We have a proud collection of books in our library at The Celtic Star, and we are set to add another to the shelf in the near future with the forthcoming publication of Celtic In The Second World War. You can read more about that project by clicking HERE and you can follow @celticww2 on Twitter for regular updates from author Liam Kelly.
We have been posting previews from the book at various intervals, but tonight we bring you an unusual anecdotal tale that has supplemented the project’s research. This is a great story involving a Celtic supporting priest, the club’s centre forward, and a Glasgow Derby victory in 1943!
Last week, I was talking to a friend named Charlie McGinley about some of the Celtic books in his collection. When he asked me if I was planning to write another book myself, I told him about the World War II project that I am undertaking and he went on to tell me the following:
“Celtic signed a player with the same name as me – Charlie McGinley – from Clydebank Boys Guild in March 1943.
In September that year, Celtic played Rangers in a Southern League match one Saturday and a priest in Clydebank was taking confession that evening. In those days it wasn’t uncommon to wait until 7pm to hear the football scores on the radio, so, impatient to know the result, the priest asked his first five parishioners if they knew the Celtic score. Some didn’t know the game was on, and none had any idea of the result.
Just before 6pm, a man arrived for confession and the priest asked him if he knew how Celtic got on. The man replied “We won 1-0 father.” Noting the use of “We”, the priest asked if the man had been at the game; he replied “Yes father, I scored.”
The man was Charles McGinley, who had gone straight from the match to the chapel!”
The goal actually went down as an own goal in the newspaper reports of the time. However, it was noted that McGinley had applied pressure to Adam Little, who turned into his own net.
When I asked how my friend came to hear of this story, he replied: “The reason I know this is because the priest in the story told me… after he helped to get my car started when it broke down outside Hampden in 1960. Having got the car moving, he asked me to give him a lift to the chapel just off Paisley Road West and when I mentioned my name during the short journey, he told me that I had a namesake who played for Celtic in the War, before telling me what I’ve just relayed to you.”
A great story, involving a Celtic supporting priest and the club’s centre forward, after a Glasgow Derby victory in 1943
Enjoy 🍀⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bRYz26iYdJ
— Celtic In The Second World War (@celticww2) June 5, 2022
This little anecdote has proven popular on Twitter, with lots of the Celtic forward’s family joining the discussion. I have now been in touch with the families of Joe Carruth, Frank Murphy and Charles McGinley. If your uncle, father, grandfather etc. played for Celtic in the Second World War, then we would love to hear your stories.
Let us know in the comments or via Twitter – @Celticww2
FATHER’S DAY – SUNDAY 19 JUNE
Father’s Day in on Sunday 19 June and The Celtic Star has it covered. Choose from a FREE Harry Hood or Tom Rogic t-shirt when selecting to order Twice as Good or Invincible from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s new book – Willie Fernie Putting on the Style is out now and we also have copies of his previous book, published Alec McNair Celtic’s Icicle. All orders will be posted straight away and in plenty of time for your Dad’s big day on Sunday 19 June. Order using the link below.
Order Willie Fernie – Putting on The Style by clicking on the image below…
Order Harry Hood – Twice as Good by clicking on the image below (that’s the graphic from the t-shirt, so please tell us the size you’d like (small, medium, large, XL or XXL) via the Notes section on the order page.
Order Alec McNair Celtic’s Icicle here for just £10 plus P&P…
And finally you can order Invincible using this link below and again you will get this t-shirt, available in Large, XL and XXL)…again please tell us your required size in the Notes section when ordering the book.
