyde, 1; Dundee 0, the Glasgow Herald, 12 April 1911, via Partick Thistle History Archive
He was the youngest of four brothers who were professional footballers, the others being Sandy, Billy and Sam.Kenneth Campbell's life story – Part IV, The Weekly News, 28 May 1921, via Play Up LiverpoolPersonalia – Sam Gilligan, Liverpool F.C., Joint Everton and Liverpool Match Programme, 15 October 1910, via Play Up Liverpool
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