Career
He featured prominently in Bristol City"s successes in the first decade of the 20th century under manager Harry Thickett. He also played for Sunderland, Sheffield United, and Burslem Portuguese Vale. He helped Bristol City to the Second Division title in 1905-1906, a second-place finish in the First Division in 1906-1907, and also played in the final in 1909.
Born in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 1880, he was the youngest of 13 children.
A lifelong teetotaller, Annan joined local club West Calder in August 1899, before moving onto Edinburgh Street Bernards in May 1900. Number Scottish league appearances are recorded for either club
In April 1902 he moved to Sunderland in the First Division of the Football League. In January 1904 he moved on to Sheffield United, and made his league debut for the "Blades" at left back in a 2–0 defeat at Everton on 9 January 1904.
He made a total of nine appearances at full back, deputising for Harry Thickett and Boyle in 1903-1904.
Annan made 18 appearances in 1904-1905, as United finished sixth in the First Division. Annan followed manager Harry Thickett to Ashton Gate for £200 in April 1905. Ever present again for a second successive season in 1906-1907, City finished the campaign as runners-up in the First Division.
Annan played just 13 games in 1907-1908 as new signing Bob Young was preferred at right-back.
He made a further 28 appearances in 1909-1910, and was again replaced by Bob Young in the later stages of the season. Annan did not feature in the City team in the 1910-1911 season, as Bristol City were relegated back to the Second Division.
The final league match of the season, a 1–0 defeat to Everton on 29 April 1911, was awarded as a joint benefit for Arthur Spear and Archie Annan, although neither played in the game. In July 1911, Annan moved onto Burslem Portuguese Vale.
He failed to hold onto his first team place upon his recovery, and was released at the end of the 1911-1912 season, after picking up a Central League runners-up medal.
He subsequently returned to Bristol City in March 1921 and spent five years as coach at the club He was later a police constable stationed at Street George in Bristol. with Burslem Portuguese Vale.