Career
Born in Milngavie near Glasgow, Bethune began his career by playing local football in the Glasgow area for Ashfield. He joined Edinburgh-based side Heart of Midlothian in 1912, for whom he played three times in the Scottish League in a brief spell with them before moving to English clubs Darlington and then Barnsley still within 1912. He settled in Barnsley for almost eight years in a period that was interrupted by the First World War, making over 100 Football League appearances for them.
Bethune, who was known to have a quick temper, joined Bristol Rovers in 1920 for their first season as a Football League club but left for a trial with Brentford in 1921.
He played six League games during his trial, and a further four after signing for them permanently, but an injury suffered on Boxing Day that year ended his League career. He went on to play non-League football for Sittingbourne and Sittingbourne Paper Mills, and after retiring as a football player represented England at indoor bowls in 1936 and 1938.