Charlie Napier, born on this day in 1910, made his debut for Celtic against Queen’s Park in 1929 and at the beginning of the decade of the 1930s, had established himself in the first-team, where his cultured play and good control earned him the nickname of ‘Happy Feet’.
In the Scottish Cup final of 1931, with the Bhoys two-down to Motherwell eight minutes from time, it was Charlie Napier who found Jimmy McGrory with a lobbed free-kick to kick-start one of the greatest comebacks in the club’s history. Celtic drew the match 2-2 and in the replay the following Wednesday, they thrashed the Steelmen 4-2 to take the trophy back to Parkhead for the 13th time.
Charlie had another starring role as Celtic beat Motherwell again in the 1933 Scottish Cup Final and was capped 5 times for Scotland, becoming the first Celtic star to play at Wembley. However, just before the start of season 1935/36, he asked for better terms which Willie Maley – acting on behalf of the Celtic Board – was unwilling to meet.
So, after 200 appearances and 92 goals for Celtic, Charlie Napier moved to Derby County on 12 June 1935. He died in Falkirk on 5 September 1973.
Many Happy returns to Stan Varga, born on this day in 1972.
Jim Craig
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