After short spells with Blantyre Celtic and Fraserburgh, utility player Jackie Millsopp joined Celtic in September 1948, spending the next few seasons as a reserve team player, standing in occasionally when required for the likes of Charlie Tully at outside-right, Joe Baillie in the left half position, Bobby Evans in the right-half role he assumed at that period or even Jock Weir at centre-forward, when the ex-Blackburn player was injured.
In the summer of 1951, Celtic took Jackie on the tour of North America, the first since 1931, when the Scottish Cup was again on show to the fans and Celtic finished with a record of P13 W9 D1 L3 F48 A18, with all these matches being played between 23 May and 29 June. It might have been an unforgettable experience for the players but it would appear to have been a pretty exhausting one too.
Jackie was taken ill after training on 9 September 1952 and taken to hospital where he was operated on for appendicitis. Tragically, complications set in and he died on this day in 1952 in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary at the age of 22.
Many Happy Returns to Jim Dobbin, who made 12 appearances for Celtic in midfield between 1980 and 1984.
Jim Craig
Have you signed up for the new fans forum yet?
The CELTIC NOISE is the vibrant new fans forum where all Celtic supporters are welcome! Registering is very easy – it takes just 30 seconds – so what are you waiting for? Join in the Celtic conversation now!
Three of the Celtic fans sites – this one (The Celtic Star), The Celtic Blog and Video Celts have all joined forces to bring you The Celtic Noise and it has got off to a great start. Please have a look.
David Potter set this quiz, question 6 is tricky as Celtic weren’t PLAYING that day, they were WATCHING! Ten multiple choice questions – see if you can get a perfect score!
