Jim Craig – Future Celtic chairman Desmond White and Jimmy McGrory’s last ever Celtic goal

By season 1937/38, the pressures of being the main man in the Celtic forward line were beginning to take their toll on Jimmy McGrory.

He was still keeping his place in the side and scoring but he also knew that he was slowing and that the aches and pains were taking longer to disappear.

In that season, the Celtic star had played 10 games and scored 5 goals, which would have been a good return for most players but did not match up to his own high standard.

On this day in 1937, Jimmy McGrory ran out at Parkhead to face Queen’s Park in a League match at Celtic Park. All around him were guys that he had played with for some time – Joe Kennaway, Bobby Hogg, Jock Morrison, Chic Geatons, Alex Miller (standing in for the injured Willie Lyon), Johnny Crum, Malky MacDonald, Willie Buchan and Frank Murphy.

He gave his all, of course, and unfortunately, was injured later in the match but he did score one of Celtic’s goals in the 4-3 win, naturally with his head, flicking it past the Queen’s Park keeper, future Celtic chairman Desmond White.

It was Jimmy McGrory’s last match and final goal for Celtic and within weeks, he would be appointed manager of Kilmarnock.

On this day in 1864 in Paisley, Dan Doyle was born.

Dan’s footballing career started in his teen years and would go on to cover many clubs. Rawyard Juniors, Darngavil, Slamannan Barnsmuir, Broxburn Shamrock, Hibs 1886, Broxburn Shamrock 1887, East Stirlingshire 1887, Sunderland 1888, Hibs again 1888, Newcastle East End 1888, Grimsby Town 1888, Bolton Wanderers 1889, Everton 1889.

Two years later, Dan arrived at Celtic Park and found some stability, appearing in 133 matches for Celtic over the following eight years, with 6 goals to his name.

He was treasured by the fans although it would also be true to say that he provided some off-field problems to be dealt with, initially by the Celtic committee which ran the club and then, from 1897, by new manager Willie Maley.

Dan Doyle died in Glasgow Cancer Hospital on 8 April 1918 at the age of 54.

Jim Craig

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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