After coming through the ranks at Celtic Boys Club, Charlie Nicholas signed for Celtic on 18 June 1979. He made his first team debut when he came on as a substitute in a league match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on 16 August 1980 and went on to score 28 goals in 45 matches that season.
In the following season of 1981-82, Charlie suffered a leg break in a reserve match against Morton and only made 14 appearances, scoring 5 times. Then, in the campaign of 1982-83, Charlie was back to his best, knocking in 46 goals in 52 matches.
However, whether it was the bright lights of the English game or just a wish to play down south, Charlie asked Celtic for a move and on this day in 1983, he was transferred to Arsenal for a reputed fee of around £700,000.
The ‘Wizard of Dribble’, also called Bobby Templeton, was born on this day at Coylton in 1879.
Bobby had a fairly nomadic career in football, starting off at Irvine Heatherbell and Westmount Juveniles, before setting off on his travels which would take him through Kilmarnock Roslyn 1896, Neilston Victoria, Kilmarnock Rugby X1 1897, Aston Villa 1898, Newcastle United 1903 and Woolwich Arsenal in 1904 before joining Celtic on 17th May 1906.
Bobby only played that one season for Celtic – taking part in 36 games and scoring 5 goals – before heading to Kilmarnock.
Bobby Templeton was a wonderful talent but is also remembered for his courage, as, on 28 August 1908 (after a match against Celtic at Parkhead) he stepped into the lion’s cage at Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie in New City Road. The proprietors awarded him a gold medal for bravery.
Jim Craig
