Matt Corr – And they gave us James McGrory and Danny Dawson

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As well as recalls for Danny Dawson and John Fitzsimons, that would mean a debut for Uddingston-born keeper, Tom Doyle, in the Hoops goal. All three youngsters would acquit themselves well, The Scotsman reporting that Doyle ‘executed a masterly save from Yardley, turning a cartwheel in doing so’. Sadly, the experienced hosts would prove far too strong for the makeshift Hoops on the night. Thirds legend, Jimmy Carabine hit the crossbar from the penalty spot, when conversion would have established a 5-1 lead, Jimmy Yardley having previously scored twice, with Willie Buchan scoring a late consolation goal, his second of the match, to enable Celts to escape with a rather-flattering 4-2 defeat.

John Fitzsimmons

John Fitzsimons would play just one more game for Celtic after that night, almost exactly one year later, on Saturday, 26 March 1938, for the visit of Ayr United. He again replaced Frank Murphy, who had been injured in the 1-1 home draw with Third Lanark the previous week. At left-back that day, making his one and only first-team appearance in the Hoops, was a young man with a name associated with Celtic from the early years. Not to be confused with the Irish patriot who laid the first sod of turf on the present Celtic Park back in August 1892, full-back Michael Davitt was nearing three years at the club since his arrival from junior side, St Francis in June 1935.

He would emerge with credit, as would John Fitzsimons, as Celtic eased ever closer to a second title in three seasons with another point, following a second consecutive 1-1 draw, Malcolm MacDonald equalising just before half-time. In a curious twist, the Ayr United striker that day was Jimmy Yardley, who had scored twice for Third Lanark in John’s previous match in the Hoops twelve months earlier.

And as a ‘Celtic trivia’ footnote to Michael’s Parkhead career, his granddaughter would become Mrs Gerry Britton several decades later, after marrying the prolific reserve striker, currently chief executive across the city at Partick Thistle.

Whilst Michael Davitt would remain on the sidelines at the ground even beyond the outbreak of war, John Fitzsimons would be on his way within a month, freed by Celtic at the end of April before joining Second Division Alloa Athletic on 20 June 1938.

He would help his new club gain promotion in his first season at Recreation Park, albeit the war would end that campaign after just five games, in September 1939, with the new Regional Leagues introduced the following month. After leaving Alloa in 1940, Fitzsimons would spend two seasons at Clyde then enjoy a four-year spell at Falkirk from July 1942. John surely created an unique record, by appearing three times in twelve months against his old Celtic colleagues whilst with three different clubs, scoring twice.

He would play for Falkirk against Celtic at Brockville on Saturday, 2 November 1946, as the Scottish League resumed after a seven-year absence, scoring the Bairns’ goal in a 4-1 defeat, then, having moved to Hamilton Academical on 21 December, he appeared in their line-up at Celtic Park seven days later, as the green-and-white Hoops won 2-1.

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About Author

Having retired from his day job Matt Corr can usually be found working as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park, or if there is a Marathon on anywhere in the world from as far away as Tokyo or New York, Matt will be running for the Celtic Foundation. On a European away-day, he's there writing his Diary for The Celtic Star and he's currently completing his first Celtic book with another two planned.

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