“Among the galaxy of talented goalkeepers whom Celtic have had, the late lamented John Thomson was the greatest,” Willie Maley…
CELTIC Supporters have this morning – as they always do on this, the sad day in our club’s history – been remembering and paying their respects to goalkeeper John Thomson who in this day in 1931 lost his life while playing for Celtic against Rangers at Ibrox.
James Hanley, in his book The Celtic Story (1960) wrote: “It is hard for those who did not know him to appreciate the power of the spell he cast on all who watched him regularly in action. ‘A man who has not read Homer,’ wrote Bagehot, ‘is like a man who has not seen the ocean. There is a great object of which he has no idea.’
“In like manner, a generation that did not see John Thomson has missed a touch of greatness in sport, for which he was a brilliant virtuoso, as Gigli was and Menuhin is. One artiste employs the voice as his instrument, another the violin or cello. For Thomson it was a handful of leather. We shall not look upon his like again.”
READ THIS…A Familiar Face was Missing
In his book, The Story of the Celtic; 1888-1938, Willie Maley, manager of the club at the time of the tragedy, wrote: “Among the galaxy of talented goalkeepers whom Celtic have had, the late lamented John Thomson was the greatest. A Fifeshire friend recommended him to the club. We watched him play. We were impressed so much that we signed him when he was still in his teens. That was in 1926. Next year he became our regular goalkeeper, and was soon regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the country.
“But, alas, his career was to be short. In September, 1931, playing against Rangers at Ibrox Park, he met with a fatal accident. Yet he had played long enough to gain the highest honours football had to give. A most likeable lad, modest and unassuming, he was popular wherever he went.
“His merit as a goalkeeper shone superbly in his play. Never was there a keeper who caught and held the fastest shots with such grace and ease. In all he did there was the balance and beauty of movement wonderful to watch. Among the great Celts who have passed over, he has an honoured place.”
Best of luck to everyone who will be in attendance at today’s remembrance of John Thomson in Cardenden 💚@CelticGraves Keep up the great work! pic.twitter.com/O6jdQn703P
— Eddy Grady (@EddyGrady) September 5, 2021
Celtic FC: “The final thought on the tragic events of September 1931 is to remember the epitaph on John Thomson’s gravestone, which reads:
“They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind.”
Morning all, today we remember John Thomson who lost his life 90 years ago in a tragic accident which occurred in a Rangers v Celtic match at Ibrox… 'Farewell my darling Johnny. Prince of players we must part, no more we'll stand and cheer you on the slopes of Celtic Park.' pic.twitter.com/7vGBZdOaFx
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) September 5, 2021
Celtic supporters still make the pilgrimage to Cardenden to visit John Thomson's graveside. Today many do it to raise money for good causes and that's a fitting memorial to a fine young player and by all accounts a real gentleman. pic.twitter.com/ntrtgA6Ijs
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) September 5, 2021
Celtic in the USA in 1931. That cup winning side would be touched by tragedy as John Thomson, Peter Scarff and Bert Thompson would all pass away at very young ages. pic.twitter.com/7kGbteHdYY
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) September 5, 2021
— Celtic Wiki (@TheCelticWiki) September 4, 2021
I took a trip to Parkhead,
To the dear old Paradise,
And as the players came out,
Sure the tears fell from my eyes.For a famous face was missing,
From the green and white brigade,
And they told me Johnny Thomson,
His last game he had played.#Celtic #JohnThomson #JT90 pic.twitter.com/lyBGyCSDw3— Robert Galbraith (@robertgal2107) September 5, 2021
Farewell our darling Johnny ☘ pic.twitter.com/sG205ZcqOf
— Garngad Man (@9Garngad) September 5, 2021
My thoughts today are very much with the family of former Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper John Thomson who tragically died from injuries suffered on the field of play 90 years ago today. “They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind” #RIP pic.twitter.com/3JDIBV60AX
— ally begg ⭐️⭐️ (@ally_begg) September 5, 2021
Remembering courageous young Celtic GoalKeeper John Thomson on this the 90th anniversary of his truly tragic death while doing what he loved to do GBNF YNWA ⚽️💚🍀 pic.twitter.com/6AB4PV1jXK
— Mandy (@hoopsghirl88) September 5, 2021
Spare a thought today for poor Sam English, a young man caught up in a dreadful set of circumstances. His life was never the same after the accident with John Thomson. He was entirely blameless despite the cruel barracking he received from some supporters https://t.co/egs6A5Q5QQ pic.twitter.com/GPhSS3mjGq
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) September 5, 2021