John Thomson’s memory will never be forgotten by his Celtic family…

John Thomson is a name that all Celtic supporters are aware of. John may have been in possession of the goalkeeper jersey nigh on a century ago, but his name is one that supporters of all generations can still recall in an instant.

The Kirkcaldy born keeper signed for the club straight from the mining pits in 1926 at the age of 17 for the sum of £10 and made his first team debut a year later. Despite it being quite unheard of in those days for a youngster to be handed the goalkeeping position, John took it in his stride and soon made the spot his own.

Despite being only 5ft 8 inches tall, which these days is considered small for a keeper, John imposed himself with his bravery and athleticism which made him a top class goalkeeper. Just under 200 appearances for the club with a record of 64 shutouts is testament to that.

John also won two Scottish cups with the club as well as representing Scotland on four occasions registering three shutouts.

Then tragically on the 5th day of September in 1931 at the age of only 22 John was killed in an accidental collision with Rangers striker Sam English. John as ever bravely went for the ball and the Rangers striker was as equally committed but unfortunately caught John on the head.

John was tragically killed doing what he loved the most and that was playing football. His death affected everyone not just Celtic as a football club, but society as a whole, as he was just a young man taken from us so young.

Future generations will quite rightly always remember John Thomson and rightly so. He may be long gone, but he has never be forgotten by his Celtic family and he never will.

Celtic stories are passed down the generations and everyone reading The Celtic Star will have heard the John Thomson many times from older family members.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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