Known as the ‘Wizard of the Dribble’, outside-left Bobby Templeton was renowned throughout Britain for his fine play and the Celtic fans were delighted when he joined the club from Woolwich Arsenal in May 1906.
On this day in that same year, Bobby made his debut against Kilmarnock, scoring once in the 5-0 victory.
At that time, the Celtic side was in the third season of its six-in-a-row championship-winning run, the small pool of players all known to each other and with a definitive style of play. This involved a passing game and while Bobby Templeton was undoubtedly a wonderful player, who had some great moments in a Celtic jersey, like the Cup final win of 1907 against Hearts at Ibrox, he also displeased his boss Willie Maley with some selfish displays, particularly on the tour of Denmark in 1907.
When he heard the crowd chanting Bobby’s name as he went on some mazy but pointless runs, Maley was so incensed that he put Templeton in goal for the final two matches of the tour.
Bobby had scored 5 goals in 36 matches that season but had also reached the point of no return with Celtic. On the 18 October 1907, he was transferred to Kilmarnock.
Many Happy Returns to Mike Jackson, born on this day in 1939.
Mike joined Celtic from Benburb Juniors in July 1957 and went on to make 74 appearances for the Hoops with 30 goals to his name. He then had spells with St Johnstone and Third Lanark before moving into coaching and management, with posts at Morton, Queen of the South and Partick Thistle.
Jim Craig
