Hail Hail History: Celtic and the five Deaths of the Monarch

The King’s death also raised questions still evident in 2022 about anti-Catholic aspects in appointing a new monarch. In 1910, John Redmond MP – an Irish nationalist that had previously attended Celtic games – complained about anti-Catholic language in the Accession Oath taken by the new king, George V.

The week before King Edward died Celtic had made history by winning the championship for a then record-breaking sixth time in a row, an achievement for which the Bhoys later received a special shield from the Scottish League.

Celtic’s final game before King Edward’s death was much less successful. On 2 May 1910, a 1-0 defeat by Third Lanark knocked the Celts out of the Glasgow Charity Cup and ended their season. Edward VII died on a Friday and whilst many events were then cancelled, football went ahead as planned the next day. According to one newspaper, “Drooping flags and mourning bands worn by the players” reflected national events. However Celtic’s season was already finished so they did not participate.

The Glasgow Charity Cup semi-finals took place, with Celtic’s conquerors Third Lanark beating Queen’s Park 2-0 whilst Clyde overcame Rangers 1-0. Clyde went on to win the trophy the following Saturday, 8-3 on corners after a 1-1 draw.

In Edinburgh the local Charity Cup was also played. Hibs triumphed 1-0 over Hearts, and then won the competition the next week by beating Leith Athletic 2-0. Numerous other charity matches were played on Saturday 14 May. The Southern Counties contest was won by Dumfries who were assisted by Willie Kivlichan of Celtic. He was best known for playing for Celtic and Rangers as well as being the Celtic doctor that treated John Thomson when he was killed in 1931.

As with the 2022 decision to cancel matches, the 1910 decision to play games was not universally popular. The Scottish Referee published an article defending this, saying:

“It could not escape notice that while the sports programme on Saturday was swept pretty clean by the sorrowful news of the King’s death, the football was played in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The reason why this was done was because the matches which had been arranged for the afternoon were in charity’s cause, all three games being one or other of the two leading Scottish Charity Cup competitions. As no profit falls to the clubs, the fact should disarm criticism.”

By the time King Edward’s funeral was held – on Friday 20 May – football games were finished. But there was still one timing clash which affected the Bhoys: the Celtic Sports Day.

In Celtic’s early years – although football was obviously the main priority – numerous other sports events were organised by the club, including athletics and cycling. The 1910 event took place the day after the King’s funeral. Tickets were sold throughout the ‘mourning’ period and, as ever, a good crowd attended.

It was more than a quarter of a century until the next death of a British monarch: Edward VII died on Monday 20 January 1936; his funeral was held just over a week later on 28 January.

The first set of fixtures due to take place after the King’s death were Scottish Cup ties on Saturday 25 January (three days before the funeral). Some newspapers had reported that football would be cancelled on the Saturday but this proved to be wrong. All matches were to go ahead as planned, although no games were allowed in Scotland on the day of the funeral (unlike in England).

A letter from the Secretary of the Scottish FA – George Graham – was sent to newspapers and clubs outlining other arrangements which would take place to acknowledge the King’s death. These included flags being “at half-mast” and “crepe armlets, which shall be worn by players, referees and linesmen”. In addition a “period of silence” was to be held before kick-off and – if any bands were in attendance – “suitable music … and the national anthem” too.

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